A Red Tailed Hawk sits patiently on a rainy summer afternoon waiting for the next opportunity.
Tag: wildlife photography
just hanging out
A little Yellow Jacket just hanging out doing what Yellow Jackets do.
I wonder if looking at the world upside-down makes it feel right side up. Might have to go lay in grass and give it try.
Near Box 62A
On the fence line near box 62A a Female Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) was taking a break from tending to her nest. Looks like she has been banded for study. Bluebirds populations while recovering are still threatened by loss of habitat and competition from introduced species such as the House Sparrow and European Starling both of which compete for nest boxes as well as natural nesting sites.
Snake grass or Horsetail if you prefer
According to recent scientific and lay sources the family Equisetum is a “living fossil”. It is the only living genus of the entire class Equisetopsida a family of vascular plants that reproduce by spores rather than seeds.
These plant date back to the Devonian period which to my my reckoning is really, really old. I am no botanist or will not pretend to be so I have always enjoyed snake grass for its beauty but with each little drop of new understanding comes greater beauty and perhaps beauty is part of the design of universe to begin with.
Chipping Sparrow: Spizella passerina
It wouldn’t seem like summer without the sounds of the Chipping Sparrows echoing through the trees in our area. A beautiful little sparrow with their rufous crown. We see the Chipping Sparrow foraging on branches, jumping around on the ground and hopping about in the both pine and deciduous tress each summer.
More often than not a hike through the forest in July is accompanied by their song echoing through the woods. A song we thoroughly enjoy.
So here’s to the Chipping Sparrow a widespread, modest and wonderful summer companion.
Lorquin’s Admiral: Limenitis lorquini
A wonderful butterfly to enjoy on a summers afternoon. The Lorquin’s Admiral is busy these days and a common companion along the trails nearby.
Pine Siskins: Spinus pinus
On a rainy afternoon we watched a flock of Pine Siskins hanging out along a ranch fence line in the light drizzle.
When they show up in large flocks to backyard feeders or your local forest it may not be apparent but Pine Siskins are a Common Bird in Steep Decline. Pesticides, loss of habitat and predation from domestic cats, red squirrels, hawks, jays, and crows are all contributing factors to the decline of this species.
Since we typically hear them buzzing in the tree tops of pine forests seeing them lined up individually along the barbed wire on a quiet rainy day gave us a chance to know each on as a individual so to speak and it was nice to get to know them.
A wonderful little forest bird.
Double Snake
Getting a glimpse of a snake, or a root, or anything remotely snake like, from along the edge of the trail always makes one do that quick double take. This time it was in fact a Common Garter snake nestled down in a small patch of snake grass (or horsetail if you prefer) that elicited the snake-double take. Although the Garter snake is one of the most common and widespread reptiles in our area and by no means are we snake-lovers it is always nice to see one slither away as we walk the trails. I wonder if their numbers have decreased with the decline of amphibians as this was reported to be their main food source or they have shifted dietary habits?
My Stump!
As we moved into our campsite for the evening this chubby ground squirrel let it be known loud and clear this was his stump and not to be used for a place to put our camp stove.
And in case we weren’t listening ….this is My Stump!
Have a great weekend.
Swainson’s Song
As we set out for a walk on a rainy Monday morning we decided to just carry a lightweight macro lens on the camera as the birds would be hunkered down as it was raining slowly and steadily.
For most of the walk it was one of those very calm and silent mornings only a walk in the rain can bring. However on the way back down the hill we heard the beautiful song of several Swainson’s Thrushes echoing in the distance. As we walked towards the trailhead the songs became closer and more frequent. Much to out surprise the Swainson’s Thrushes were out from the tall trees and perched singing in branches down low. It was nice to get a glimpse of these reclusive forest dwellers and to get a few photos but most of all hearing that amazing song.
How do they get it to echo like that?
nature has no boss 
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