It's January 26th and there's been snow on the ground for two weeks now which is a good thing cause December was dry as hell and the reservoirs are down... We had snow two Fridays in a row, then this past Thursday again and it's hanging around a bit. Gretch and I got out for a walk into the Bear Creek State Park. Was plenty blustery; we decided to drop in along a little creek from Morrison road, just to do something different, really. Cold and windy enough that not many birds were out that I could see or hear but then on the backside of the lake-- we walked across, then back around, with ice fishing groups posted up on either side-- we ran into an extended group of sparrows flitting around in the brush and brambles near the cottonwoods. Same spot where I saw the Prairie Falcon a few weeks back, cruising just above the waves of grass looking for his supper.
Anyway, yes, Bear Creek Lake is frozen good and solid for the time being which is a good thing cause it's January after all-- the up and down temps of the first half of winter this year haven't allowed the ice to really firm up and the ice fishermen have probably been getting antsy as hell, but it's all good now...
So we walked back westwards on the south side of Bear Creek and at one point I tried to go ahead and cross the creek and my left foot pushed all the way through which was a little annoying but not so bad really, I just backtracked and then of course my foot pushed through a second time and Janx following me pushed through completely with her body, so we were both a bit wet. And decided to continue to the bridge, which is where we bumped into the American Kestrel again-- very cool little guy. I thought to myself maybe my favorite Raptor but no, that's not really true-- I like the Great Horneds and the Prairie Falcons and all the different hawks I've seen in the past month that I can't yet differentiate. But it was nice to see this guy again nonetheless-- think we've maybe seen him before, but maybe not; he seemed smaller than I remembered.
Gretch and I parted ways so I could strike out cross-country up a hill to angle back towards where we'd left the car. I'd knew it'd be a bit of a grunt so we agreed I'd swing back and pick her up at the ranger station. And I started running along the irrigation ditch cause I knew she was only a quarter mile from that station, and I was a good mile and then some from the car across the way. Janx came along behind and we were just dropping down to the road when a shadow flitted across in front of me, and coming to a stop and looking back around there was this big beautiful hawk just settling in the dead pine right behind me. And why? Man and dog running together, making noise and movement, and he flies right in behind them and settles, and didn't mind at all that I was there 10 yards away checking him out, and even when I raised the binocs. Seems like lots of hawks DON'T like it so much when they see you raising your binocs-- just that movement is enough to tip them off, as if they're saying "man... another dang white man bird tourist-- I'm moving on". But this one didn't mind at all and so I brought him into clear view and for the first time perhaps was having a good luck at a raptor's eye-- looking at me. Bright, shiny black it was-- his eye. And his chest and entire underside wonderful fluffy snow white, with a brown/black head, curved beak-- all the usual stuff. But the underside completely white, and the eye that shiny black.
And I thought now that I'm intentionally noticing birds more, maybe they're noticing me more as well. Sure didn't seem to be any real reason for him to settle there right near the road, with so many other trees back across the field in more open space to choose from behind him. Kind of like the cowbird three weeks or so before-- maybe the lines of communication are opening up a bit, or connection, at the very least.
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Monday, January 21, 2019
More favorites--
Add American Widgeon to that-- another duck. "Duck" doesn't do them justice, though. This guy has a cool, wide white streak up the beak that somewhere past the crown of the head -- close to level with the eye on the back of the head-- turns to emerald green. The a splash of white on the shoulder, white and black on the butt, but mostly brown body. Great colors. Much more handsome than they appear in the Peterson guide.
Found a whole mess of 'em below the dam, Bear Creek Lake State Park, mixed in with hundreds of mallards. Some Common Goldeneye in there as well, Hooded Mergansers, Canadian Geese flying by (maybe headed to the lake itself).
Also saw a Green-Winged Teal last Wednesday in Clear Creek, just east of I-70. "Green-winged", he's named, but better would be "Sexy Duck with rocking green bandit bandana across the eye"-- the eye markings much more significant (to me) than anything on their wings.
And came across a group of Cedar Waxwings in the bushes east of there, eating berries. Named these guys "the Martinez bird" in lieu of not knowing at the time-- reminiscent of the hairstyle of one of my colleagues at work, with a little ponytail tuft off the back. Also distinctive about these guys: not skittish, they hung around eating berries even in close proximity of me as I watched, and tail feathers end with a half centimeter of bright yellow. More triangular head, as opposed to rounded. Hang out in groups, like those berries. Also saw a pair preening, picking out puffy tufts of something, standing shoulder to shoulder, almost as if they were kissing a bit, quick pecks on the cheek back and forth...
Found a whole mess of 'em below the dam, Bear Creek Lake State Park, mixed in with hundreds of mallards. Some Common Goldeneye in there as well, Hooded Mergansers, Canadian Geese flying by (maybe headed to the lake itself).
Also saw a Green-Winged Teal last Wednesday in Clear Creek, just east of I-70. "Green-winged", he's named, but better would be "Sexy Duck with rocking green bandit bandana across the eye"-- the eye markings much more significant (to me) than anything on their wings.
And came across a group of Cedar Waxwings in the bushes east of there, eating berries. Named these guys "the Martinez bird" in lieu of not knowing at the time-- reminiscent of the hairstyle of one of my colleagues at work, with a little ponytail tuft off the back. Also distinctive about these guys: not skittish, they hung around eating berries even in close proximity of me as I watched, and tail feathers end with a half centimeter of bright yellow. More triangular head, as opposed to rounded. Hang out in groups, like those berries. Also saw a pair preening, picking out puffy tufts of something, standing shoulder to shoulder, almost as if they were kissing a bit, quick pecks on the cheek back and forth...
favorites
yes, favorites...
in the past i've been excited to see the Lazuli Buntings return-- hit our feeder, perch on the wire there. They stay for 1-2 weeks only that I remember, but are fantastic in their coloring and I've happy they stop at all. Also the western tanager. And the blue of the mountain bluebird. The yellow in the brush of the American Goldfinch. (In the spring, their winter colors are much muted.)
These all birds I know from the past. But the new ones I've noticing this year-- most suddenly pop up to favorite status for a bit...
The Dipper-- I've seen him in the past. Solitary guy. Hangs out at the creek, doing his little quick knee-bends, on a beat. With his quick chirps alerting you as to his whereabouts. Another dip, then another, then boom! he's jumped in and disappeared. Sometimes kayaking down, underwater at least a part of it. Happy in the snow, alone, but maybe appreciating the audience. We've seen him at our park in Morrison, but yesterday up on the South Platte near Foxton as well, on a warming January day. River frozen enough that we could walk up and down it. Thinking it'd be nice to return again today to take a proper walk up or down it for the morning. But probably won't, due to the drive and the intention to head another direction in search of Balds, and to ID that brown, clearly-marked duck of which I saw many the other day at Cormorant Island of Clear Creek-- markings so distinctive it seems ridiculous I haven't figured out what it is yet, but nonetheless there's nothing like it in either of my main books (Audubon and Peterson guides).
in the past i've been excited to see the Lazuli Buntings return-- hit our feeder, perch on the wire there. They stay for 1-2 weeks only that I remember, but are fantastic in their coloring and I've happy they stop at all. Also the western tanager. And the blue of the mountain bluebird. The yellow in the brush of the American Goldfinch. (In the spring, their winter colors are much muted.)
These all birds I know from the past. But the new ones I've noticing this year-- most suddenly pop up to favorite status for a bit...
The Dipper-- I've seen him in the past. Solitary guy. Hangs out at the creek, doing his little quick knee-bends, on a beat. With his quick chirps alerting you as to his whereabouts. Another dip, then another, then boom! he's jumped in and disappeared. Sometimes kayaking down, underwater at least a part of it. Happy in the snow, alone, but maybe appreciating the audience. We've seen him at our park in Morrison, but yesterday up on the South Platte near Foxton as well, on a warming January day. River frozen enough that we could walk up and down it. Thinking it'd be nice to return again today to take a proper walk up or down it for the morning. But probably won't, due to the drive and the intention to head another direction in search of Balds, and to ID that brown, clearly-marked duck of which I saw many the other day at Cormorant Island of Clear Creek-- markings so distinctive it seems ridiculous I haven't figured out what it is yet, but nonetheless there's nothing like it in either of my main books (Audubon and Peterson guides).
Sunday, January 20, 2019
the title (??)
the birds are the new lens... I haven't had trouble motivating to get out over the years-- that's where I like to be, whether it's gardening climbing walking biking, doesn't mattter. But the birds are a new reason. Had a good day out-and-about with Clemmie and Gretch in the South Platte today-- a hike, a lunch, then a stop at split walk to walk up and down the river on the ice and jump back and forth a few times with Clem-- but now i've had a bit of a rest, a fresh cup of Joe and I'm ready to head out again, this time simply to a new spot-- one I've biked by a hundred times, seen guys fishing, but never stopped by with binoculars. Might be some interesting or different ducks down there... :)
Two pair of common golden eye camped out on our Morrison rez right now-- had a look at em this morning. Not typical, but they've been there 4-5 days. There's a small pond of free water within the larger pond that is still frozen-- about a fifth of it is water I spose. But after today more; it's been 50 degrees. Warm yesterday as well, following a good snow and freeze friday into friday night. (Sunday now).
so yeah-- bird, people, places-- cause the birds get me out to places I know but haven't REALLY got to know (you get to know em better walking slowly with binocs than you do biking through at 15mph). And then there are the people along the way too. Other birders, homeless guys, runners, yammers, couples, people with dogs, running groups-- all of em. They offer their own color and variety too, so they may get some notice in this here blog...
Two pair of common golden eye camped out on our Morrison rez right now-- had a look at em this morning. Not typical, but they've been there 4-5 days. There's a small pond of free water within the larger pond that is still frozen-- about a fifth of it is water I spose. But after today more; it's been 50 degrees. Warm yesterday as well, following a good snow and freeze friday into friday night. (Sunday now).
so yeah-- bird, people, places-- cause the birds get me out to places I know but haven't REALLY got to know (you get to know em better walking slowly with binocs than you do biking through at 15mph). And then there are the people along the way too. Other birders, homeless guys, runners, yammers, couples, people with dogs, running groups-- all of em. They offer their own color and variety too, so they may get some notice in this here blog...
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Day 1
The year started out with snow, juncos, and black-capped chickadees out back on my feeder. Cool little guys-- the juncos-- with some different varieties but all the same species, I just found out his past weekend from a much-more-knowledgeable birder up at the Red Rocks trading post (some feeders and activity out back of that).
Later in the morning of New Year's, Clem and I ran over to Bear Creek Lake State Park (BCL) and checked in with the feeder there. Lots more there, including the Downy Woodpecker and a white-crowned sparrow digging around at the base of the feeder like a little chicken. Northern flickers, and typically I've found out that red-wing blackbirds take over the feeders as big, garrulous gang in the mid-afternoon. House finches there as well in the morning...
In a day or two, we'd leave for Santa Fe-- a little road trip to go check out Meow Wolf. But on the way, my plan was to stop at the National Wildlife Preserve outside of Las Vegas, New Mexico. A place I would've never bothered with before now. In the past, I've been drawn to mountains, cliffs, rivers-- but now some marshy land with ponds out on the plains sounds pretty good for seeing some new birds. Hopefully. So yeah, that was the plan...
Later in the morning of New Year's, Clem and I ran over to Bear Creek Lake State Park (BCL) and checked in with the feeder there. Lots more there, including the Downy Woodpecker and a white-crowned sparrow digging around at the base of the feeder like a little chicken. Northern flickers, and typically I've found out that red-wing blackbirds take over the feeders as big, garrulous gang in the mid-afternoon. House finches there as well in the morning...
In a day or two, we'd leave for Santa Fe-- a little road trip to go check out Meow Wolf. But on the way, my plan was to stop at the National Wildlife Preserve outside of Las Vegas, New Mexico. A place I would've never bothered with before now. In the past, I've been drawn to mountains, cliffs, rivers-- but now some marshy land with ponds out on the plains sounds pretty good for seeing some new birds. Hopefully. So yeah, that was the plan...
the thought, idea, intention, trip...
Into the third week of the new year here, rounding out my 49th year on this planet as well. Settling back into a work routine after some good time off...
Anyway, the idea: document some of my walks, outings and trips. In the pursuit of new birds, to some degree. I've dabbled in birding a bit in the past: first introduced in Honduras, but later started paying attention again here in Morrison, Colorado, as the hummingbirds arrived at our feeder, the great blue heron revisited our creek, the night heron was spotted again in his fishing spot hear the little dam/water fall. Suddenly I noticed the lazuli buntings, the tanagers, the orioles, the american goldfinches too, and some of their colors were rocking my world. That was two springs back. My attention was taken by other things: chess, work, garden, kids, food. But now it's back.
So I've embarked on my own little big year. Yep, I'm keeping track of my birds this year, and even contemplating a trip or two based on BIRDS. Well hell yeah, it's as good a reason as any to get out and go somewhere else, right?
So this blog is a place to dump some notes, though I'm surely going to comment on other things as well. People that I see along the way. The places, too. And whatever else.
One challenge is that I really don't know my birds too well yet, so we're looking for some growth here. Hence, I would feel weird about really calling this "a big year"-- I'll spend more time trying to figure out what I just saw than tallying up big numbers. But that's all good. So here goes...
Anyway, the idea: document some of my walks, outings and trips. In the pursuit of new birds, to some degree. I've dabbled in birding a bit in the past: first introduced in Honduras, but later started paying attention again here in Morrison, Colorado, as the hummingbirds arrived at our feeder, the great blue heron revisited our creek, the night heron was spotted again in his fishing spot hear the little dam/water fall. Suddenly I noticed the lazuli buntings, the tanagers, the orioles, the american goldfinches too, and some of their colors were rocking my world. That was two springs back. My attention was taken by other things: chess, work, garden, kids, food. But now it's back.
So I've embarked on my own little big year. Yep, I'm keeping track of my birds this year, and even contemplating a trip or two based on BIRDS. Well hell yeah, it's as good a reason as any to get out and go somewhere else, right?
So this blog is a place to dump some notes, though I'm surely going to comment on other things as well. People that I see along the way. The places, too. And whatever else.
One challenge is that I really don't know my birds too well yet, so we're looking for some growth here. Hence, I would feel weird about really calling this "a big year"-- I'll spend more time trying to figure out what I just saw than tallying up big numbers. But that's all good. So here goes...
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