A pair of Redheaded ducks enjoying the last of the evening light.
As we roll into March the ducks that overwinter on our ponds and rivers are quickly moving back to their summer breeding grounds. How quickly the seasons change and time marches on.
Tag: wildlife
Boys are back
Sitting high in a frosty tree top keeping a lookout or so it seems. The male Red Winged Blackbirds are back in the area. They have yet to descend to the cattails surrounding the local marsh and are hanging out high in the tree tops perhaps to get that first view of when the ladies return.
Denver, CO.
Willet
A Willet soaking up the warmth of the sun.
As a new month dawns winter remains lurking just around the corner yet it’s grips has lost much strength.
March bring many things including the promise of spring.
On a small stick
A male Downey Head Woodpecker looking for a meal on a dried stalk of dried queen Anne’s lace Usually we see these guys scurrying about in the much larger trees pecking away looking for a meal. This day we were surprised to hear the pleasant pecking of a downey head on this small plant. Surprises do come in small packages.
Winter Loon
This common loon swam right by us as we were kayaking in a lagoon just off the Pacific Ocean. While not quite as flashy in the winter as in breeding season, I found this loon to be a beautiful bird nonetheless.
Photographed along the Northern California Coast.
Hop on in.
A little Sand Piper gives me a wink and motions me to join in their morning yoga class on the beach. Although balancing on one leg proved not too difficult I fell flat on my face trying to hop away on one leg like these characters did when a rogue wave came up the beach just a little too far.
Red Shouldered Hawk
Evan with a light rain coming down this Red Shouldered Hawk sat alert and ever present of the next little meal that might scurry across the field below.
Along the coast of California on a rainy winters day.
Black Turnstone?
While hiking around a rock outcrop in an attempt to get a better view of some large breaking waves I came across this guy busy foraging along the rocks near the shoreline. Since we spend so little time along the coast our shorebird identification skills are a bit lacking especially when the birds are dressed in their non-breeding plumage. My best guess is that this is a Black Turnstone albeit not looking very black this day. I welcome correction and tips for identification of shorebirds from costal dwellers.
Northern California Coast.
Curious Otter
This guy was quite curious as to what we were doing although our presence did not alter his routine. He would dive into the water via a small hole in the ice and every 5-6 tries come out with a nice looking fish.
Yellowstone Lake, YNP.
Going Down
A little White Breasted Nuthatch catching the downward elevator on an old cottonwood tree as the morning sunlight begins to return to our local woodland.
nature has no boss 
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