Environment:
Start Time: 8:05 AM Temperature: 60 degrees Sky: Sunshine high clouds with a light breeze
Local weather forecasters are saying that the next two days will be cloudy and wet so I made it a point to get out this morning. At first I thought the clouds that were out today were going to be a problem but that did not turn out to be the case. Plenty of birds about, flowers are starting to bloom and the bugs are making themselves known. One surprising thing today was the complete lack of Swallows – with all the bugs flying around I would think they would be having a major banquet. Speaking of bugs, today’s featured image is of a Mourning Cloak Butterfly – a new one for me. Posted also is a photo of a Bullock’s Oriole, an American Coot and a Blue Jay. For a floral offering there is a shot of some Whitetop Hoary Cress that is now blooming. I know, it sounds dirty.
Sightings:
Birds: Canada Geese, Osprey, Starlings, Robins, Cormorants, Blue Jays, Wood Ducks, Mallards, Great Horned Owl, American Coot, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Western Kingbird, Bullock’s Oriole, Chipping Sparrows, Flicker, Spotted Towhee, Brown Thrasher, Great Blue Heron, Mourning Doves
Critters: Prairie Dogs, Ornate Tree Lizard, Squirrels, Mourning Cloak Butterfly, Cabbage Butterfly
Gear: Nikon D5600, 55-300mm
Blue Jay at Lake Pueblo State Park, Colorado May 8, 2021 
Whitetop Hoary Cress at Lake Pueblo State Park, Colorado May 8, 2021 
American Coot at Lake Pueblo State Park, Colorado May 8, 2021