Thursday, May 12, 2011

05_07 to 09_2011 More New Beautiful Bird (and some other critter) Photos

We recently headed south to the Alamosa Wildlife Refuge and the Great Sand Dunes in Colorado. We were there almost this time last year and were anxious to return. While there were not huge numbers of birds, we saw many cool ones. For example, several Green-Winged Teals (first photo) at the Refuge.

And who can't just laugh at the site of a male Ruddy Duck in breeding plumage? I mean really - who thought up this hilarious color scheme? We saw only this one - hopefully his friends join him soon at the Refuge.

The beautiful Green-Tailed Towhees were out at the Sand Dunes. Somehow these birds are very exotic to me. Very cool bird.

Many Chipping Sparrows. We watched several of them flitter around and drink at this small puddle.

Back at the Refuge we saw several Beavers. They are sort of creepy up close! We also saw a young porcupine. I got a few photos but he blends so well in the brush he is difficult to see.

We watched several Mountain Chickadees frolic in the trees. Dave got a nice photo of one with a lot of Pine Tree debris on his cute little face.

We had a good time watching this silly Western Scrub Jay drink out of a stream at the Sand Dunes. Like all Jays, he was a comic.

Several Swainsons Hawks were around. We saw them soaring. We saw them nesting. We saw them hunting. And we even saw two mating! In fact, just seconds before this photo was taken, this pretty female has some intimate moments with a handsome male.

We also saw some beautiful Red-Tailed Hawks. Perched it was difficult to see what kind of hawk this was - he was so dark. Once in flight, it was clear we were dealing with a Red-Tailed Hawk. Beautiful!





Free Blog Counter


No comments: