Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

Sounds of spring return to the Colorado plains

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A red winged blackbird calls out from the cattails. (© Tony's Takes)
A red winged blackbird calls out from the cattails. (© Tony’s Takes)

There are a few, distinctive bird calls that you can’t help but hear frequently at the lower elevations of the Centennial State. Among them, the red-winged blackbird and western meadowlark. Both have started to arrive on the Front Range and yesterday a number of them put on a nice show.

Red-winged blackbirds are often found just like this guy, hanging out near wetlands, calling out. Western meadowlarks hang out in the open grasslands and prairie, oftentimes perching on fence posts.

A western meadowlark sings the song of spring. (© Tony's Takes)
A western meadowlark sings the song of spring. (© Tony’s Takes)

Western meadowlark sounds off

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A western meadowlark sings a song on the plains. (© Tony's Takes)
A western meadowlark sings a song on the plains. (© Tony’s Takes)

Spend any time on the Colorado plains and this is one bird you are certain to hear. They are very common and their song is quite unique and beautiful. This particular bird was perched on some grass, making its presence known to anyone or anything nearby. The morning light helped make for a cool capture as it sounded off.

Western meadowlark chills out in a frost-covered tree

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A western meadowlark tries to stay warm in a frost-covered tree. (© Tony’s Takes)
A western meadowlark tries to stay warm in a frost-covered tree. (© Tony’s Takes)
These birds are very common in Colorado and their distinctive song is one heard often in the spring and summer. I normally don’t take pics of ‘little birds’ but the chubby little one’s bright yellow really stood out against the white of the frost and snow.

Prairie Falcon enjoys Meadowlark for breakfast

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I thought my photo day was done and had pointed my truck for home. About halfway there, I see a flurry of activity on a utility pole ahead and slow to take a closer look. Much to my delight I find a Prairie Falcon that had just snagged a Western Meadowlark and was preparing to dine on it.

The falcon wasn’t particularly comfortable with me being there but was hungry enough to tolerate my presence. Prairie Falcons are not very big but just as ferocious as any raptor, preferring to dine on smaller birds, oftentimes diving right into flocks and snatching their prey.

Scroll down to view the complete gallery.

A Prairie Falcon prepares to devour a Western Meadowlark. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Prairie Falcon prepares to devour a Western Meadowlark. (© Tony’s Takes)

Red-Tailed Hawk dines on Meadowlark

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I don’t normally pay much attention to these raptors because they are quite common and generally I don’t find them particularly photogenic. However, because they are common, sometimes you can get them doing some pretty cool things.

Such was the case when I came across this one a couple of days ago. It was perched on a pole dining on what appeared to be a Western Meadowlark that it had caught.

I’ve seen Red-tails eat more terrestrial fare like prairie dogs, rabbits and snakes but this is the first time I have seen one eat another bird. After eating a bit and giving me a nasty stare, it decided it preferred someplace with more private dining accommodations and flew off.

A Red-tailed Hawk dines on a Western Meadowlark on the plains of Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Red-tailed Hawk dines on a Western Meadowlark on the plains of Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Red-tailed Hawk dines on a Western Meadowlark on the plains of Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Red-tailed Hawk dines on a Western Meadowlark on the plains of Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Red-tailed Hawk dines on a Western Meadowlark on the plains of Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Red-tailed Hawk dines on a Western Meadowlark on the plains of Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Red-tailed Hawk takes flight with its meal of Western Meadowlark on the plains of Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Red-tailed Hawk takes flight with its meal of Western Meadowlark on the plains of Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)