A black capped chickadee finds a pleasant perch to greet the morning light which has finally made it over the mountains on this Decembers day.
Happy Monday.
Tag: nature photography
Decembers Light
The mid-December sun, traveling low across southern sky casts long shadows on the icey blue face of a small pond and gently lights the landscape beyond. Decembers light is like no other and helps me keep track of the time like no wall calendar or wristwatch can.
Scruffy
On Saturday at mid-morning we spotted this Coopers hawk tidying up a bit on a broken old Cottonwood branch. He looked like he has had a bit of a rough time lately with his feathers looking downright scruffy. After a half hour or so of preening his feathers were back in fine order and he was off again hunting in nearby woods.
Laying low.
Three big guys enjoying the golden grass and just laying low.
Maybe that is a cue for the weekend just lay low and kick back or, better yet, get outside a bit then kick back.
Have a wonderful weekend however you choose to spend it.
Cracked
I think there is a geology lesson, or three, to be learned here. Looking out towards the Absaroka mountains along the backbone of earth cracked open from the forces within.
Windy but warm
A Killdeer foraging for ephydrid flies in the warm thermal pools on what became a windy afternoon. The warm thermal pools allow the flies to thrive even in winter and provide birds like this Killdeer a tasty early winter meal on a blustery afternoon.
Discoveries
Our world is vast and much is still to be discovered and described by science.
A recent article published in Science Daily reports on the discovery of 71 new species by researchers at the California Academy of Sciences in 2019. The article provides a nice overview of the species discovered and includes the following quote remaining us that there is much work to do to identify what we have on this wonderful planet. A nice short read if you can find the time.
“Despite decades of tirelessly scouring some of the most familiar and remote places on Earth,” says Shannon Bennett, PhD, and Academy Chief of Science, “biodiversity scientists estimate that more than 90% of nature’s species remain unknown. A rich diversity of plants and animals is what allows life on our planet to thrive: the interconnectedness of all living systems provides collective resilience in the face of our climate crisis. Each newly discovered species serves as an important reminder of the critical role we play in better understanding and preserving these precious ecosystems.”
References:
1.California Academy of Sciences. (2019, December 5). Scientists at the California Academy of Sciences describe 71 new species in 2019. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 10, 2019 from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191205155818.htm
And just for fun a smattering of those species we already know.
Where river meets the sea.
A quiet morning where the river meets the sea. All is good. The grass is green, the rain has stoped and life in many forms hauled up on the beech to spend a quiet day.
Red Breasted Nuthatch
One of our favorites and a constant companion through the season is the diminutive Red Breasted Nuthatch weighing in at about 10 grams yet feisty as all can get out and with a song to match.
Just think how different and special it must be to have the ability to view the world upside down like this little nuthatch can.
Hungry Hawk
Looking like it just finished a meal this Red tailed Hawk was right back at it. Watching the fields intently for a mouse to stir and trying to make the most of the short days this time of year.
nature has no boss 
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