Backyard Visitors

We were startled to see the Stellar's Jay in our backyard, thinking that it normally would be at higher elevations. But here it was!
The junco's are cute and lively and beautiful.  The scrub jays gave me a chance to get some closeups to better show their beauty.

Another sunny day at the refuge

Duck and goose season are on so there is quite a bit of traffic up and down the road. As a result, GBH's and other birds are mostly hanging out other places than near the road.
But the weather is superb and the fall colors are invigorating; Molly loves the water and chasing ducks as they fly away - a great way to spend a few hours plus get some exercise.

Silver Lake

Diana and I drove up to Silver Lake yesterday afternoon - a nice time to drive up the canyon. Most leaves were gone, but the beauty is there in the forest with the patterns exposed - aspen and pines.
Quiet up there once the people moved on - always amazing to me how much people talk in the wilderness. They never get to truly enjoy the depth of the present in front of them.
Back at the parking lot a couple of Stellars Jays entertained us.

Not much snow in the mountains...

Refuge Tuesday, this week.

Every day at the refuge is a new day - meaning that the days don't repeat themselves in terms of wildlife that I see. That's one of the things that makes the refuge so fascinating.

Yesterday was mostly a red-tailed hawk day, young folks sitting around and then being curious about this thing on the ground. Moll had another great time - she flushed a couple of ducks and wanted to chase them but quickly realized that was useless! She loves exploring in and about the cattails and grasses.
Hanging out in a small Russian Olive alongside the dike was a young raccoon, holding on for dear life. It never moved when I walked up to it to find out what it was.

These two were greeters as we entered the refuge.

I spooked this guy on top of Goose Egg Hill - he flew down to the pole and landed for a while.

Here's the real prize of the day - this young being sitting tight in the olive tree.  I walked up fairly close to him as I wasn't initially sure whether it was a porcupine or what, he didn't move. Small and young..

Curious juvenile Red-tailed.

Keeping a close eye on Molly and I as we approached..

Just a beautiful and peaceful spot.

Backyard Jays

As the weather cools down, the Scrub Jays have become more strident in demanding food. So I fed them and then captured a few expressions of theirs...

You can have fun making up your own comments..

Refuge Sunday

Really original title!!
Molly and I went to the refuge - sounds like a beginning to a children's book and maybe it is.
Anyway, Harriers were flying, GBH's were both hiding and posing, Kingfisher stopped by, and Red-tailed hawks said hello - or goodbye.  A warm day with minimal wind, only a few duck hunters in the distance, and great terrain for Molly to enjoy.
Enjoy!

Young redtail checking me out.

Sun on the fall refuge grasses.

Herons hiding from duck hunters.

Juvenile harriers playing around the seagulls.

Harriers can change their direction in nano-seconds.

GBH flew in and posed for us.

Backlit grasses

Seed pods cover the landscape

Kingfisher

Yes?

Refuge Friday

Today started out quite warm and clear but rapidly turned to dust and windy and a drop of 15 degrees anyway. But Molly and I are intrepid so off to the refuge we went.
As expected - with the wind about the only birds flying were seagulls. Hawks were trying but they couldn't keep a straight flight path or hover like they often do. I got a few of them as the wind held them up long enough for a photo.
We took a walk in a somewhat protected place and sure enough, Molly spooked a nice looking buck deer. He cooperated by running around the edge of the meadows so I had a few opportunities to capture a decent photo. What a treat. As his tail is not up, he was apparently not scared of Molly, just cautious.
A good day to be alive and in the wilds.

Seagulls make for good panning practice.

Seagulls do fish - they'll dive and come up with something occasionally.

Just when you think they aren't looking you see the red of their eyes!

Flotsam - the small white particles are seeds from the cattails.

Just a mellow shot.

Here's the big boy!

Classic Canadien geese flight

Cute little whatever!?

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk...

Desert Landscape

Beautiful. Comforting. Magical.

Backyard color

The fall sunlight is exceptional this year and the remaining flowers are touched beautifully by it.