Cranes on Wednesday

The wind seemed to make the cranes go into hiding today (or make an early exit!) We headed to Penitente Canyon - though apparently not to escape the wind!!

Rock formations in Penitente Canyon

Two vultures relaxing at the canyon rim. I don't think they were enjoying the wind either!

Also in the canyon, along with juncos and chickadees, some very nice ice:

Back to town, and a search for the cranes....Very absent in the farm fields we've seen them in the last few days, we finally found some flying and loafing around the Refuge:

Incoming!

They look like parachuters!

A few more photos:

Tuesday's Cranes

The sun didn't rise as brightly today, and the cranes took off fast....but the lack of sunshine made for some decent silhouette views.

I watched these two in particular, waiting for them to take off. Here they go:

A quarter or less of the group remains:

After the cranes, a quick view of the Ruddy Duck:

This afternoon, on the way into Taos; the Rio Grande Gorge:

Find the rest of Tuesday's photos here:

Monday's Cranes

We were organized enough to catch the cranes leaving their roosts in the morning - I think we'll do that each chance we get!

Then another visit to the Sand Dunes...

And a visit to Zapata Falls (Zapata very-frozen Falls)

We headed back to Monte Vista to watch the Cranes return and on the way back saw FOUR Great Horned Owls!

The Rest of Monday's Photos:

Sandhill Cranes, Part One

The drive was maybe a little long, but a lunch break in Buena Vista helped a bit... Finding some cranes once we reached Monte Vista was no problem - now we just have to be lucky enough to witness some dancing!

Present at the Monte Vista NWR this afternoon were coots, 

shovelers, and a couple of ruddy ducks

A quick visit to the Sand Dunes....a more thorough exploration scheduled tomorrow.

The rest of today's photos:

Almost Spring at Running Deer

It's Gotta almost be here, right?

FOS Meadowlark

Kind of interesting-looking Red-tail

:)

Unafraid Common Mergansers

Bunny practicing stealth.

Crossbills at Last

Today I finally got some decent looks at the White-winged Crossbills at Grandview Cemetery. (If only I'd set my shutter speed correctly!) Maybe next time..... They sure are a little funny looking!

First, I stopped by the Great Horned Owls. 

Here's Dad, doing his usual avoidance routine.

Mom on nest...

Here's a photo of her from last week, pre-melt!

And then, the Crossbills:

(Thanks Dave Leatherman!)