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.
A fine looking female Yellow Headed Blackbird makes the most of a soft cattail in the marsh.
A Barred Owl passes the day as only an Owl can do in a busy park on a quiet day.
Hey, I called Dibs on this Coneflower.
We have had many Painted Lady butterflies visiting the area this summer and with nectar at a premium competition did seem to heat up for the best coneflowers in the field.
We watched as this little Song Sparrow cozied into what looked to be a custom seat made just for them. Carved by time and weathered to just the right smoothness. A perfect place to sit for a while and enjoy the view.
Nothing here…just a clump of grass.
An American Bittern doing their best to remain unknown as the morning sun rises just a little higher.
To read more:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Bittern/id
http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/american-bittern
We typically see only a few Preying Mantis each summer either while out hiking or in our garden. Last week, while out on a hike, we saw numerous Mantids and each one matched the specific grasses they resided in. The Mantid above was in grasses that were a mix of green and brown and the Mantid was green and brown.
While the Mantid above resided in fresh green grass.
This Mantids above were right at home in a field of brown.
We even got a look at one Mantid hanging upside down.
Photographed in Denver, CO
Perched high on a tree that’s seen its better days a Bald Eagle sits looking for a meal to swim by in the river below.
Grand Teton National Park, WY.
I watched this Thread Waisted Wasp (Ammophilia Proceia) buzzing around in the Golden Rod. That Thin connection between the thorax and the abdomen is really something to wonder over. Does it allow the abdomen to move freely and lay eggs or perhaps sting others independent of the rest of the body?
Need to get an Entomology book and brush up on the fundamentals.
Denver, CO.
The colors of spring have faded but this American Avocet looks none the worse for wear in non breeding plumage. They may be black and white but still looking stunning with those beautiful blue legs.
nature has no boss 
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