A female Calliope Hummingbird measuring in at a mere 3 inches visiting a Sitka Columbine.
Two of summers treats rolled into a single meal .
Tag: nature photography
Western Bluebird
After literally bringing some grub to feed his young a male Western Bluebird leaves the nesting box and perches on a fence pole in search of more food for the rapidly growing brood. We watched as both the male and female shuttled food in and waste out of the nest box with their young still safely tucked away inside.
The Western Bluebird is not as common as the Mountain Bluebird so it is always a pleasure to see that brilliant blue and orange. A fine way to start a summers day.
Never a dull moment
Once the Yellow-headed Blackbirds have moved back into a little marsh we frequently visit we can count on there never bing a dull moment. Males perched high on last summers cattails singing their beautiful squawky-squueky song with all their heart.
They sit and wait for just the right moment. A moment of silence when all can hear and then let out that wonderful tune.
Some guys sing away with a subtle yet elegant pose while other are a bit more dramatic. This guy below was really belting it out and just caught himself from falling off his perch.
Watching and hearing these guys is a true treat of spring and now that summer is approaching and this years cattails have grown tall, nests built , and eggs have been laid the marsh will defiantly quiet down-and that’s a shame.
Have a great weekend.
Whimbrels
On the same beach on which the Oystercatchers we feasting on Mussels there was a small group of Whimbrels hanging out, resting, and also foraging on the exposed bounty of the sea.
Like their large relatives the Curlew, Whimbrels nest on open tundra of Alaska and Canada. It seems that this must have been a group heading towards their breeding grounds and perhaps took a stopover on this beach to rest and fuel up.
Most of the group was resting on freshly exposed mussels beds a veritable Whimbrel bed and breakfast so to speak.
Beautiful birds we rarely get to observe so seeing this flock was quite a treat.
As the tide went out
As the tide rolled slowly out the Black Oystercatchers rolled in to feast on mussels freshly exposed. As this pair feasted on mussel and crab we feasted on that brilliant orange bill , yellow and orange eyes and pink legs of these beautiful birds in the early evening light. And oh yes, that wonderful call when they take to the air.
Seeing and hearing the Black Oystercatcher always gives us the feeling we have reached our destination on our occasional trips to the Pacific coast.
Mr. Blackbird
A quiet and relaxed Red Winged Blackbird poses for a quick portrait.
Pink Monday
You know the week is off to a good start when there is a Black Necked Stilt foraging in morning light pink legs and all.
Chestnut-Backed Chickadee
Hearing the Chickadees calling in the trees above our heads we expected to look up and see either a black-capped or mountain chickadee as we had seen them earlier this day. However to our surprise we we greeted by this little Chestnut-Backed Chickadee looking down at us and hunting insects just above our heads.
The all about birds website starts their description of this bird by calling them handsome and I would have to whole heartedly agree with that.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chestnut-backed_Chickadee/id
Good Catch
Terns are one our favorites to watch hunting. So elegant and graceful yet powerful and precise.
A Forsters Tern appears to make the catch of a small minnow where X marks the spot.
Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Now you see me….
Now you don’t…
In the span of less than a minute this beautiful male Cinnamon Teal went form being extreme show-off to shy guy.
Wishing you all, extrovert or introvert, a wonderful weekend.
nature has no boss 
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