Fire, rain, cranes,

Day 2 started out sunny and warm - hard sleeping up here when it is warm. After my walk with Molly I headed down to the wetlands to see the Sandhill Cranes. And boy, did I see them. Probably 4 pairs and a couple of little ones and 4 or 5 singles. Gargling and flying around, they see you a long ways away which limits your options on trying to get a decent photo. But what the heck - we tried anyway!
The other thing I am finding on hot days in open areas that the heat messes with long distant shots - they are never crisp.  I've seen this before at the refuge on hot days and finally read about it on Moose Peterson's blog. Well, you work with what you have - and plan to get up earlier next time.
A lightning caused fire started over the mountain just about 12 miles from here - and the smoke was terribly beautiful. But a decent rain storm came through and things appear to have settled down.
Here's some shots from both last night's sunset and today..enjoy!

Spectacular sunsets are the norm here...

Our walking road...

Moth in the rocks..

The interior is awesome..

Red-tailed soaring...

Fireweed..

Female rufous

Molly hasn't see him yet..

Sandhills..

Fire..

Berries in their various colors - the tanagers eat the red ones.

Patterns - manmade and natural..