Owls and more Owls

It seems that nature study comes to a person in batches.  In other words, what you think you want to study might not be what presents itself. Last week on my way to town there was a road kill Great Horned Owl.  He seemed in good shape so I called the museum where I volunteer [...]

Bird Language

It must be early spring, although the weather is continuing to feel like its June–in the 60′s and 70′s.  I’m no birder, although I am trying.  Plant people just can’t understand studying things that flit around, throw their voices, and are almost invisible to the naked eye.  I hear a song or see movement, bring [...]

The Chipping Sparrow

Several days ago I went to a little spot near my house and sat underneath a Douglas Fir.  It was a random choice, but in a few minutes I noticed a tiny nest on a low branch.  As I watched, mom and dad Chipping Sparrow were taking turns feeding three very tiny newborns.  I’ve been [...]

The Emergence of the New

Today was just one of those glorious days, the kind of day I’ve been missing and forgotten what it feels like.  A day that is the harbinger of spring. Warm in the sun, no wind, the body just responds and feels good, happy. I’ve spent the last few weeks, in a random way, making 4 [...]

Bald eagles, coyotes and a kill

An old cow elk broke her leg trying to get over the fence when a car drove bye.  Didn’t take long for the predators to bring her down.  Yesterday early morning I drove up the road and found 5 coyotes on a kill.  Usually coyotes can’t bring a large elk down, but they might have [...]

Squirrels, Bears, and birds: What’s the connection?

The Clark’s Nutcrackers have been very busy over the last month.  So have the squirrels.  They’re both competing for the Limber Pine seeds that grow around here.  The birds extract and stash seeds.  The squirrels create middens with stored seeds and cones.  The bears let these animals do their work, then rob the middens. It [...]

The babies and Medicine Lodge Park

Here are the baby bluebirds several days ago.  Now here they are today.  Boy do they grow fast. Last week I took a trip to Medicine Lodge State park near Hyattville.  A well-tended State Park, the spot is an oasis in the Big Horn Basin.  This site was excavated in the 70′s by George Frison.  [...]

Bluebirds and coyotes

Last year I made this blue bird box but no birds liked it.  Then I heard that it takes a year before they’ll use it.  And, voila, some birds came and are nesting. That was several weeks ago.  Just a few days ago, I heard some little ‘peeps’ and thought ‘They’ve hatched!’ I built the [...]

The Sandhill Crane

They’ve been back for a while.  They are the heralds of spring.   Their call is distinct, awesome.  They’re beautiful to watch fly or on the ground.  The Sandhill Crane.Here’s a short video I took the other day on the road to Yellowstone.

Elk, Eagles, and an equinox moon

I took a hike up Little Bald Ridge to see the Bighorn Sheep.  They’re usually there in the winter.  On the way I spied a herd of about 700 elk grazing on the hillside.  It was a gorgeous day after a light snow.  The trek up there can be hard if the snow is deep.  [...]