Running Deer and Riverbend

Started out gloomy, just like every other non-summer day lately. [Okay wait, I CAN NOT complain; not a mosquito in sight....If this keeps up it will be a fab summer indeed....well maybe not for the nighthawks.....]

FOS Violet-green Swallow. Right after a quick flyover from a Least Tern. 

I still find them completely beautiful.

Okay, I know this one's an easy one... For the silhouette group.

First good looks at Eastern Kingbirds this year.

Its the Mink buddy! Saw one three times today, the third time 

it was carrying a large snack!

Spotted Sandpiper? So I'll say...

At some point, brief pockets of sunshine crept in. This Common Merganser

must have thought it an appropriate time to dry off. Had to turn around on

the trail when I came across two mallards doing the same.

A very pretty little flycatcher. I'm gonna call him Least. Hey, could be, right?

Yup. Sun means Bullsnake. Scared the bejeebees out of each other.

More little flycatchers, most of them pewees maybe, hanging around

with Blue-gray Gnatcatchers.

Also about this morning:

American Robin

Great-blue Heron

Wood Duck

Northern Flicker

Downy Woodpecker

Chipping Sparrows

American Goldfinch

Yellow Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Bullock's Oriole

The tiniest of Peeps (looked just like a Spotted Sandpiper only teeny)

Osprey

House Wren

Cormorant

One rogue farm goose

Snowy Egret

Great Egret

Red-winged Blackbird

Grrrrrackle

More from today:

Spring on it's Way (Despite the Snow)

Even though I spent most of yesterday at school, I managed to find nice outside moments both before and after. In the morning, I walked around Riverbend Ponds and after school I went over to Lower Latham in search of Short-earred Owls.

Lots of ducks at Riverbend, these being the resident Ring-necked Ducks. Also present:

American Widgeon, Gadwall, Cinnamon Teal, Blue-winged Teal and one more (see below.)

First surprise of the morning went like this: "Well that looks like one of those Pigeon-

deterrent plastic Great-horned Owls....but there wouldn't be one of those here...." Okay, I've 

been a little sleepy lately.

A Mallard for the silhouette group.

Next lovely surprise of the morning: Wood Ducks in trees. Just a couple of

weeks ago we saw a pair from a distance on Connie's Loveland walk and I 

couldn't wait to someday get to see them a little closer....Hmmmmm

Not-so-shy Widgeon.

Beautiful little Blue-winged Teal.

After a couple of hours wait, sadly no Short-earred Owls at Latham. (Alas this night time 

owling is not really for me...) However, the third lovely surprise of the day:

Sandhill Cranes, maybe on their way to Nebraska? and I didn't even have to drive

to Monte Vista. :)

Cold Birds

Okay...maybe it was me that was cold. First a stop at Riverbend Ponds:

Ring-necked Ducks

and playful Chickadees....

Then over to Timnath...

for some Buffleheads

in flight.

A bunch of Horned Larks

and then the Prairie Falcon again!

not positive about this raptor...