Environment:
Start Time: 3:20 PM Temperature: 46 degrees Sky: Sunny with wavering breeze.
Bald Eagles are Back!
Really great walk today! Early on I spotted the American Bald Eagle pictured here (and today’s featured image) perching over the trail that runs next to the Arkansas River. Even though it wasn’t perched in the best spot (for me) I did get a couple of nice frames. Plus I got a New Bird – the Northern Shrike posted in the mini-gallery below. This guy got two frames because he happened to cough up a pellet while I was focusing in on him. The river is getting some more Winter visitors – I saw several American Coots and even a Red-breasted Merganser. This pretty much accounts for everyone except for the fact that I haven’t seen any Teals as of yet. Should be soon.
A Red-breasted Merganser and an American Coot share the Arkansas River at Lake Pueblo State Park, Colorado December 29, 2022
Sightings:
Birds: Mallards, Gadwalls, Common Goldeneye, Buffleheads, Gulls, American Coots, Red-breasted Merganser, Northern Flicker, Northern Shrike, Dark-eyed Juncos, American Robins, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Blue Heron, American Bald Eagle, Cooper’s Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, European Starling, Pied-billed Grebe
Critters: None
Gear: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Lumix 100-300mm
Northern Shrike working an open area at Lake Pueblo State Park, Colorado December 29, 2022 
A Northern Shrike coughing up a pellet at Lake Pueblo State Park, Colorado December 29, 2022