in the cottonwood trees this morning for a raiding band of jays, hungrily gleaning seeds and dead tent caterpillars from the canopy.
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus).
Eye of the Whale Arch...
Click image to enlarge.
Thank goodness for screen protectors...
on outdoor gear that is used in rough and rugged environments. Here’s the screen of my Garmin Fenix 6X Pro watch after a tumble several days ago. Gulp. Then I realized I had put a screen protector on the three year old device when first purchased. The Gorilla Glass used in the watch screen is entirely unscratched. Brilliant.
RadRover round up...
today in Castle Valley as a friend and neighbors visit. Warning: Don’t ride one unless you want to buy one.
Two RadRover 5 ebikes on the left with two RadRover 6 ebikes on the right (rightmost is step-through frame).
Deep dive into...
the vibrant macro world of a blossoming Whipple’s fishhook cactus (Sclerocactus whipplei).
Mount Saint Helens erupted...
42 years ago, around 8:30 am PDT on Sunday, 18 May 1980, decapitating the mountain in an enormous landslide. Large emissions of ash, pyroclastic flows and debris flows flattened surrounding forests, destroyed roads and bridges, and killed 57 people.
USGS file photo.
Personally, I was in graduate school at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, and grateful that I wasn’t in the Pacific Northwest at the time, or for many months afterwards.
Super Flower Blood Moon eclipse...
as Luna enters totality this evening.
Total lunar eclipse caught at 9:30 pm MST.
Relocation project underway...
for this increasingly annoying rock squirrel that regularly vacuums up the seed for my feathered friends. I’ve supported this somewhat entertaining rodent through the winter months, but now it’s time for it to fend for itself elsewhere.
Rock squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus) caught in a live trap and about to go for a ride.
Chillin' in the bush...
after performing his warbling U-shaped diving courtship display for an unseen mate.
Adult male Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri), the size of your little finger.
Refueling after its vigorous aerial acrobatics.
The common House Finch...
taking a break from nest building, hanging out in the squawbush.
Adult male House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus).
Hummers have returned...
to my feeder in greater numbers this year than last, a good sign.
Adult male Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri).
Shot at 1/2000th of a second, the wings are still in motion in these images.
Peak pungency is occurring...
right now in southeastern Utah, as cliffrose explodes with a sweet-smelling natural perfume that fills the air in the canyons.
Cliffrose (Purshia mexicana).
Too bad this image isn’t scratch-n-sniff.
Named after the blue gemstone...
lapis lazuli, this colorful songbird is very shy and difficult to catch at the feeder. But patience and stealth has its rewards.
Adult male Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena) in vibrant breeding plumage.
Say's Phoebe...
is a lovely tyrant flycatcher, whose family has nested at my neighbor’s home ever since it was built in the early 2000s.
Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya).
Winter won't let go...
as yet another snow squall rolls across the La Sal Mountains this chilly evening.
Here come the cacti...
Whipple's fishhook cactus (Sclerocactus whipplei).
Claret cup cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus).
A cattle drive...
across my daily mountain biking route is not something that one encounters every day. Ranchers are moving cattle from Professor Valley and along the Sylvester Trail as I hang back to let them pass.
Click on image to embiggenate.
Prepping for the next adventure...
in the British Isles and Norwegian fjords, a small ship trip with Apex Expeditions, departing late this month. Here’s a map showing our intended travels and a link to the detailed itinerary.
I’ve worked this region before with Apex, and there is a “British Isles” portfolio of images in the Gallery. Navigate to the main menu and enjoy.
A large melodic sparrow...
is frequently seen and heard rummaging through the saltbush and rabbitbrush for an insect meal.
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus).
Triggered by recent heavy rain...
the high desert plants begin the blossoming parade in Castle Valley.
Yellow cryptanth (Cryptantha flava).
Indian paintbrush (Castilleja linariifolia).
Panicled death camas (Toxicoscordion paniculatum).