are clearly rejoicing now that the horn of plenty is being replenished on a daily basis upon my return.
Constantly amusing white-tailed antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus).
Thieving California Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica).
This small rusty and blue thrush...
is pretty common in the woodlands of eastern Washington this time of year. Perhaps a juvenile male?
Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana).
Meanwhile, this teeny tiny woodpecker slakes its thirst at a nearby water bowl.
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens).
And then there was one...
chick left hanging close to Mama, scratching at the ground feeding station late in the afternoon. Down from four poults earlier in the summer.
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo).
A reliable midday visitor...
at the always brimming watering hole, Woodsy Owl knows where to dip its beak, and toes, on a hot day in the ponderosa forest.
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus).
Well-camouflaged Woodsy has eyes for you!
DoorDash delivery by Mama Osprey...
with a teeny serving of carp this evening, trying to coax Junior into flight. It worked!
American Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).
Junior is clearly not happy with the tiny portion size. Not putting up with the squawking, Mama takes flight nearly immediately.
After consuming the meager morsel, Junior exercises its wings and immediately takes flight off the platform! Godspeed!
A wise old friend...
visits the bird bath after a hot and smoky afternoon. It appears to be a youngster.
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus).
A Wild Turkey hen...
struts her stuff through the brown and tinder dry brush with her brood of four little ones (not seen in the image below).
Wild Turkey hen (Meleagris gallopavo).
Mama delivers fresh fish...
to Junior in the nest this evening. Looks like it’s carp sashimi on the menu. They’re not called fish hawks for nothing!
American Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).
Considerable plaintive screeching...
did not summon Mama with a delivery of fresh fish during Operation Osprey Watch this evening. Junior is just beginning to wiggle its wings and it will be a while before it’s flight capable.
American Osprey chick (Pandion haliaetus).
A blockade of birds on the trail...
shortened my morning ride by about a mile.
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis).
A pair of preening pelicans...
relaxing on a log in the wetlands early this morning.
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos).
Operation Osprey Watch is on again...
this summer as the platform nest is once again occupied, much to my delight. Mama’s housekeeping hasn’t seemed to improve in the interim. There may be a second, smaller fledge in the nest, too.
American Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).
Funny finches...
drinking from the irrigation emitter that refills the bird bath.
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus).
Riding thermals in tight circles...
these aerial scavengers are spying a dead skunk on a neighboring property.
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura).
Loud and raucous chattering...
by a mischief of Magpies occurs like clockwork every morning as they raid the feeding stations. Smart and entertaining birds, but noisy.
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia).
Every nook and cranny...
is searched for elusive nuggets of grain and seed.
Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena).
A red fox takes dinner...
in the front yard early this evening. Nature red in tooth and claw.
Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) enjoying dove tartare.
The most capable off road recovery crew...
in red rock canyon country is Trailmater Offroad Recovery and that’s a fact. While I wasn’t in need of their rescue services today, they are conservationists at heart and promote the protection of endangered species in the high desert. So I bought a t-shirt in support of their efforts to protect the endangered Diamond-billed Rock Pecker that was hunted to near extinction due to the damage they cause by drilling holes in the surrounding sandstone.
The recovery fleet of purpose-built wreckers parked in front of the shop on US Highway 191 south of Moab: Ol’ Blue, Trailmater and Mini-Mater (left to right).
An old friend returns...
to the feeding stations and sits for its portrait.
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus).
More lapis loveliness...
found in a hanging dish feeder, shoveling the seed down as if it’s never eaten.
Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena).