Horned Lark, Capulin, Colorado.
Horned Lark, on a fence post in the village of Capulin, Colorado. I did get a close up of this little fellow, but I prefer this image which is how he looked when I first caught a glimpse as we drove past. Here’s a close up of a Horned Lark from last year in the snow. They usually flock in the thousands, foraging around the roadsides and fields. This one was on it’s own and he didn’t seem to mind. Thanks for looking. G
Lewis’s Woodpecker, San Cristobal
Lewis’s Woodpecker, a regular visitor to the garden in San Cristobal, NM. When I finally looked at the images I discovered that he wasn’t trying to retrieve a kernel or two or three from the hole in the fence post, he was drinking the snow melt water that had accumulated there. As you can see I caught the drip. I love these birds. Thanks for looking. G
Dark-Eyed Juncos, Garden, Snow
Dark-Eyed Juncos, in the garden and the snow today. I had fun hanging out with about five dozen of these little ones storming the bird feeders today. They were unafraid of the guy with the camera in polar gear, and as long as I stood still they stayed around, happily devouring a few pounds of seed. Over the last six days they’ve gone through 30 pounds of seed. And me? After I darned near froze my fingers off and the battery in the camera died in the 20º temps, it was time for a cup of tea! Thanks for looking. G
Up Close, Personal, Great Blue Heron
Up close and personal Great Blue Heron in the Bosque del Apache, NWR, New Mexico. While we’re on the topic, I thought I would share an image of this different, more mature, Blue Heron. I have lots of images of these magnificent creatures. I’ll share more at some point in a later posts. The light source for this bird is the sun immediately after breaking over the horizon, the best kind spotlight. Thanks for looking. G
Great Blue Heron, Bosque del Apache, NWR
Great Blue Heron, in the Bosque del Apache, National Wildlfe Refuge, New Mexico. These birds have their own territories at the Bosque del Apache, so much so, that one can find them in the same spot from one year to the next. I swear I know this Great Blue Heron intimately after all my trips. Thanks for looking. G
Townsend’s Solitaire, Winter Ash Tree
Townsend’s Solitaire in the winter ash tree in the garden, San Cristobal NM. I spent some time outside on the deck this afternoon. The feeders were overrun with Dark-eyed Juncos, a few Sparrows, half a dozen American Crows, Mourning Doves and a Lewis’ Woodpecker. The woodpecker returned after a month absence to retrieve the seeds it had stashed in the cottonwood tree. This Townsend’s Solitaire, normally sits in the tops of the trees and sings it’s song. Today it sat on the lower branches for a few snaps. It then returned to the top of a juniper tree. I’ve never seen it feeding at one of the feeders. Thanks for looking. G
Dark-Eyed Junco, San Cristobal, NM
Dark-eyed Junco, in the garden in San Cristobal, NM. This little guy survived my boot as I walked across the deck. I spotted one Dark-eyed Junco on the ground after hitting a window on the house. I picked it up and almost stepped on this bird which flew up on to the patio chair and stayed there. This bird may have hit a window also. It stayed here while and I made some images. The bird I had picked up, was now resting on a fence post in the sun where I left it. The incident concluded with both birds flying off, hopefully not too worse for ware. I’ll be adding decals to the windows to warn these little creatures. Thanks for looking. G
Snow Geese, Flashback 2009, Bosque Del Apache, NWR
Snow Geese and moon, flashback to 2009 in the Bosque Del Apache, NWR. There were so many snow geese flying overhead, so I had a lot of opportunities to catch them in front of the moon as it was rising. I’m looking forward to making a number of trips to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge again this winter. As always thanks for looking. G
Ravens, Enchanted Circle, NM
Ravens on the Enchanted Circle, a scenic byway drive in northern New Mexico. This picture doesn’t do their size justice. They were very large and posed for a few images before taking off. Thanks for looking. G
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
