It isn’t often I train my camera on smaller birds but this colorful one demanded my attention. These birds are so beautiful and their plumage just awesome. I happened across this one last week just as the sun was popping over the horizon on Colorado’s plains.
Bad attitude Osprey
The male at this particular nest not too far from my house didn’t really seem to want his picture taken on this morning. This was taken a few weeks ago and I haven’t been back since but do need to get by there as I believe he and his mate now have a few new mouths to feed.
Osprey are actually a type of hawk. They are spring and summer residents of the Centennial State and spend their winters in the warmer environs of the coasts of Mexico and South America.
Bald Eagle landing sequence
Kind of a fun little series of images put in slideshow format of this gorgeous female Bald #Eagle when she came in for a landing one day back in April. It is hard to do it justice as they move so fast and Facebook limits how many images you can put in this to 10. Hope you enjoy your Freedom Friday show!
Pelican on the go
If there is one creature on our photo excursions that my wife will tolerate me spending time with more than any other it is these large birds. She is enamored with them. Earlier this week we spent a number of days at a relative ‘hot spot’ for them where dozens tend to hang out during the summer months.
With a wingspan that can reach an amazing 8+ feet, they are extraordinary fliers, able to soar with great ease, rarely flapping their wings. American White Pelicans spend their winters along the Gulf and southern Pacific coasts as well as in Mexico. Springtime sees them move north with many going to Canada and the northern plains but some choosing to stop part way and spend the summer in the Centennial State, northern California and a few other spots.
Little deer, big ears
Oh my goodness! I could have bundled this little Mule Deer fawn up and taken it home it was so cute. That soft-looking fur, adorable look and those ears were just irresistible. It and its twin were out for an early morning walk with their mom at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge last week. Mom largely ignored me but the two little ones couldn’t help but be curious and that allowed me to snag some nice pics of the two of them.
Found across western North America, Mule Deer are aptly named due to their oversized ears.
Jack never understood why everyone could find him so easily when playing hide and seek
Jack never understood why everyone could find him so easily when playing hide and seek. 😉
This Black-tailed Jackrabbit did its best to hide from me yesterday morning but those ears were a dead giveaway as to its location.
Also called the American desert hare, these jackrabbits have a wide range across the western United States where they can be found at altitudes ranging from sea level to 10,000 feet. Here in Colorado, they are pretty common on the plains.?
“This is MY spot on the lake”
A little bit of drama between these two, massive Moose bulls. The one on the right had just swam across the lake (see my pics from last week) and was seeming to enjoy its time alone when another bull arrived. It did not appreciate the intrusion and feigned an attack rushing toward the other. The interloper didn’t want the confrontation and ran into the water to get out the way. Very fun and exciting to see!
Bringing home the bacon. Um, no. Bringing home the bird.
This was my second run-in with this foxy lady over a span of two weeks. This time however, this Red Fox vixen wasn’t begging for food from folks driving along the road. She in fact had proven that she can hunt on her own and managed to catch herself a nice little feathery meal. I for one would prefer bacon, but I guess beggars can’t be choosers. 😉
Burrowing Owl helping provide air traffic control
Kind of a fun image from a couple of weeks ago out near Denver International Airport. As planes came and went, this little guy seemed to be keeping close watch on the goings on.
“And just what do you think you are doing?”
Life at 14,000 feet isn’t for the faint of heart as conditions can be tough. Temperatures are oftentimes quite cold, even in the summer. So, when that sun comes up and finally starts to warm things up a bit, the wildlife takes advantage of it. This little American Pika was quick to emerge when the sun hit near its home and it then spent some time just taking in the warmth. However, it seemed a bit less than thrilled about the human with a camera intruding on its morning peace. 😉