Feb 27, 2011

Weld Birds

The Winter Birds are slipping away from me I realize; a quick dash out east today in hopes of catching a few. Slim hopes. :)

At Latham, Red-winged Blackbirds:



I drove out to Banner Lakes with some vague idea of looking for Long-earred Owls. I didn't find any, but on the way back to the car I flushed a GHO. At least my vague idea had some semblance of logic!


Flew out right in front of me; didn't even know he'd been there!



Another silhouette for the gallery, a Western Meadowlark.






Feb 1, 2011

Young Gulch to Myself

What to do when school's out due to "inclement" weather? Bundle up and go play outside of course!

I arrived at the empty Young Gulch lot to find I was the first visitor this morning.



There wasn't tons of snow, but there was a sort of snow 
"fun factor" - with yesterday's rain most of the trail was frozen...
snow on top of ice made for interesting travels.


The stream that crosses Young Gulch was open in a few spots. In most spots
however I could just hear the water gurgling underneath the ice.
In a few spots I had to be really observant to even suspect I was 
crossing the stream!




Young Gulch was quiet (except for the near-constant gurgling.) Every 
once in a while I'd hear a calling Solitaire or Chickadee.



I made it a little over a mile in before I decided my fingers and toes
were about done for. I hightailed it about as fast as my snow boots 
would let me on the way back.


Also enjoying the sub-zero weather today: Several Brown Creepers, Juncos, 
an irritated-sounding Flicker, one Robin and some noisy
Clark's Nutcrackers. There were LOTS of great foot prints in the snow: Rabbits, rodents, 
birds and one small cat or doggish print....bobcat?


Leaving at lunchtime....the still blissfully empty parking lot.

and on the way home....


I was thinking about Dippers on my way in this morning. Those Polar
Bear swimmers have NOTHING on these guys!