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
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
