November 17, 2024

Environment:Start Time: 7:15 AM Temperature: 30 degrees Sky: Sunshine. There wasn’t much going on out on the trail this morning. I only saw the one female Belted Kingfisher pictured here on what seems to be a favorite perch along the Arkansas River. She even lets me get pretty close before leaving. Featured is what I think is a female House Finch who kindly hung around after all her companions flew off to another tree. She was happy munching on the seeds and did not find me at all intimidating. Sightings:Birds: Ducks, Wood Ducks, Canada Geese, Gulls, Starlings, American Kestrel, Belted…

November 14, 2024

Environment:Start Time: 3:10 PM Temperature: 64 degrees Sky: Sunshine with a chilly breeze. Frigid morning temperatures made me opt to walk in the late afternoon’s more comfortable warmth. Warmth that was mitigated by a pesky breeze. For some reason all my feathered friends were not out enjoying the weather as much as I was. It was really lonely out there. If it wasn’t for the female Belted Kingfisher pictured here and in the top featured image I would have come home empty handed. She did treat me to a nice dive, though she pulled up at the last minute and…

November 05, 2024

Environment:Start Time: 7:05 AM Temperature: 32 degrees Sky: Sunshine and clouds. Sightings:Birds: Mallards, Gadwalls, Buffleheads, Gulls, Canada Geese, Starlings, Osprey, Northern Flickers, Western Grebe, Blue Jays, Crows, American Kestrel, Cooper’s Hawk, Townsend’s Solitaire, White-crowned Sparrows, Belted Kingfisher Critters: Mule Deer, Tree Squirrel Gear: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Lumix 100-300mm; Olympus EE-1 Dot Sight; Canon Powershot G12

October 02, 2024

Environment:Start Time: 7:10 AM Temperature: 40 degrees Sky: Sunshine. Sightings:Birds: Mallards, Double Crested Cormorants, Canada Geese, Gulls, Ospreys, Starlings, Great Blue Herons, Northern Flickers, Killdeer, Belted Kingfishers, Blue Jays, Sparrow, Common Grackle, warblers, Red-tailed Hawk, Say’s PhoebeCritters: Mule Deer, Tree Squirrel, Grasshoppers, millions of flying bugs Gear: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Lumix 100-400mm; Olympus EE-1 Dot Sight

September 29, 2024

Environment:Start Time: 7:25 AM Temperature: 56 degrees Sky: Mostly sunshine. Yet another beautiful early morning in Rock Canyon with nearly perfect light and temperature. Once again most of the activity was happening in, along and above the Arkansas River. Featured is one of three Osprey I saw today. It was perched in a tree just off the river with a nice looking fish in hand but didn’t seem at all interested in eating it. Perhaps he was saving it for later. A female Belted Kingfisher was actively patrolling the river with not much luck. There was also a Great Blue…

September 28, 2024

Environment:Start Time: 7:20 AM Temperature: 57 degrees Sky: Mostly sunshine. My little canine visitor has gone home so I am back out on the trails with the big guns using both hands to shoot. Today’s outing was, in terms of bird variety, pretty lack-luster. There was only a single Osprey keeping an eye on the Arkansas River. But those were not the only eyes on the water. Featured is a female Belted Kingfisher who was also focused on getting something to eat from the free flowing river. Pictured here is a Great Blue Heron who was finished with the watching…

September 14, 2024

Environment:Start Time: 7:10 AM Temperature: 60 degrees Sky: Sunshine. Sightings:Birds: Mallards, Wood Ducks, Double Crested Cormorants, Gulls, Canada Geese, Ospreys, Starlings, Great Blue Herons, Northern Flickers, Killdeer, American Kestrel, Bushtit, Belted KingfishersCritters: Mule Deer, Prairie Dogs, Tarantula Gear: Nikon D5600, Nikkor 55-300mm

August 07, 2024

Environment:Start Time: 6:15 AM Temperature: 70 degrees Sky: Sunshine with some clouds. Sightings:Birds: Mallards, Double Crested Cormorants, Canada Geese, Doves, Gulls, Ospreys, Starlings, Great Horned Owls, Northern Flickers, Cooper’s Hawk, Belted Kingfishers, Spotted Sandpiper, Blue Jay, Red-tailed Hawk, Western and Eastern Kingbirds, American Robins, Red-winged blackbirdsCritters: Grasshoppers, Mule Deer, Cabbage White Butterflies, Prairie Dogs Gear: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Lumix 100-400mm; Olympus EE-1 Dot Sight

July 20, 2024

Environment:Start Time: 6:10 AM Temperature: 61 degrees Sky: Sun with few clouds. Sightings:Birds: Mallards, Canada Geese, Double Crested Cormorants, Mourning Doves, Kingbirds (E&W), Orchard Orioles, Ospreys, Common Grackles, Northern Flickers, Blue Grosbeak, American Robins, Starlings, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Blue Heron, Barn Swallows, Wren, Wild Turkeys, Great Horned Owls, Spotted SandpiperCritters: Mule Deer, butterflies, Grasshoppers, Rock Squirrel Gear: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Lumix 100-300mm