Monday Again

 "Hey, what's that eagle eating in there?"

Elk

 What a surprise, elk in the back yard last night making their way north. No hurry!

A Boy Owl in the Big Hole

Just finished this etching, another experiment with tools and ink. "Great Gray" is from a trip I took with photographer/pal Keith Fialcowitz in June 2011. We met up with zoologist Jack Kirkley and visited a Great Gray Owl family. Drypoint etching, 11" x 10" with printing inks, gouache, and brush pens and pencils. It brings back wonderful memories. Check out April 22nd Blog!

Friday Fun

Our umpteenth program at Chief Charlo Elementary and here for Kevin Cashman's wonderful 4th graders. First with the neighbor's 80 foot Warehouse looming in the background, then a snapshot. One boy asked me if we had a White Pelican, "No, not a raptor," and I swear a pelican flew over the whole group, circled, less than a minute later! Magic.

Old Nest

A 2009 photo from the East Missoula nest that housed FOUR chicks, all fledged, very rare, and topic of my "Bald Eagle Nest" book from Stackpole Publishing! Finally all four in view at the same time, and took a couple of weeks, I swear.

Sunday

Finally a snapshot with one of the two nestlings. I was headed to the beach with the dogs and turned around to go get my camera, thankfully. 

Tree Swallows!

 

House Wren Song

Yay! One singing in the yard and so much hope they nest near-by, my favorite songbird.

 

Blog, May 14, 2011

Snipe Really Do Exist

I pointed out a flying Wilson’s Snipe to some visitors this week, and they were surprised to learn that there really is such a thing. Apparently one of our friendswas tricked into “snipe hunts” as a kid, pointless ventures into the night with a sack, a practical joke played on all kids. This was a male snipe performing an elaborate flight display marking his territory, flying high and plunging toward the ground. Special muscles fan out his tail feathers which vibrate and make a beautiful winnowing sound. Instead of the typical 12 tail feathers of other birds including sandpipers, snipe have 14 or 16 depending on subspecies. They must have a nest in the grass near the house, and this guy displays well past dark.

 

Wilson's SnipeLand

Man I love these birds and trying to get a flight shot today, an older photo here. The one today was circling the house high above with the tell-tale winnowing sound of tail feathers. We never saw one last year, formally pretty common along with House Wrens and hope they show up again to nest near-by. Plus the Soras, Vaux's Swifts and Bullock's Orioles. Fingers crossed.

Balsamroot Hotspot

Actually, Arrowleaf Balsamroot all over the place, blooming now and beaucoup at my favorite secret spot. That sign says, "Welcome Kate!" Will be perfect in a couple days when the bulk of the lupine is in bloom, but supposed to be overcast and rainy, not perfect for photography. Perfect for the flowers, and that's what matters.

Le Nest

 I just saw TWO chicks through the scope from the house. Try again this afternoon...

Nest today

 Female landing above, male delivering a nice whitefish, and young are camera-shy. 

Dad and Mom Hairy Woodpeckers

 

May Day

This shot from 2002, three young that year and still trying to count the young this year in that giant nest. And two years ago today I had my botched total knee replacement surgery, in pain ever since. Looks like I'll have to undergo another surgery, do it again, utterly awful. I was sick for months, anemia infusion treatments, lost 20 pounds and could't stay awake longer that a couple hours. Botch = mangle in the dictionary.

Hey! Fill This Thing Up!

 Five pairs of Wood Ducks in the yard every morning.

Jazz Sessions Today!

With Annie Garde at the helm, Montana Public Radio from 2-4 pm MST. 89.1 and left of the FM dial, plus https://www.mtpr.org/