Wordless Wednesday

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Enhanced

I keep hoping for bears in my backyard, but there have been other great visitors to my little neck of plains meet foothills. We had a gorgeous buck in the field on the other side of our fence, but all I had with me was my phone.

We had a Cooper’s hawk on the fence just after sunset, so it was nearly dark, and I had to fully zoom my point and shoot. Both photos came out pretty grainy, so I ran them through Photoshop filters and then an AI program to better illustrate the moments. I’m pretty pleased with the results.

Last weekend I got to sit on the porch for about an hour. I don't get to do that often anymore. I used to watch the birds through my window while I worked from home until 2024. Then we had to take down the birdfeeder from April to November due to bears. Now that most of the garden is going to seed, the birds are feeding again. Watching them from the porch, without a double sheet of glass between us was thrilling.

I've been cutting down most of the wild sunflowers because I didn't want them to overgrow the garden. Now that I've been able to photograph the birds feasting on the wild sunflowers again, I'm thinking maybe I'll let the sunflowers go wild again next year. That will extend my flower season by a month or more, too!

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Wordless Wednesday

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Friday Fabulous

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Friday Fantastic

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd be able to watch a bald eagle lay an egg live as it happened! Modern technology sometimes is absolutely amazing!!!

"Jackie" has THREE eggs now (and we got to watch her lay the third one live as it happened!), first time ever, and she's been protecting them from heavy, wet snow all week!

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Friday Fascination

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Friday Funny

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Feathered Foe

We were treated to one of the most fun wildlife scenes we've ever encountered, together or apart, following a walk last week. We were heading home when we spied a Swainson's hawk being tormented by a magpie.

Naturally, we thought the initial hawk must have raided the magpie's nest. Boy, were we surprised when we discovered what we think were the mates of both birds nearby!!!

Another Swainson's had scored a groundhog, and a second magpie was doing everything it could to distract the victor in order to sneak a bite or two.

This traveler's baggage was just a bit too big for flight. The magpie successfully nipped at the raptor's tail a few times and may have gotten a taste or two of the meal, but ultimately, the hawk won.

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The Next Best Thing

I used to be so anxious for March so we could journey to Monte Vista for the annual sandhill crane festival. With Parkinson's making such a huge impact on our lives, we don't get to watch and listen to those amazing birds anymore. Well, not in person, anyway. Over the weekend I discovered a migration live cam. (Best in the early morning and very late afternoon.) I could listen to this for hours!!!

For three consecutive winters now, I've heard Barr Lake, quite a bit north of me, has been a temporary rest site for up to 26 bald eagles. And I have always wanted to visit Farmington Bay and Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in February. I guess I waited too long. I'm not sure we can make a trip like that now. Fortunately, I've been able to see a bald eagle or two in person every once in a while in my neck of the woods. When I can't get out even for a short photography hunting trip, I can enjoy the heck out of the St. Vrain live came, the Decorah eagle cam and the Big Bear eagle nest.

Very near our home, we've been able to see owls nesting this time of year in three different nests. This year, not a single one of those nests is occupied. I haven't been able to get out to hunt for new locations yet, so I'm loving every minute I get to spend with the Savannah mama.

Of course, I'm ready for any raptors, woodpeckers, bluejays, redwinged blackbirds, meadowlarks, orioles, tanagers, grosbeaks and hummingbirds, as well as any other photographic winged species, that visit my backyard. I've even been treated to a sandhill flyover!

It just seems the only wildlife I get to see in my backyard these days are the ones I wish would stay away from my birdfeeder!!!

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Back in Paradise

I hadn't had the opportunity to walk along the greenway since last July. I am SO glad I took the 50 minutes I had! I can't wait to go back and spend more time!

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Friday Fabulous

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Eagle Eye

I've been having so much fun watching this eagle family this spring.

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Wordless Wednesday

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