Environment:
Start Time: 7:55 AM Temperature: 61 degrees Sky: Bright sunshine with welcome breeze.
Really warm out today. The breeze that was there is one I would have complained about a week ago – not today. Spring continues to rear its head in Rock Canyon. The trees are leafing out big time making bird spotting much tougher. I finally spotted one of the nesting Cooper’s Hawks today and s/he rewarded me with a nice long pose. Below is a shot of a Field Crescent butterfly who was showing its colors in a pile of dead leaves by the fishing pond. Today’s featured image is more evidence of Spring – blooming Wild Rose. I have settled on the name Wild Rose because when I try to get a better answer on Google there are just too many potential identifications.
Field Crescent in last year’s leaves at Lake Pueblo State Park, Colorado May 17, 2022
Sightings:
Birds: Wood Ducks, Mallards, Canada Geese, Osprey, American Robins, European Starlings, Double-crested Cormorants, Cooper’s Hawk, Western Kingbirds, Mourning Doves, Swallows, Barn Swallows, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Blue Heron, American Kestrel, Blue Jays, Turkey Vultures
Critters: Mule Deer, Tree Squirrels, Field Crescent Butterfly
Gear: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Panasonic Lumix 100-300mm
Mule Deer mom grooms a youngster at Lake Pueblo State Park, Colorado May 17, 2022 
American Kestrel at its nest in Lake Pueblo State Park, Colorado May 17, 2022