Not a great quality picture but some interesting behavior. Crows, like many birds, are scavengers and this one seems to have found a nice little meal. It was likely left behind by a raptor as there were many eagles and hawks in the area.
Bison calf sticks close to mom
A late arrival at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in December. Most calves are born during the warmer months but this little one decided to appear in the dead of winter and right before a significant snow storm as well.
At the time this picture was taken, it was only five days old. Sooner after, the Denver area got hit with a storm that deposited a good bit of snow and sent temperature plunging. Nevertheless, the little one weathered it like a champ.
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.”
Fire and ice on the Colorado plains
Air temperatures just below freezing, wind chills near zero. Not a particularly hospitable morning when I captured this scene a couple of weeks ago. However, it was absolutely gorgeous and I relished standing there and watching the sun rise over the frozen lake. Average temperatures here are starting to warm up and that ice will gradually begin receding. In another month or so it should be relatively ice-free and then it becomes a haven for a wide variety of birds.
Bald Eagles grab a meal, get chased off by Coyote
A fun little scene on the way home from work one day last week. I spot these two eagles enjoying a Prairie Dog dinner and of course have to take pictures. Soon after, for no reason that I could see, they took off and high-tailed it out of there. As I started to turn away, I saw why they left so quickly. A Coyote was working its way through the grass and getting closer. The Coyote didn’t see me initially but when it did, it too took off running. Lots of fun and a two-for-one wildlife encounter in suburbia!
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Rufous Red-tailed Hawk poses proudly
Here’s one I forgot to post from last month. I usually skip right by Red-tailed Hawks as they are quite common and honestly, I just don’t think they usually are very pretty.
This one however, got my attention. It is a rufous-morph so it has much darker and prettier plumage than a normal Red-tail. That red and brown on its chest were very distinctive and this particular one seemed to know it was a cut above the rest of its more ‘normal’ cousins as it stood tall and proud.
If you see a hawk, there is a very good chance it is a Red-tail. They are likely the most common and can be found year-round across much of the contiguous United States.
Bull Moose enjoys the clean mountain air
Well, in actuality he may have been picking up the scent of a nearby cow. With the rut approaching, the males at this spot in Arapaho National Forest back in August were keenly aware of any females in the area. This particular guy was younger and didn’t have quite as impressive of a rack as the other five bulls but he was not small by any means.
Moose are the largest member of the deer family although the sub-species we have here in Colorado, the Shiras Moose, are the smallest of moose sub-species. That however does not mean they are truly small. They can stand six feet tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 1,200 pounds! You cannot begin to appreciate their size until you are up close with one. It is best to maintain a respectful distance, no matter how gentle they might seem.
Bighorn Sheep ram gets its closeup
An image of one of the senior members of a herd that hangs out in a canyon southwest of Denver. These guys are very accessible (if you don’t mind walking or biking a few miles) and always seem willing to have their picture taken. Those well-worn horns on this ram no doubt tell a story of a life in the rugged Front Range foothills. They have seen countless battles and show the wear and tear of the times it has fended off challengers.
The Bighorn Sheep is the Centennial State’s official animal and to me that is quite fitting. Just like the terrain and many of its people, these animals are very rugged, strong and tough. The animal is found in many places in the state’s high country.
Freedom flyover
Perhaps somewhat appropriate that Inauguration Day falls on the day that I post our nation’s symbol. Powerful, majestic, fierce, proud – words that fit for not only the Bald Eagle but the nation that it represents. Today we witnessed one of the greatest traditions of this republic and I could not help but feel the swells of patriotism. We live in such an extraordinary country and I am grateful to live here, no matter who is President. May God continue to bless the USA!
Bald Eagle pair shows their personalities
I have been photographing this pair of Bald Eagles in northern Colorado for a few years now and have gotten a pretty good feeling for their personalities.
The female, on the right, is very straight-laced. She always is serious, regal and stoic showing little emotion. The male on the other hand seems to be far more light-hearted, shows lots of personality and generally can be a lot more entertaining. This image really showcases how I see them.
While perched next to each other, the female stood tall, proud and looked down on her domain. The male on the other hand was more inclined to just seem to be taking it easy, enjoying the view and occasionally doing seemingly goofy things like here when he was scratching himself.
I consider myself very fortunate to have spent so much time with these two and appreciate having gotten to know them.
The Gray Ghost patrols the plains
During the winter, Northern Harriers are pretty common on the Colorado plains but getting pictures of them is never easy. They don’t sit still for long, are notoriously camera shy and when they fly, they are highly erratic in their paths and very close to the ground.
The male Northern Harrier is nicknamed the Gray Ghost, due to its color and its knack for staying hidden. Historically I haven’t had a lot of luck with getting good captures of them but this winter, for some reason, I have had better luck which is very pleasing to me. Late last month I happened across this one as it zigzagged over a field looking for a meal. That beautiful plumage and those brilliant yellow eyes are just striking.
You’ll find Harriers across much of North America, Europe and Asia depending on the season. Here we call them Northern Harriers but in other spots on the globe they are known as Hen Harriers, Harrier Hawks or Marsh Hawks.
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