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).
Breeding males brighten the brush...
and are hands down my favorites at the feeding stations this time of year. They’re arriving in greater numbers now.
Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena).
Flashes of blue with splashes of orange...
makes the return of this colorful bird a welcome sight around the feeding stations every spring.
Adult male Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena).
Hummingbird season arrives...
with steadily increasing visits to the feeders.
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri).
A walkabout at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge...
yields some bird sightings in the wetlands this afternoon.
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) on Kepple Lake.
Various waterfowl on maneuvers on Middle Pine Lake.
A full bill of seeds...
has been grabbed by a greedy jay.
California Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica).
Winter finally arrives...
in Castle Valley with nearly five inches (~12 cm) of snow falling overnight. What a difference a day, and night, makes.
Given the shock and hardship this is presenting the local birds, the daily grain allotment has been doubled at the feeding stations.
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta).
AFTERNOON UPDATE: The sun comes out after an additional several inches of snowfall. It’s very nice to have a helpful neighbor with the proper tools. I’m certain he’s having fun.
First at the breakfast buffet...
this morning, patiently waiting for service.
Immature Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii).
Like a noisy alarm clock...
a large flock of Pinyon Jays invades the feeders shortly after sunrise. Here are two individuals sitting in the sun among a flock of 80 or more.
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus).
Bringing its ground game...
to the feeding stations this afternoon as my free range pet raptor tiptoes through the grass.
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii).
The distinctive V-shaped black band...
across the vibrant yellow breast makes these birds appear to be always dressed for dinner.
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta).
This handsome accipiter...
just winked at me.
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii).
The transparent nictitating membrane closing over the eye.
Ready...set...
go!
Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii).
Click on image to enlarginate.
The first valley floor snow...
this winter is occurring right now in Castle Valley, following nearly a half-inch (~13 mm) of rain earlier in the day.
A pair of Western Meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta) bickering in the snow.
The day after: Snowpack in the La Sal Mountains has risen to 79% of the historical median with 83 days to go to the median peak.
Hiding in the honey locust tree...
at lunch time.
Cooper’s Hawk (Astur cooperii).
Launching from a locust tree...
with determination in its eyes.
Cooper’s Hawk (Astur cooperii).