On Saturday we took a ride to check on our motorhome, which is stored about seven miles from our home. While there I noticed several Western Kingbirds perched in Cottonwood trees that run along a fence line separating the storage facility from an open grassland.
I wanted to try to capture an image of these Flycatchers. I got my camera and slowly approached the fence so as not to scare them. I stopped not too far away and just stood there hoping they would get use to seeing me.
After a few minutes, one of the Western Kingbirds flew high into the air and came gliding down toward me. This fearless, striking gray and yellow bird then continued to fly in circles around me as it gave me a scolding. Loud, buzzing, vocals combined with graceful, acrobatics. How fun.
A few seconds of this behavior and it flew back to its perch. I stood there for a couple more minutes, thoroughly scolded, but not deterred. The Kingbird must have decided I was not a threat, because I was ignored after that.
I was able to observe, their gymnastic flying and hunting abilities as they snatched bugs out of the air. There was plenty of “fussing” between the Kingbirds, I guess reminding each other which Cottonwood tree was theirs.
These photos are my first images of Western Kingbirds. Wish I could have gotten closer.
Got Ya!Western Kingbird – after a bug.Western KingbirdWestern Kingbird – its too hot!
Growing up in the South the Northern Mockingbird was a common sight. As a kid I enjoyed its repertoire of notes and mimicking vocals. It is a beautiful songbird with a huge personality.
The Mockingbird will defend a large territory, up to two acres, and often will chase just about anything that happens to cluelessly meander into its home base. An area this large it must keep darn busy.
I have been dive-bombed many times. Birds, dogs and cats watch out it will peck you on the head, on the butt, and everywhere in between if you get anywhere near its nest.
Sitting from a high perch the Mockingbird likes to sing when other birds are peacefully roosting. If you have ever laid awake at night with the window open and are lucky enough to live in the Northern Mockingbird’s range, you probably have been lulled to sleep by its pleasing, repetitive song.
As an adult, I enjoy seeing and hearing this enchanting songbird. Its presence always brings back delightful memories for me of playing in the yard and climbing trees.
Don’t you wish we could climb trees again with nothing more to worry about than getting harassed by a Northern Mockingbird?
Northern Mockingbird sitting pretty in the evening light ( taken in JDSP)
Northern Mockingbird taken at Rainbow Springs State Park
Northern Mockingbird has his eye on a bug (taken in Jonathan Dickinson State Park)
A Northern Mockingbird watching us as we walked along the path (taken in Jonathan Dickinson State Park)
Northern Mockingbird sitting at the top of a tall tree (taken in Mississippi)
~ Did you capture my best side? ~
Northern Mockingbird had enough of me (taken in Jonathan Dickinson State Park)
Some dear friends of ours are currently traveling toward home, in their motorhome. They spent several days at Lake Whitney, TX and while there, they were entertained by six, comical Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. How exciting to see six at once.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Their funny story reminded me of some photos I took of a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, back in April of 2012 at Caprock Canyon State Park. (Hope ya’ll enjoy these.)
Caprock Canyon State Park is located in Briscoe County, Texas, south of Amarillo.
It is known for its deep, colorful ravines and the fact that it is home to the official Bison Herd in the state of Texas.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Caprock Canyon State Park
Beautiful evening light at Caprock Canyon State Park
The Western Scrub-Jays are beautiful, bright and entertaining…..
They spend their spring and summers in my yard and for that I am grateful.
Every morning, when I go outside to put fresh water in the bird baths, they come gliding in, demostrating just how graceful they are.
They also come with hopes of getting a peanut or two.
Baby – Western Scrub-Jay Not the best place to land, but he/she is still just a baby. It has been fun watching this baby learn what and what not to eat!
Early Monday morning a friend and I left Loveland and headed to Rocky Mountain National Park. It is a short drive of about twenty miles and I always take the scenic route through the town of Glen Haven. It is a gorgeous drive.
Traveling though the Big Thompson Canyon is always a special event, with its tall, jagged, cliffs jetting into the sky above you and the flowing waters of the Big Thompson River running below you.
Most times, driving this canyon, one will get a glimpse of a few Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep grazing on the sides of these steep, stone walls, but on this trip we did not spot any.
As you drive through the canyon there are many places to pull off the road and enjoy the scenery and the smoothing sounds of the rapidly flowing river, especially this time of year with the spring snow melt raging downstream.
It is relaxing to stand by the river, close your eyes and listen to the sound of the water as it searches it way over, around and even under boulders that are in its path as it traverses down the canyon.
Fly fishers (men and women) {Smile} come to the waters of the Big Thompson from all over the world to cast their lines hoping to snag a Rainbow Trout. It seems so memorizing observing a person out in the middle of a stream, dressed in waders and all their waterproof clothing, casting their long lines back and forth, back and forth. I will have to try to photograph a fly fisher person.
As we left the canyon having traveled through the little mountain town of Glen Haven we crested the last hill and descended into the valley toward Estes Park. The Rocky Mountains, with their snow covered peaks, are what you see first. As your eyes adjust to seeing these magnificent mountains you can then and only then take in the beauty of the valley as it stretches out in front of you.
Mountain Blue Birds call this area home in the spring and summer and you will usually see them sitting on a fence post or flying up to catch a bug. I did not get to take a photo of one, but next time….
This year we had two late-spring snow storms that took a told on the Mountain Blue Bird population as they were migrating through the area. People were reporting large numbers of dead birds in their yards. One lady had twelve. My husband and I found two in our yard.
Leaving the valley, heading to the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, we had to make an immediate u-turn. We had spotted a huge, bull Elk along the side of the road and decided he would definitely be worth a photo or two. One can imagine, or maybe not, spending the winter at or near 12,000 feet. This poor guy was looking exactly like he had experienced a harsh winter – a little ragged with tuffs of fur hanging in clumps off his body; however he still was wearing his beautiful felt-covered antlers. He was having a mid-morning snack at a backyard bird feeder. Good for him.
We finally entered the park. As we drove and hiked around experiencing the serenity and wonder of this national park, as on this day and with every visit, it did not fail to bring joy to my soul and deep appreciation for the beauty of nature.
The highlight for me, this visit, were the two dueling male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds defending their territory. Each surveying their world from the high perch of their own pine tree. High into the air they would fly, soaring downward and then back up just as you think they are going to crash into the ground. Who is the bravest?
We drove the twenty miles back home with wonderful memories and meaningful impressions of a successful and fun day visiting Rocky Mountain National Park.
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