A Clark’s Nutcracker enjoying an early fall day along the Lewis River Channel in Yellowstone National Park.
Tag: ecosystem
Just Nibbles
Fall is here and it is time to fatten up. This little Chipmunk was spending their afternoon scurrying about finding and then quickly scarfing down small little nibbles along side of the trail. Yellowstone National Park.
On the forest floor
After a mile or two of a hike that began in tall grassland and meadows we suddenly entered a stretch of trail that wound it’s way through a luxuriant forest filled with treasures of all kind. From beautiful Woodland Pinedrops to what seemed an unending variety of ground covers, the landscape was transformed. From dry to wet, from brown to green, you never know what you’ll find on the forest floor.
Unusual fungi and tiny white bells.
Life took many forms and all play a part in the ecosystem of the forest floor.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend and some time to explore.
Little Hunters
One sunny afternoon we noticed these little (less than an inch in length) Bluet Damselflies hovering and sometimes landing on the tiny flowers of a goldenrod plant. After taking a closer look and a few photos we discover why. They were hunting even smaller flies that were pollinating the flowers. The hunting forays appeared to be quite successful as they nabbed numerous meals on this one little stem.
Little hunters with a big appetite.
Two of a kind
Two of a kind…..Not the best hand to hold in a poker game but I will take this pair any day.
Above a beautiful purple Sticky Geranium brightens the trail…
…while below is its relative the Richardsons Geranium.
Two of a kind and a fine pair to encounter on a walk through the woods.
Loggerhead Shrike
Sitting on a fence post looking for his next victim is a Loggerhead Shrike. “These birds sit on low, exposed perches and scan for rodents, lizards, birds, and insects. They eat smaller prey (such as ground beetles) right away, but they are famous for impaling larger items on thorns or barbed wire to be eaten later. The species often hovers. When flying it uses bursts of very rapid wingbeats.”
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Loggerhead_Shrike/id
This time the victim was a large Grasshopper.
Which the Shrike Caught and them impailed on this barbed wire fence.
The Shrike let the Grasshopper be for a minute but quickly went to town on his meal.
Laramie, WY.
Laying low
This American Toad was spending the morning laying low just waiting to bugs to fly by and become their morning meal. If you look close I think you can see the evidence of a successful catch.
Dandelion Picking
A Black Headed Grosbeak working overtime on a wild dandelion patch in the mountains of Montana. Looks like he has a long day ahead of him.
Waiting for a Setting Sun
A great horned owl waiting for the sun to go down so their day can begin. Grand Teton National Park.
In The Willows
You never know what you will find hidden in the willows is what this guy was probably thinking when he noticed we were peeking in from the edge of his terrain. It always amazes me just how easy a creature the size of the moose can disappear from your sight with a simple step or two into the willows. Photographed near Cottonwood pass in Colorado.
nature has no boss 
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