Finding their way through a massive landscape without a map a forest beetle enjoys the ride across the forest floor.
Tag: ecosystem
Small and smaller
Tiny white wildflowers gracing the forest floor measuring no more than a quarter inch in diameter become a great big world to this tiny mantis that I did not even notice in the photograph until I downloaded the photos. just another reminder that the abundance of life one our wonderful planet is small and sometimes even smaller than we see.
Eared Grebe
An Eared Grebe in early season plumage gets ready to move across the pond. Maybe it’s those red eyes but I would not want to find myself alone in a dark alley with a flock of these birds.
Cliff Swallow
A small Cliff Swallow looking just like the master predator she is takes a break from their tireless foraging on a small frond of grass.
Seeing a bird land easily on this small tuft of grass provided a reminder of just how small and light a cliff swallow must be. About an ounce.
Fledglings
(Multiple Photos)
Well it had to happen. These two Great Horned Owl youngsters finally left the comfort of their nest cavity in an old Cottonwood tree. We first spotted a single young owl on this branch but just as we got out the camera a second flew down and joined the first. The second owl waddled around on the branch and got all cozy with their sibling who seemed a bit annoyed at having to share their perch.
A moment latter the owl in front took a leap of faith, with eyes fully closed, and landed clumsily on the perch below.
I am not sure how adult owls handle it but watching fledgling owls learn to fly is sure a nerve wracking experience for me.
On a quiet day
Wandering the ponds and grasslands of Arapahoe National Wildlife Refuge on a quiet day and finding what we came for.
A quiet day.
Snowy Muzzle
This good looking guy with a bit of a snowy muzzle was photographed earlier this year. I am sure the grasslands where he roams are greening up, and even though he looked quite happy this snowy day, I bet he is happier now that spring has arrived.
Spring surprise
Within a day or so of the ice melting off this small pond a spring surprise occurred.
Ruffed Grouse
A female ruffed Grouse hanging out in a lodgepole pine along the trail as we skied on down the trail.
Specimen Creek in Yellowstone NP.
On a rainy afternoon
A male Red Winged Blackbird and a female Yellowheaded Blackbird making the most of a late afternoon April shower and definitely not singing in the rain.
nature has no boss 
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