Red-tail

This big Red-tailed Hawk, guessing a one-year-old by tail plumage and eye color, flew up off the ground and landed on a big branch that immediately broke off. She squeaked like a little girl!

New Beginnings

Thanks to Dave Plummer and Mike Hupe, our carpenters extraordinaire. After 13 years at a rental ranch in Clinton, all ours. We built the enclosures in a week and the neighbors were convinced it was going to be a puppy mill! No, hawks.

TODAY!

Another Comparison!

Wild Turkeys

A family at the bird feeder where I scatter seed from the pigeon building on the ground. A late brood, so maybe the first attempt failed (she'll only have one per year.) Youngsters have been seen as late as mid-October in Montana, and the Peterson Birds' Nest Field Guide reports that eggs will number 8-15, often 11-13.  I swear there were 12 chicks with this hen!

For Comparison's Sake

Look what I just found on an old disk in the bottom drawer - a photo of our soon-to-be-home taken in March 2001, and one I took a few minutes ago.  Those are tomatoes growing on the fence, flowers from Brown's Greenhouse, and Tom the horticulturist in the family.    A few improvements...

New Etching

Max our great Golden Eagle for 30 years or so. Tragically a coyote pulled his wing completely off through the wire, as he "incubated" a rock in a nest he built on the ground with sticks. This one a drypoint etching with gouache paint, 10" x 7".

Not-Quite Full

 

Another One, Youngster

 

Antique Yard Cranes

This is where those Sandhill Crane parents were showing off their "rolling bugle" which can be heard for well over a mile. Our neighbor collects antique farm equipment, the cows next door and always so happy to see a successful crane family in the neighborhood. Last night they all flew to the river behind the house right at dark.

Mixed Flock

I heard a strident series of Sandhill Crane calls this morning so checked out right across our little street to find parent cranes mingling with cows and two youngsters. More on the way and what fun. Could never have done this in the old film days, 300+ snapshots through the grass so most not even uploaded.

Kingbirds Everywhere

A big drive in the Bitterroot yesterday and have never seen so many Eastern Kingbirds;  everywhere, especially in Metcalf Refuge. When you are watching a Red-tailed Hawk flying overhead, chances are it's a kingbird that is attacking and taking a brief ride on board, just because they can.

Eagle and Trout

 Wonder if this fish was "selfied" by everyone in the boat first. Sorry.

Common Merganser Family

 

Checking Out The Dogs

 

Another Weird Cloud

 

The ZACC!

Youngsters from Zootown Arts Community Center, downtown Missoula and a field trip courtesy artist and leader Patricia Thornton (purple dress in the left.) Thanks also Julie and Joe, and you little artists, happy to have you!

Morning Storm

The torrential rain and hail began as I was walking down the stairs and back to the house from the studio over the garage.  cumulonimbus clouds!
    

Plunger!

 

Pretty Much Finished

8 1/2 " x 11" drypoint etching, House Wren in the front yard

 

New Calendar 2025!

Thanks to our pals at Minuteman Press, 2100 South Ave. West,  Missoula for our new calendar!! Here is owner Rebecca Treece, plus Michael and Erica in assembly and design printing 200. Available next week at Rockin Rudy's and through us, $20.  All proceeds help our organization, and wait 'till you see these, gifts to our Raptor Backers. The best color and assembly ever - 12 BIRDS!