A sure sign of spring is the arrival of Horned Larks scurrying about along the sides of rural gravel roads outside of town flying of into the still snow covered fields. Occasionally a bird will perch along the road along on the barbed wire or better yet a fence post and allow a quick portrait session to occur. This day a wonderful looking Horned Lark sat and perched for several minutes giving us a nice look and the chance for a few photos as well.
The Sandhill Cranes are filtering through the area this week. Sometimes in ones and twos sometimes in bigger groups. Most we just hear flying overhead but a couple have touched down for a quick regaling stop on their journeys north.
We encountered these two in an old farm field now for sale and with plans for development (probably another wonderful strip-mall) as other mall and townhouse are being built just behind them. It really drove home that habitat loss is occurring faster than you can shake a stick at and it really will not be long before the consequences are so few migrating large birds and animals they will feel extinct to most of us.
This Crane had very attractive plumage and I could spend hours admiring it.
The Cranes will be filtering through for the next month or so and I will enjoy every one I see.
Looks like somebody got a wake up call and right on time as well. With little holes poking through the still snow covered fields all through the valley the Prairie Dogs are definitely wake up. One big stretch, a quick look around and it time to go on this fine spring morning.
They sing with all their song.
And sing it all day long.
On a quiet country road in the grasslands of eastern Colorado.
Last Sunday the wind was blowing hard but that did not deter these little Tree Swallows from spending their day looking for a suitable summer residence and it sure seemed like box 29 was high on their list of desirable homes.
The competition was high and words of caution we flying as freely as these swallows glide through the skies.
A quick resting spot on the roof was in order and acceptable to both shoppers at box 29.
Photographed on a very windy morning at Hutton Lakes NWR, near Laramie WY.
Pssst…hey! why do keep trying to swat me, like, well a fly?
As the sun comes back from it’s winters journey south it brings a few less desirable visitors back with it. In this case a recent large hatch of flies. Buzzing about the house every which way, we try to put them out the door, but I admit a few get swatted along the way.
In between the swatting a few photos were taken and a conversation had.
You know that spot. The one you stop at and look at every time. Not the most spectacular or mind boggling landscape but the one that just makes you stop. I am sure we all have one or two or maybe three. They nourish and bring peace. They make the world have sense and meaning. You know that spot and it knows you.
Everywhere I go that spot seems to be in trouble. How can we help?
Seed in beak a Dark Eyed Junco is a welcome visitor on a early spring day. Although quiet now in a week or two the shrubs along the road nearby will be filled with their calls. There is no stoping mother nature.
Pine Siskins, always buzzing about in the tree tops letting you know when they are there. Sometimes you you see them and sometimes you don’t. Either way it’s wonderful experience and a great way to start the day. This dynamic duo perched upon a tree top just long enough for a quick photograph. Given the sounds a big group can make in a quiet forest it never ceases to amaze me just how little these guys are.
It’s always nice to have something you can count on. Although it may not always occur on your schedule or terms nature always makes good on the promise of spring.
nature has no boss 
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