Juniper Hairstreak

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One of the most interesting butterflies found in our area is the beautiful and fancy in a non-fancy sort of way Juniper Hairstreak.  Widely distributed across the United States this butterfly is often seen in old fields, bluffs, barrens, juniper and pinyon-juniper woodlands, and cedar breaks. This one was photographed feeding on biscuit root along the base of a cliff that had several areas of Juniper growing. The male will sit all day upon the ends of juniper branches to attract a female.

Mrs. G

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A short but sweet visit with Mrs. G…the Evening Grosbeak. We ran across her perched  upon a limb of a local tree where she gave us that who’s here glance…

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and proudly proclaimed hello there my name is Mrs. G.

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A quick little move from right to left…

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and with a telling glance that, enough is enough, she swiftly ascended the tree and vanished from sight.

A handfull

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Yes, Sparrows can be a handful, but when they come out in the open and give you good view that handful becomes a fistful.

We welcome back a Chipping Sparrow as they sit quietly as we pass by one a early morning walk. While this morning they were silent we typically are greeted by their song this time of year.

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A  beautiful Lark Sparrow forages for the tiniest of sprouts springing forth from between this rocky soil.

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Ushered by their beautiful wren-like song we were luck enough to  observe this Lincoln’s Sparrow enjoying the first rays of early morning light.

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While out in the grasslands a Vesper Sparrow sang it’s lovely song.

Glacier Lillies

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Our annual photographic homage to one of our favorite spring flowers the Glacier Lilly.

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We follow their progressive blooming form the edge of the foothills up high in the mountains seemingly ushering in spring in each progressive life zone.

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Beautiful from afar…

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as well as up close.

One rainy afternoon

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It was an unusually dark Friday afternoon just a week or two ago, light rain falling, when this male Yellow-rumped Warbler descended from their usual stomping grounds up in the tops of the conifers to forage on insects in the cattails along the edge of the pond.

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Taking their time they perused the area and picked out the most buggy of the areas to work over.

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Like a true warbler they rarely held still but we were lucky enough to get a nice long look of this beautiful bird before they took off to the tree tops above.

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Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend.