Outings

• 
  March 31, 2025

  Environment:
  Start Time: 9:45 AM Temperature: 44 degrees Sky: Mostly sunshine.

  This post has a definite Spring flavor to it. The featured image is a Wild Plum blossom – one of the first. For even more flowers I’m closing out this post with some Cottonwood flowers that are attracting the attention of the Blue Jays and Red-winged Blackbirds. Pictured center post are two shots of mothers (I guess) tending to their nests. Both birds here are in nests that were in use last year as well. I think the Owl is the the same one as last year but who knows about the Starling.

  

  

  Sightings:
  Birds: Ducks, Double Crested Cormorants, Pied-billed Grebe, Canada Geese, Starlings, American Robins, Ospreys, Northern Flickers, American Kestrels, Doves, Turkey Vultures, Great Horned Owl, White-crowned Sparrows, Blue Jays, Red-winged Blackbirds, Cooper’s Hawks, Great Blue Heron
  Critters: Tree Squirrels, Mule Deer

  KINGSYARD HEAVY DUTY METAL MESH BIRD FEEDER

  Gear: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Lumix 100-400mm, Olympus EE-1 Dot Sight

  

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• 
  March 28, 2025

  Environment:
  Start Time: 7:35 AM Temperature: 46 degrees Sky: More clouds than sunshine.

  Things were all up in the air this morning as I strolled around the area. Featured is a pair of Mallard Ducks who were flying upriver with great enthusiasm. I’m not sure what was going on but they seemed to be intentionally getting in each other’s way. Pictured here is an American Kestrel who was definitely trying to get in the way of a Red-tailed hawk whom the Kestrel thought should not be loitering. I also caught an Osprey coming in with a pretty decent catch. I wish I had been there for the action.

  

  

  Sightings:
  Birds: Mallards, Double Crested Cormorants, Pied-billed Grebes, Wood Duck, Canada Geese, Starlings, American Robins, Ospreys, Northern Flickers, Western Meadowlarks, Red-breasted Mergansers, American Kestrels, Doves, Ravens, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, House Finch, Great Horned Owl, Sparrows
  Critters: Prairie Dogs, Tree Squirrels, Mule Deer

  KINGSYARD HEAVY DUTY METAL MESH BIRD FEEDER

  Gear: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Lumix 100-400mm, Olympus EE-1 Dot Sight

  

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• 
  March 27, 2025

  Environment:
  Start Time: 7:35 AM Temperature: 55 degrees Sky: Clouds and sunshine.

  Today’s outing was brief but successful. Featured is a female American Kestrel popping into her nest after a very close encounter with her mate. Here in the middle of this post are two birds that were both trying their luck on the Anticline Fishing Pond. I didn’t see the Cormorant bring anything up but the Osprey (see below) did manage to fly home with a rather nice fish held firmly in one talon. As you can see I captured the dive and then the victory but missed the entry into the pond. I was tracking him (?) in the dive but he seemed to be pulling up so I stopped. That’s when he dropped the claws and smashed into the water. I will try not to second guess these guys in future.

  

  

  Sightings:
  Birds: Gulls, Mallards, Double Crested Cormorants, Canada Geese, Starlings, American Robins, Ospreys, Northern Flickers, Western Meadowlark, Red-breasted Mergansers, American Kestrels, Pied-billed Grebes, Black-capped Chickadees, Doves, Raven, Wild Turkeys, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vultures
  Critters: Prairie Dogs, Tree Squirrels, Mule Deer

  KINGSYARD HEAVY DUTY METAL MESH BIRD FEEDER

  Gear: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Lumix 100-400mm, Olympus EE-1 Dot Sight

  

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• 
  March 26, 2025

  Environment:
  Start Time: 7:45 AM Temperature: 43 degrees Sky: Sunshine.

  

  Spring is definitely taking hold at Lake Pueblo State Park. I still haven’t seen an Osprey fishing but a couple were out this morning breaking off tree branches (twigs) to use as nest repair material. The American Kestrels were also working on things to put in the nest and were being pretty affectionate if you know what I mean. Mother Owl was still snoozing in her nest enjoying a few last days of peace. Even the Red-breasted Mergansers were doing some ritual displays designed, I think, to entice a hen into matrimony. Featured is a Green-winged Teal Drake just beginning to take flight – though he really didn’t go that far.

  

  Sightings:
  Birds: Gulls, Gadwalls, Mallards, Double Crested Cormorants, Canada Geese, Starlings, American Robins, Ospreys, Northern Flickers, Great Horned Owl, White-crowned Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbird, Woodpecker, Cooper’s Hawk, Western Meadowlarks, Red-breasted Mergansers, American Kestrels, Green-winged Teals, Wood Duck, Pied-billed Grebes, Black-capped Chickadees
  Critters: Prairie Dogs, Tree Squirrels

  KINGSYARD HEAVY DUTY METAL MESH BIRD FEEDER

  Gear: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Lumix 100-400mm, Olympus EE-1 Dot Sight

  

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• 
  March 24, 2025

  Environment:
  Start Time: 7:45 AM Temperature: 55 degrees Sky: Cloud filtered sunshine.

  

  Things were a little warmer this morning – especially for the two American Kestrels pictured here getting a jump on family planning. Today’s featured image (above) is a Cooper’s Hawk that has been hanging around the nest but I don’t think this is an adult. Due to its size and flying skill it is hard to believe that this bird is one of this year’s crop but who knows? There was more activity in the Red-tailed Hawk nest today, too. An adult hawk flew into the nest carrying something but, a short time later, left with the same cargo. I saw one Osprey flying around with a fish but otherwise they were all mostly hanging around.

  

  Sightings:
  Birds: Gulls, Gadwalls, Mallards, Double Crested Cormorants, Canada Geese, Starlings, American Robins, Ospreys, Northern Flickers, Great Horned Owl, White-crowned Sparrows, Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbird, Red-tailed Hawk, Dark-eyed Juncos, Hairy Woodpecker, Cooper’s Hawks, Western Meadowlark, Red-breasted Mergansers, American Kestrels, White-breasted Nuthatch, Blue Jays, American Coot
  Critters: Prairie Dogs, Tree Squirrels, Mule Deer

  KINGSYARD HEAVY DUTY METAL MESH BIRD FEEDER

  Gear: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Lumix 100-400mm, Olympus EE-1 Dot Sight

  

  

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