Canyon Towhee, In The Garden San Cristobal
Canyon Towhee, in the garden, San Cristobal, NM. This Canyon Towhee shows up in the garden every spring. I don’t know where it goes to in the winter but just like clockwork it returns in late spring each year. It is the only one of the species I see here. On another note, there is a Townsend Solitaire who just returned to the garden this fall and calls out early every morning. We greet each other daily and it’s become a tradition. Thanks for looking. G
Raven, Chaco Canyon, NM
Raven, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. The Ravens are a constant in Chaco, Canyon and can be seen soaring over cliffs and coursing along the rocky outcroppings, ruins and ancient structures. They can also be found robbing camp sites, dumpster diving and chipping holes in plastic water containers when arroyos dry up. They are smart creatures. Thanks for looking. G
Tufted Titmouse, San Cristobal
Tufted Titmouse, San Cristobal, nesting in the studio wall with a blown out, knot hole entrance. I’ve been hearing the excited chatter in the studio for a couple of days now. Especially when the parents return with a beak full of bugs. I stood in the sun for awhile watching both the parents fervently, coming and going. It was hot today. It’s a perfect little nesting site but it concerns me that they are nesting in a wall filled with fiberglass insulation. I’ll plug up the hole when they are fledged. For the time being, I’m glad these two ragamuffins and the family were in a nice, cool spot in the shade. Thanks for looking. G
Sky Bird Summer Storm
Sky bird, summer storm. It intrigues me the way birds in flight always seem to be on a mission. I wonder where they are going, when will they get there and what is it that’s waiting for them. Then I see them dumpster diving at the Taco Bell and my romantic notion is shattered. Thanks for looking. G
Adobe Home, Magpie Nest, San Cristobal
Adobe home, magpie nest, San Cristobal. This incredible, intricately constructed nest is now a garden curio. The magpies will, no doubt, recycle the materials in to a new nest/adobe home construction next year. At least I hope so. Thanks for looking. G
Mountain Bluebird, Mesita, Colorado
Mountain Bluebird, Mesita, Colorado. Pretty sure this is a juvenile Mountain Bluebird. The bird emerged from one of the windows of an abandoned homestead we were photographing. It alighted on this bit of scrub nearby. The bluebirds are in abundance this year with ample opportunities for images. Thanks for looking. G
Pinyon Jay, Arroyo Hondo, NM
Pinyon Jay, Arroyo Hondo, NM. On the road last week a large flock of Pinyon Jays exploded out of the sage. This one hung out for a few shots and then peeled off the post in a flash and headed west after the rest of the flock. Thanks for looking. G
Nesting Red-Tailed Hawk
Nesting Red-tailed Hawk in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. It’s that time of year again and all the usual nest locations are occupied, except one. The pair that raised two chicks in that particular nest last year, are now nesting in another tree close by. It’s a privilege getting to observe these families of raptors in their environment. Not wanting to disturb this bird we made a few images and moved on. Thanks for looking. G
Cedar Waxwing, Downtown Taos
Cedar Waxwing, downtown Taos, New Mexico. Foraging around the Russian Olive trees between Mickey D’s and Ace Hardware. Maybe three of them and a few Robins. This one settled on the big rock for a few shots. Then they all, including the Robins, took off! Read more about the Cedar Waxwing here. Thanks for looking. G
Red-Tailed Hawk Aloft
Red-Tailed Hawk aloft over Cerro New Mexico. On the way to a quick photo shoot near Ute Mountain, I caught this beautiful raptor out the car window. I’m convinced it knows my maroon 4 Runner as it has a knack for taking off, from it’s perch, when it sees me long before I pull over. In this case it flew in my direction right past my open window. Thanks for looking. G
Monte Vista NWR, Sandhill Cranes
Monte Vista NWR. Sandhill Cranes with the sun trying to break through clouds, adding a nice background drama to the evening fly in of the sandhill cranes at the wildlife refuge this week in Monte Vista, Colorado. Thanks for looking, G
Raven On The Post
Raven sitting on a fence post in a sun shower enjoying the last rays of light at sunset. Another raven was on a nearby post, with a lot to say as ravens often do. This bird didn’t answer or do much of anything. I like to think perhaps, it was actually enjoying the moment. Thanks for looking. G
Mountain Bluebird Of Happiness
Mountain Bluebird of happiness in the snow covered Ranchos de Taos valley today. This gorgeous, happy little creature was hopping along the fence and tree line paralleling the road we were on. We slowed down and came to a stop where this bird playfully dropped to the verge for a snack, then back up to the fence for a few photos, repeating this playful behavior a few times, with more photos at each break. Today, I believe, we watched happiness in action. Thanks for looking. G
Horned Lark, San Luis Valley
Horned Lark on another photography adventure in the San Luis Valley, Colorado yesterday. Vast expanses of white and white-out with blizzard conditions at times. Two bald eagles, a Zone-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, numerous Red-tailed Hawks, a large flocks of Ravens, Crows, and Magpies along with thousands of these Horned Larks in huge flocks, foraging around the edge of the fields. Thanks for looking. G
White-Breasted Nuthatch
White-Breasted Nuthatch on the Ash tree in San Cristobal, New Mexico. This is a predominant attitude and posture for this little fellow. Scarpering frenetically up and down and around the tree trunks is another. Fun to watch for sure. Having a fast trigger finger definitely helps. You can read more on the White-Breasted Nuthatch here. Thanks for looking. G
Canyon Towhee Snow, San Cristobal
Canyon Towhee in the snowfall today in, San Cristobal, New Mexico. Stayed in all day and watched the flocks of jays, crows, doves, juncos and this Canyon Towhee who seemed to thoroughly enjoy being ‘out in it’ while occasionally dipping in to the feeder buried under the snow. Thanks for looking. G
