An American Kestrel sat quietly surveying the field on a late November day out in the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge near Denver, CO.
We watched as the Kestrel quickly swooped down into the dried brown fall grass and pulled up small juicy meals which looked to be caterpillars easily held in their toe.
After a few successful hunts from this one fence post the Kestrel glanced back to see how we had liked the show and then flew off down the road to find another hunting spot.
In place where there is still a smidgen of free range we enjoyed observing the Antelope go about their day.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
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We watched as this little Black bear foraged through the forest nimbley picking Oregon Grape Berries. We did not know Bears ate these little berries but given most of the Choke Cheery bushes had been picked clean this little bear needed to find a few last meals before they retired for the winter and Oregon grape was on the menu that evening.
Earlier this fall it was reported that over 3 billion birds or almost 1/3 the bird population has been lost in North America due to human enterprises. A new report from the Audubon Society demonstrates that about 66% of bird species in North America may be threatened with extinction resulting from anthropogenic climate change. The full report can be found here. The findings of this study are bleak to say the least. When you consider the fact that this report only focuses on climate change and does not consider other anthropogenic factors such as habitat destruction, pollution etc. a dark picture of a world with no birds could certainly be painted. Mass extinction events like the one we are in typically don’t end well for most species humans included. The report indicates that if we take action ASAP to reduce the rate and extent of warming there may be a ray of hope. How do you feel about living in a world without birds?
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A juvenille Black Crowned Night Heron is taking a break from his fishing but still keeping an eye on the water below while perched in an old cottonwood tree along clear creek in Denver, CO. He sure looks good wrapped in those fall colors.
The Green Tailed Towhee spends most of its time in dense low thickets, where it forages on the ground. Like other towhees, it scratches in the leaf-litter with both feet as it searches for food. It is somewhat secretive and difficult to see so we were thrilled to get a quick glimpse at this bird when it quickly flew from a berry thicket and landed on this tree for a few seconds.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Green-tailed_Towhee/id
http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/green-tailed-towhee
These kids made it through kindergarten and are now on to first grade. Elk and mule deer that were only Fawns and calves just a short time ago are heading into winter as the first snows have hit the ground.
A young mule deer wondering what this white stuff is all about.
An elk calf ponders their next move just a short time ago when the plants still were rich with green.
Perhaps a few leaves from this wild rose will do.
Good luck kids and we hope you make it to second grade next spring.
Happy weekend to all.
This year Chippy was a constant companion around the yard. Darting back and forth and to and fro collecting morsels to munch on and them finding the perfect perch to munch them on. We don’t see much of this guy as the temperatures cool and the flakes begin to fly so one last look was in order.
A Dusky Grouse keeping quiet while waiting for us to move along as we walked through the cottonwood trees in the creek bed. Seeing these birds move through the dry leaves and into the cottonwood trees with colors so similar to their own just makes a fall day feel…just like fall.
Quietly perched and giving us the 180 degree head turn like only an owl can give a Great Horned Owl waits in the early evening light for their day to begin.
Happy hunting to the owl and have a great weekend to all.
nature has no boss 
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