There seems to have been a bumper crop of little owlets at many of the nest sites this year. One even had as many as NINE little ones! At one nearby, there were five. Here, one of the parents, probably seeking a break from all those hungry mouths, decided it would rather hang out on a roadside sign post than at home. Not a very safe thing to do but I can sympathize. 😉
Mountain Goat kid relaxes on the road
It is tough work living above timberline. The weather conditions are harsh, even in the summer, and climbing all those rocks can be tiring.
This relatively newborn lamb decided to take a break and soak in the morning sun near the top of Colorado’s 14,000+ foot high Mount Evans. This was my first trip of the season to the iconic mountain and it was fun as always.
The weather was pretty typical – 34 degrees and 40 mph winds – so it was a challenge but the rewards made it worthwhile.
Mountain Goats have a native range stretching from southern Alaska to the Rocky Mountains. The populations here in Colorado where I live are actually non-native, having been brought here in the middle of the 20th century as a tourist attraction.
Marmot Monday brings a posing groundhog
My first pictures of one of these little guys this season. I had a great photo trip Saturday that took me to the top of the 14,130-foot-high Mount Evans. The wildlife was abundant and active, including this guy that almost seemed to be auditioning for a photo shoot. It gave me a number of great poses, including this one with a somewhat coy look on its face. Very cute!
Sometimes called a ‘rock chuck’, Yellow-bellied Marmots are actually members of the squirrel family. They are found above 6,500 feet in grassland, meadows and talus fields. Here in Colorado you are most likely to spot them above timberline sunning themselves on rocks.
Ready to launch into the weekend
It is Friday, the countdown to 5:00 is on and this guy is ready to go! 😉
Such a handsome guy and a very successful father. Last year he sired one eaglet and this year he and his mate had two. When I last checked on them a couple of weeks ago, the young ones had not yet fledged but they should soon if they haven’t already.
Bald eagles have been a spiritual symbol of Native Americans for hundreds of years. It is believed that Bald Eagle populations were as high as 500,000 in the lower 48 states before the arrival of Europeans. Adopted as the United States’ national symbol in 1782, there were only about 100,000 by then.
Bald Eagle populations continued to decline in the 1800s due to loss of habitat and a corresponding loss of its prey. It was said to be at the edge of extinction in 1940 and that was followed by the introduction of DDT, a pesticide which further threatened the raptor causing its eggs to have very fragile shells.
By the early 1960s, there were a mere 487 pairs of mated eagles in the lower 48 it was declared an endangered species. DDT was banned in 1972 and since then the Bald Eagle has made an extraordinary comeback, being removed from the endangered species list in 2007.
Black Bear on a stroll through the spring grass
I have been quite fortunate on my few visits to Yellowstone National Park in having seen multiple Black Bears on each trip. Oftentimes the view is fleeting though and pictures less than stellar. Last Sunday however the stars aligned and I was able to get some great pictures of this Ursus Americanus.
While the morning had yielded many worthwhile photo subjects, none were a bear and I was getting discouraged and frustrated. As we worked our way toward the Tower-Roosevelt area, I was however hopeful as in the past we had good luck there. Sure enough, we round a corner to see a hulking, black form among the tall grass not far from the road.
Having a feel for the direction it was heading and wanting to give it a wide berth and not disturb it, we went past it a good way and pulled over. I didn’t have a good view of the bear initially but I knew the angle I wanted and was hoping it would continue on the path I anticipated. I crouched down, pointed my camera and then waited.
Sure enough, here it came, emerging from the tall grass, walking along and occasionally grabbing a mouthful of foliage for a morning snack. I got a number of good captures of it but this is by far my favorite. I love the low, head-on perspective and the eyes of the bear really look great.
Image available for purchase here.
Wildlife drama as Bison calves struggle to cross fast-moving river
Our first day in Yellowstone National Park last week provided some heart-pounding action. Arriving in the afternoon we only had time for a quick drive and checked out the west side of the park along the Madison River. We were happy to find a Bison herd farther west than we had seen them in the past.
Soon though, a drama unfolded as four calves had become separated from the herd and were on the opposite side of the river. A wet winter and spring had the river running very fast and very full. The calves ran back and forth along the river’s edge before finally making the plunge.
They struggled mightily against the fast-moving current and those of us watching couldn’t help but feel scared for them. With lumps in our throats we cheered then on and thankfully, all four made it across and were reunited with their very happy mothers.
Scroll down to view the complete series of images. To purchase my imagery of the great Bison, click here.
235 years ago today: The Bald Eagle becomes our nation’s symbol
President Ronald Reagan first issued a proclamation for National Bald Eagle Day in 1982 commemorating the 200th anniversary of this majestic creature becoming our nation’s symbol. Man’s stupidity nearly eradicated the eagle from the earth but thankfully we wised up and it has made a miraculous recovery. Now we have the privilege of seeing them regularly and marveling at their beauty. I cannot think of a more fitting creature to symbolize the United States of America. The text of that first proclamation follows:
Proclamation 4893—Bicentennial Year of the American Bald Eagle and National Bald Eagle Day
January 28, 1982By the President of the United States of America
A ProclamationWhether silhouetted against the sky on a rocky pinnacle in Alaska or soaring majestically overhead in Florida, the bald eagle is admired as one of nature’s most spectacular creatures.
To catch a glimpse of this majestic raptor is to understand why the Founding Fathers chose it to represent the strength and courage of our great Nation. Its grace and power in flight, its vigilance and loyalty in defending its family group, and, most of all, its courage make the eagle a proud and appropriate symbol for the United States. Its presence on the Great Seal of the United States—one talon extending the olive branch of peace, the other brandishing the arrows of defense—is a symbol of friendship and cooperation to our allies and a warning to our adversaries that we are not to be trod upon.
No one is certain what the original United States population of the bird was, although it may have approached 75,000 – 100,000. We do know, however, that its extinction has become a disheartening possibility in recent years.
We have sought to prevent that possibility by restricting the use of certain pesticides. Shooting and habitat destruction are also being brought under control as a result of protection and conservation programs conducted under the Bald Eagle Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Scientists believe we are now beginning to see a subtle but definite population increase through the cooperative efforts of Federal and State fish and wildlife agencies, conservation and industrial groups, scientists, and private citizens. These efforts are truly indicative of the spirit of cooperation and perseverance which is at the very heart of our national character.
On June 20, 1782, the bald eagle became our Nation’s symbol and national bird. As we approach the bicentennial anniversary of that event, we have an excellent opportunity to pause and reflect upon the importance of the bald eagle, indeed of all our fish and wildlife resources, to a healthy America. On this occasion, let us renew our commitment and dedication to the conservation of our natural heritage as symbolized by the bald eagle.
Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, in accordance with a joint resolution of the Congress (SJ. Res. 121), do hereby proclaim June 20, 1982 as “National Bald Eagle Day” and designate the year 1982 as the “Bicentennial Year of the American Bald Eagle.” I call upon the people of the United States to join in these observances with appropriate activities in their homes and communities.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 28th day of January in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and sixth.
RONALD REAGAN
Posing Pronghorn buck
Our second day in Yellowstone National Park last week saw us head to the Lamar Valley, our favorite area of the park for seeing wildlife. As always, it did not disappoint.
Among the creatures we were able to view and photograph was this handsome Pronghorn buck. He was initially lounging around, watching the tourists go by then got up and struck a nice pose for me.
Sometimes mistakenly called antelope, their closest relatives are actually giraffes and okapi. It is believed Pronghorn developed their extraordinary speed when the now extinct American Cheetah was a threat.
They are in fact the fastest land animal in the Western Hemisphere and second in the world only to the Cheetah. They can sprint at speeds up to 60mph and run for extraordinarily long distances at slower speeds. That speed and endurance continues to come in handy for escaping the threats of today – coyotes, wolves and of course man.
Surprise little Moose bull
One for Moose Monday from late last week. We were out sightseeing, driving along the Teton Pass Highway just west of Jackson, Wyoming. I spot this dark, brown creature with its head down in a field and at first glance thought it was a horse as it didn’t seem all that big.
Not wanting to miss something good though I quickly pull over just to check and we were happy to find this young bull Moose. He is likely only a year old or so judging by his relatively small stature and the nubs he has for antlers.
Our presence didn’t seem to bother him and he seemed more curious about us than anything but then became bored and moved to a more sheltered spot where we couldn’t see him.
White-tailed Deer doe in the soft morning light
This pretty lady was a bit captivated by me – and I have to admit I was a bit taken by her as well. 😉 The beautiful, golden light of sunrise was pretty much perfect for capturing an image of her as she took a break from grazing.