Fish Today

 The male brought a fish in but I missed it by 20 seconds, oh well. 

A little sibling rivalry and the nearby one wanted that!

Wabbit At the Woodpile!

Totally safe and loved (and dogs wonder where she goes.) In the woodpile! 

Fledglings

Five times since the nest was built in 2011, the backyard Bald Eagles have fledged three youngsters, eggs started on March 5th. The lovely perch has since washed away. July 14th, 2017.

Red-tail

We survived the neighborhood artillery fire last evening. Sonora spent the night inside and Sonny the Bald Eagle was totally freaked. I was afraid he would have a heart attack, his roommate Nigel the Golden Eagle was unperturbed. Safe for another year and a newly fledged Red-tailed Hawk flew by, immaculate plumage.

Have A Good One!

 

Fledgling

Right out of the camera, full frame, yesterday afternoon. He was standing right where I have been sitting lately! 

Run Away!

Bald Eagle Fledgling

 

Spotted Sandpiper

 Dozens of these birds flying at the beach for weeks, so COOL!

Brand New

A drypoint etching of my favorite birds this spring, Sandhill Cranes and on the big printing press at 12" x 16", acrylic and gouache paint, pastels and pencils. Just printed a few more listening to Cannonball Adderley on the old CD player, what fun!

On Your Mark....

...Get Set...FLEDGE! Seems like twice as many tree swallows flying around the yard on Thursday and lots of those were newly-fledged, chasing their parents. Here is the youngster in brown, mother, and dad on the fence in the light and soon to be heavy rain.

                                

Black Bear Today

Wow, this bear just started swimming our way when pal Dave Plummer and I were looking at the eagle nest, then he swam right by! Black Bear yearling and some shedding of hair. Thanks dogs for not freaking out!

Taxidermy Days

I was just reminded of my former job as a taxidermist, and this rooster that I mounted for Hugh at Spencer's Hackles in Plains. Hackles are chicken feathers (necks and saddles) highly prized by fly fishermen and fly tiers, died different colors. So we pretended that the chickens themselves were bright blue, green, yellow, red and pink! Bet we fooled someone out there.

Goslings

 

Roof Weekend

Dave Plummer built all the bird enclosures here 25 years ago with Mike Hupe, and he just spent two days on top of our new Falconhouse with a product designed to cut the summertime heat inside. His idea and temperature gauges were installed. On Saturday he scrubbed and one coat with a roller, Sunday a thick brush coat and fingers crossed. I had to bring Sibley inside every day last summer despite insulation, shade cloth and a fan. No shade and 102 degrees. This white reflective product should do the trick, we hope. Look at how white Dave looks up there as he finishes up!

Heron Time

 

Kids And Sculptures!

 

Bird Sculptures Today!

 

MAM Camp

That time of year, Missoula Art Museum Raptors And Art Camp, our 23rd year in a row. Bev Beck Glueckert and I started this in 2003, had a few more camps for the Montana Natural History Center before that. Day 1: Falcons, Day 2: Owls. Now paper mache birds and photos tomorrow, can hardly wait

Heron Today

 

Red-tail In the Wilderness

Top of an irrigation set-up, actually. 

Heron Pal

Beth the Great Blue Heron here for years and back on a favorite perch today. So recognizable with the missing back toe and split in her upper beak, surviver and Friend!

Backyard Rainbow

Chicks

 Both young Bald Eagles and seems like they always fledge on the 4th of July or thereabouts.

Hooded Mergansers

 In the slough (creek) by the house and I love that reflection.

Our Pals the Sandhills

 

Baby Flotilla

 Canada Geese and Hooded Mergansers

Our Boy Today

 

Attack Scene

A Red-winged Blackbird attacked this Red-tailed Hawk across the river, cracks me up 

 

Nestling

Wow, now that's a big Bald Eagle baby at the nest across the river, and haven't seen him/her in well over over a week with floodwaters keeping me and the dogs from our daily trip. Another nestling in there for sure, maybe two!

Sonora is Helping

Rainy day Sunday so stayed right here painting the etching, listening to Dizzy Gillespie LOUD with Sonora  the Aplomado Falcon digging' it.

Heron In the Rain

 

Tree Swallow

I swear this bird is fearless, at the nest box by the gate walking to the river. Cool bird, and banded at the MPG Ranch a mile our two away.

Favorite Class

Here we go again, Chief Charlo 4th graders annual visit then trip to Metcalf Bird Refuge, thanks Mr. Cashman! Wish I asked if anyone wanted to mow that front lawn but knew they would decline as it's a push-mower. And $5 an hour. I've tried that before, oh well.

Here's An Old One, Ospreys

 

Fight

  Alway root for the Osprey!

Happy Birthday, Miles

 Miles Davis would be 100 years old today, my first jazz hero. So much so I named this owl Miles and he was a wonderful program bird for many years. When I said to a  group of middle school kids that this bird is Miles and my last name is Davis, the teachers chuckled. One boy stood up and said, "I know who Miles Davis is - he was my gym teacher in 4th grade!"

Waited and Waited For This One

 

Pretty Robin At the River

 

Big Tour

 Photo by the metal Penguin, and Women In the Wilderness club yesterday. Never had so many laughs!~

BRAND New!

Finished this last night, 11 x 15” drypoint etching with gouache and acrylic paint, pastels. "Kestrel Pair." These acrylic experiments are fun - and I don't have to etch in a background in the plastic or smash in sandpaper with a mallet. Just paint.

My Pal

 What a cooperative companion at the beach, Spotted Sandpiper, and several now.