Many Coots…flew the coop

On October 26, 2017October 26, 2017 By Mike and Christy26 Comments

Seems like this has been the year of many Coots and this day was no exception. While driving along in Wyoming we came across a lake that looked like it was filled with many Ducks however upon closer inspection it appeared to be filled to the brim with only Coots.

Well looks like I made a blunder and forgot the photo I had chosen for this post. I am away from my computer today so just imagine many coots on this nice fall pond. Not quite a majestic mountain lake at the base of a majestic mountain range but pretty nonetheless. Thanks to everyone who pointed out the missing photo.

So far from home

On October 25, 2017October 21, 2017 By Mike and Christy18 Comments

So close yet so fat from home a Sand Dollar washed up on the beach as the tide goes down. I can empathize with this guy as the west becomes more developed and the human heard marches across that landscape. Home feels so close yet so far away.

Horns Up

On October 24, 2017October 24, 2017 By Mike and Christy14 Comments

HL_4

Hunting for a meal in the dry grass a Horned Lark with those Horns up.

Pawnee National Grasslands, CO.

Watching the Weather

On October 23, 2017October 23, 2017 By Mike and Christy22 Comments

A beautiful fall afternoon in the Tetons spent watching the weather pass from Cloudy-to cloudy to mostly cloudy with the added bonus of beautiful fall colors.

Grand Teton National Park

Leaves and Lake

On October 22, 2017October 9, 2017 By Mike and Christy29 Comments

Golden fall colors reflecting upon Crown Hill lake. Wheat Ridge, CO.

Fall Robin

On October 21, 2017October 9, 2017 By Mike and Christy10 Comments

The robins have returned and are enjoying the fall in the forest nearby. We have so many around in spring and early summer and then the vanish only to return as fall begins.

I enjoy their company and are grateful for their return to our little woodland nearby.

Buffalo Fork

On October 16, 2017October 9, 2017 By Mike and Christy8 Comments

Snow up high and rain moving in down low along the Buffalo Fork of the Snake River in Wyoming. Fall colors in the Valley and dark clouds up high portend the early arrival of old man winter.

Milk Weed Seed

On October 15, 2017October 15, 2017 By Mike and Christy14 Comments

October is the time when Milk Weed releases it’s seeds and boy how I love looking at these. So many variations on a theme each unique in some wonderful way.

Quiet Time

On October 14, 2017October 9, 2017 By Mike and Christy17 Comments

With the firm arrival of fall comes a quieter time of year. The songbirds have left and the animals have hunkered down. There will be sunny days but the cloudy days become more frequent as October marches on.

Black Necked Stilt

On October 13, 2017October 8, 2017 By Mike and Christy10 Comments

One of my favorite wading birds is the Black Necked Stilt. The Audubon guide says “Everything about the Black-necked Stilt seems delicate — from its incredibly thin stilt-legs to its slim wings and its needle-like bill — yet it manages to thrive on the sun-baked flats around shallow lakes, some of them in searing climates.”

They are truly amazing birds and have the second longest leg length to body ratio of wading birds only surpassed by Flamingos.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-necked_Stilt/lifehistory

http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/black-necked-stilt

nature has no boss

Tag: ecosystem