Early Mourning

On March 31, 2021March 30, 2021 By Mike and ChristyLeave a comment

While their emergence at home is still many weeks away.

Not too far from home a Mourning Cloak awakes.

Spring is in the air.

Strutting

On March 29, 2021 By Mike and Christy3 Comments

Just last week a Tom Turkey decided to wander through the neighborhood and although he only had a single female admirer in tow that didn’t stop this handsome guy from displaying his wares.

Over the course of about fifteen minutes we were also privy to his show. Each display period only lasted a few seconds or so but boy what a show.

From a remarkable collection of feathers and unique anatomical features Wild Turkeys are fascinating birds.

More Blue

On March 26, 2021March 23, 2021 By Mike and ChristyLeave a comment

The first Female Rocky Mountain Bluebirds are back in town.

Perched upon a fence post with the backdrop a bright blue sky.

More blue is not a bad thing.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

And then there were Juncos

On March 24, 2021March 23, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

Absent from the area most of the winter the Dark Eyed Juncos have returned. First one, then two now quite a few. Hanging out in the trees on a typical spring day with some snow, some sunset mostly in-between. Soon we will hear the calling from the tree tops and the juniper bushes nearby. Another wonderful sign spring is on it’s way.

Spring Skies

On March 23, 2021March 23, 2021 By Mike and ChristyLeave a comment

Late March Skies where a faint song of spring is in the sky yet winter sings along.

You never know what will be over the horizon. Snow, rain or a cloudless bluebird sky.

Snow in the mountain yet the geese fly north.

Yes, Spring is indeed in the air.

Early Riser

On March 22, 2021March 22, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

We usually don’t see Chippie up this early in the spring. However with the snow rapidly receding and the temperatures somewhat above average Chippie, two in fact, have decided it was time to get busy and awake from a winter in their dens.

Last we we noticed two Chipmunks darting and foraging non-stop even though the grass is still very brown and many parts of the landscape are still covered in a blanket of snow. This guy found a few morsels under the bird feeder where a selective Red-Breasted Nuthatch had discarded a few seeds onto the ground.

Blue Friday

On March 19, 2021March 19, 2021 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

Perched along a country road the male Mountain Bluebirds have return to lay claim to the nest boxes nearest to what they consider the best feeding grounds. While the ground may still bear snow these guys know the early bird gets the girl.

Lemmonhead

On March 18, 2021March 17, 2021 By Mike and Christy3 Comments

The changes may be subtle but in only a work-weeks time Mr Lemmon Chin has become Mr. Lemmonhead.

Horned Lark 2021

On March 17, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

Although snow is still piled high in the farm fields outside of town and night-time temperatures are well below freezing. Just like clockwork the Horned Larks have returned to grace the roadsides the second week of March. While most darted off into those snow filled fields as we gingerly drove the country roads this guy perched on a little snow mound and posed for a minute and two. It was nice to get a good long look at this guy and when the Horned larks return it is another sure sign spring is on its way.

Just Creeping Along

On March 16, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

Sometimes just creeping along is the way to go.

Our local population of Brown Creepers will soon disperse to higher elevations and deeper forests not far away but also not close to home. We have enjoyed having a few around this winter and many migrant birds arrive for summer some will go.

nature has no boss

Tag: Montana