The other day I saw a yellow flash land in a nice cedar tree. Thinking it was an unusual insect I quickly went over to get a look. Alas, it was not a new insect but a Honey Bee and to say this one was covered in pollen might be an understatement. This little bee could hard fly with the load they had acquired. After a few minutes of rest they slowly lifted off and headed back to the hive. A job well done.
One of my favorite animals to inhabit the alpine tundra and one I always think of as summer turns to fall is the American Pika. Scurrying about above the tree-line diligently gathering vegetation to stock their winter larder. The Pika is adapted to live year-round in the harsh alpine environment. However tough they may be climate change poses a significant danger to the continued existence of the Pika and in the lower regions of North America have already lost up to 1/3 of their previous habitat to climate change.
It would be a sad day indeed if a hike through the alpine tundra was devoid of a pikas song.
When I think of an American Robin foraging the picture that comes to mind is a Robin head down focused and ready to pull a wiggling worm form the grass.
This day flies were buzzing about above the river and the Robin was keen to get into the act of flycatchin’.
He would swoop down out of a tree across the the river and grab flies landing either back on a branch or in this case a log along the river back. He looked quite skilled at catching his prey and I will forever have a changed picture of a Robins foraging habits.
Given my abysmal skills at dragonfly identification I suspect this beautiful looking creature is some species of Red Meadowhawk Dragonfly.
Even though Fall is almost here there are some Dragonflies still buzzing about when the sun is out.
With all the other wildflowers long gone to seed a single thistle along the side of the road reminded me of one of those photos of the lone remaining watering hole in the Serengeti attracting animals from near and far for a nice cool drink. Only this thistle attracted the remaining nectar and pollen lovers in the area including skippers galore, whites and several alpine butterflies which all gathered to get that one last sip of nectar before summer slips away.
This Magpie was just spending some time hanging out on a picnic tale and allowed us to get unusually close. There must have been hidden treasures close at hand which gave us a nice opportunity to take a quick portrait for Magpie Monday.
We seemed to have settled into a very late fall like weather pattern as of late with sunshine appearing mid-morning then giving way to cloudy afternoon skies. We spotted this good looking Red Tailed Hawk on one of those cloudy afternoons perched on the remnants of a very fall looking tree.
You never know what you will find hidden in the willows is what this guy was probably thinking when he noticed we were peeking in from the edge of his terrain. It always amazes me just how easy a creature the size of the moose can disappear from your sight with a simple step or two into the willows. Photographed near Cottonwood pass in Colorado.
The flies were abundant that afternoon and so were the flycatchers.
This little flycatcher took a second to rest and pose with his catch. Good work as there were families to feed.
Perhaps a Margined White or another version of the Family Pieridae enjoying some time resting on a nice white wildflower. White on white…not a bad combination.
nature has no boss 
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