Showing posts with label Nest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nest. Show all posts

Jul 19, 2010

Young Things

and other stuff from the last week or so...
I'm learning that around this time when things are pretty quiet, it's nice to stumble upon young things.


Running Deer:


Yup, it's my buddy....inquisitive young mink.
Also at Running Deer right now: frogs, toads and tons
of dragon flies.


The wrens seem to be making a funny frog-like noise lately....
I don't know if this relates to fledgelings or not (or if
I just never noticed it before.)


I've been watching this Red-winged Blackbird nest for
a few weeks. Looks like someone's hungry.
(double-click photo to enlarge a little)



Young Gulch:


Earlier this summer there were bunches of flycatchers 
at Young Gulch. Now, very fluffy fledglings. 
Here's mom with a snack:


And here's the kids.


This one, a little further down the trail.


Pawnee Grasslands:


A friendly Grasshopper Sparrow


A young Meadowlark,  I think....


I did see a few young burrowing owls, but none
braving posts yet.



Two shots of Mom Lark Sparrow, 'cause I think
she's wonderful...


Maybe one day this little guy will look so pretty!


Didn't find any resting Common Nighthawks 
(well other than the ones I accidentally flushed...), but this one 
briefly flew into the tree above my head.


Riverbend Ponds:


First, a stop near Wellington.
What I think is coolest about the dickcissel, it's song:



A little reminder for me today: When it's a little slow and 
maybe kind of dull the Kingfisher embodies 
everything I've grown to love about birds.


Another enthusiastic wren.


A Young Barn Swallow, I think!!


Three guesses (it's not a kingfisher...)


















Jun 30, 2010

Eventful Trip to Grey Rock

Getting a later than usual start, I was surprised at how birdy Gray Rock was this morning. I haven't been on the trail in years and didn't realize it's potential...




I was staring up at some wrens.....when I looked down, there was a beautiful red, black and white snake between my feet. We both skedaddled promptly, so sadly no photo op. (Maybe a King Snake...I have no idea.)


Up the trail a little ways, a lizard attempted to hide...


A little further along, a BLACK BEAR meandered onto the trail!


I have been hoping to see a bear in Colorado for years!!! Granted I was 
kind of thinking of seeing one across a distant meadow, not thirty feet 
down the trail.....but beggars can't be choosers, right?


The bear decided I smelled like a vegetarian, wouldn't
taste very good, and kindly
allowed me to continue on my way....


As many insects as anything else on this hike....


Grey Rock



So I noticed this nest....


in this partly-fallen tree. I noticed some wrens flitting about,
so I figured it was their nest - even though it seemed big. Eventually 
I noticed that their nest was in the same tree, but in a different spot!