images as thoughts
I never tire of the brilliant color of a Male Western Tanager. We recently got to see a nice group of 5-6 males hanging out in trees of a thickly forested area. They were busy moving about foraging but luckily we did get a nice photo or two when they moved between the branches whereas the females although present remained quite hidden.
One of our favorite wildflower is Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum). Gazing into a field of these flowers is like watching a full on action movie yet motion is only implied.
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
Posing for a wonderful family portrait.
Yellow Headed Blackbirds remain on of my favorites no matter how often I photograph them.
A red Necked Grebe spending time on the nest.
While we were watching the pair took tuns sitting on the eggs so each could spend time gathering food.
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.
Fog rises from water warmer than the air.
Ducks begin their day.
Coffee warms my bones.
Red Rocks Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
