Even at 6′ tall and weighing over 1,000 lbs this American Bison: Bison bison keeps an eye on us as we hike through their terrain in the morning light.
Tag: landscape
After a snow
After a snowy evening and long cold night a Swainsons Hawk uses a fence post to keep an eye out for a morning meal. Photographed on a quiet stretch of road in Northern Colorado.
Along the Rio Grande
A Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep grazing in the Rio Grande Gorge in NM. These guys were reintroduced to the region around 10 years ago and seem to be doing very well. We were surprised to observe several on recent hike in that area including one youngster grazing along with their Mom.
North American Badger: Taxidea taxus
Out on a hike amongst the fully blooming rabbit and sage brush we noticed numerous holes along the trail. Were they Marmot or perhaps Badger. Finally near the end of the hike the question was answered when we spotted this Badger off in the distance.
It was nice to see this Badger out foraging.
Badgers dig after and feed on ground squirrels and pocket gophers, and also eat toads, frogs, birds, snakes, insects and insect grubs, wasps, bees, and worms. They sleep through most of the winter in a den, spending about 29 hours at a time in a state of torpor, rousing briefly, and then sleeping again. In torpor, which is not true hibernation, the Badger’s heartbeat slows to about half the normal rate and its temperature drops.
Even with this great camouflage the Badger is at risk mostly from human activities such as habitat loss as well as hunting and trapping.
Enjoy your winter Mr. badger and we will see you after your Torpor.
Opalescent pool
Opalescent pool adding a bit of color to an other wise cloudy day.
Yellowstone National Park.
Standing Tall: Pinus ponderosa
While driving an old road in an area where recent fires scorched much of the forest we happened upon a stand of wonderful old Ponderosa Pines still standing tall with wonderful fall colors below and showing off that wonderful orangish bark that only wise old Ponderosas have.
Trees are amazing creatures….truly amazing.
Peeking in
A white Tailed Doe peeking in and saying hello on a Monday morning.
Have a great week.
Milk Weed
I have noticed that each fall I end up taking a few shots of milk weed and always say to myself that next fall I need to make a dedicated effort to photograph this wonderful plant. The same happened again this year.
We are responsible for protecting what is left
http://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07183-6
The article above shows that 70% of the remaining wild lands in the world are contained in just five countries. Those of us who live in any of those five countries need to take action in any way we can to help protect those remaining wild lands. Life depends on it.
The Center for Large Landscape Conservation, the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, Wildlands Network, and the Half Earth Project are just a handful of organizations working to preserve what is left of the wonderful planet. Please consider supporting any organizaiton you find in your country that is working to support conservation of wildlands.
Firehole River
Along the Firehole River seasons pass faster than the river seems to flow.
Snow now cloaks the valley.
nature has no boss 
You must be logged in to post a comment.