I happened across this nice looking raptor on Friday as it sat perched in a cottonwood tree. The golden leaves made for a nice scene although judging by the look on the hawk’s face, I am not so sure it appreciated having its picture taken. 😉
American Bald Eagle s t r e t c h e s
American Bald Eagle s t r e t c h e s. 😉
Oh, how I miss this awesome eagle. For two winters it hung out in the park near our city’s recreation center providing many awesome photo opportunities. Unfortunately, last year it didn’t return. Hopefully this season I get to see it again. Taken February 2015.
Dirty-headed Bald Eagle performs flyby
No, its head really isn’t dirty. This particular eagle is in fact just young, probably around four years old. Bald Eagles are born entirely brown and then gradually change in the years to come, not getting their distinctive white head and dark brown plumage until they are about five.
I captured this image back in March in Morgan County, Colorado as the eagles were preparing to leave for the summer. We are now at the opposite end of their annual movement and should start seeing them arrive here soon along the Front Range for winter. I can’t wait! If you live in the area and happen to spot any, please do let me know. Have a great weekend!
White-tailed Deer at attention in front of the Rocky Mountains
I have to say that I find this to be a very cool image.
This doe and fawn were grazing on the Great Plains and looked right at me when they realized I was there. The early morning sun lit up the immediate landscape in shades of autumn gold. In the background, the snow-covered Rocky Mountains including the imposing 14,259-foot-high Longs Peak. That mountain is about 50 miles from where I was at!
White-tailed Deer are North America’s smallest deer. They are very fleet-footed capable of speeds up to 30mph and able to leap as high as 10 feet and as far as 30 feet in a single bound.
Out for a stroll on the snow with Mom
A capture from my trip to Glacier National Park back in June. There was still a good bit of snow on the ground in shady areas of Logan Pass when these two Mountain Goats came strolling through in the evening. They worked their way to an open patch of ground and quickly commenced eating voraciously.
This particular female is one that has been outfitted with a collar by state and federal biologists. Using GPS or VHF radio, the collars allow scientists to track the animal and better understand its movements and how they are affected by human presence in the busy national park.
Young Osprey in head on flight
From a morning last month spent with this very cool juvenile. Its parents set up their home in a state park in northern Colorado and not long after they had this new addition. Usually the juveniles are pretty tolerant of people but this particular one never seemed to care for us two legged mammals.
Most Osprey have left Colorado for the season and are heading to the warmer environs of the coasts of Mexico and South America. These raptors are actually a type of a hawk. Making them a bit unique is that they almost exclusively live near water and dine on fish. Aiding them in their ability to catch fish is an unusual reversible outer toe that allows them to get a better grasp from behind in addition to the front.
Two bucks for Tuesday
I happened across these two handsome fellows Friday at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. In case you didn’t know, the refuge has just opened a greatly expanded auto tour that adds about nine miles to the drive. You really should go check it out if you live in the Denver area.
Bison bull goes for a roll on the prairie
It’s Tatanka Tuesday! This is a fun series of images I captured on Sunday. This bull and another were hanging out near each other and there seemed to be a bit of tension between the two (the day before I had seen them fight). This one, the larger of the two, decided it was time to show off and rolled on its back and side and thrashed around a bit.
This is called wallowing and Bison do this to deter flies and remove old fur. Perhaps in this case, they also do it to leave behind their scent and show their strength during mating season.
Earlier this year the American Bison became the official mammal of the United States – a very fitting and long overdue honor.
These massive animals were hunted to the brink of extinction in the 1700s and 1800s with as few as 750 reported by 1890. Their numbers have since rebounded with about 500,000 now living on public and private lands. Native Americans call them Tatanka, a Lakota word that translated means “bull buffalo.”
The old man of the forest
It’s Moose Monday! I don’t know how old this big guy was but he was definitely the senior of the bulls last month. His battle scarred face, sheer physical size and massive antlers certainly would seem to tell the story of a life fighting other bulls and many harsh seasons at high altitude.
Moose on average live between 15 and 20 years. I certainly hope that next year I have the privilege of photographing this majestic animal again. Taken in the Indian Peaks Wilderness area of Colorado.
Bull Elk bugles with his mouth full
Certainly we are told to not talk when you have a mouth full of food but for a Elk bull during the rut when his hormones are raging the infraction might be forgiven. 😉
This big guy found himself without any ladies on the morning of October 2nd. He however was not giving up on the opportunity to pass his genes on. One of his rivals had a nice size harem near by and this guy was keeping close watch, making lots of noise, just waiting for the opportunity to steal away some of the cows.
Taken in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.