A mountain Chickadee pauses in the junipers as the sun shines bright on what to now has been a much drier and warmer winter than usual. We suspect the snow will come and temperatures will drop but until then the birds are catching a break and we can all use a break from time to time.
One of our locals we know quite well a Red-Breasted Nuthatch we call Hatchmo. In winter, when the doors are closed, and the windows shut, it sure is comforting to open the door and be treated with that familiar honk-honk-honk. A wonderful break from that pandemic isolation.
Thanks Hatchmo!
A quick visit with a Northern Flicker. This fine looking bird flew into a tree filled with a mixed flock of small songbirds foraging away on a cold November morning and we are glad she did.
She made a quick check to see what all the commotion was about checking to see if there was food of her liking on and old fir tree.
But alas, after a quick check of both limbs and trunk she decided to move on. A nice splash of color on a quiet fall day.
On a recent walk we were lucky enough to be able spend a fair amount of time observing and watching a very handsome Mule Deer Buck escorting his harem through the forest.
While we hung out and watched the whole group of deer pass through the male stood watch curious yet calm and quiet.
Before the group moved away and into the deeper reaches of the forest the male put his nose to the sky to make sure all were present and accounted for.
A nice surprise and the highlight of the stroll.
Peeking in on a well hidden Bull and Cow elk who were enjoying a bit of afternoon sunshine in the golden fall fields. Those warming rays must fell darn good these days as nights have gotten colder than normal these last few weeks.
Getting three out of four family members to cooperate for a portrait is not too bad.
Hope your week is off to a good start.
Inching along from top of the plant down enjoying a meal along the way.
Caterpillars seemed so common in my youth but even while out and about most every day their numbers seem small. Perhaps it’s our location but maybe not. We were excited to find two species inching along on a late fall day. Both similar yet very distinct.
So mysterious and wonderful these creatures seem in a life of transformations.
Inching along until their next incarnation.
A golden pronghorn walk through golden grasses where plant and animal are one.
Just a few family portraits of mom and the kids. We were lucky enough to have them spend the last month or two hanging around our area. A treat to sit and watch as the kids grow up they kept us active as well as much time was spent shooing them away from the garden.
One the the youngsters caught eyeing a nice patch of late-blooming flowers.
While their sibling snacks on wild sunflower seeds.
It’s hard to not smile at a face so cute but turn your back for a second and the petunias are toast.
The time of year where familiar faces reemerge. As fall moves along the familiar face as well as the song of the Mountain Chickadee returns. Summer spent nearby in the trees but oh so far away. It’s very nice to see a familiar face and one that brings sense to our world.
nature has no boss 
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