Colorado Weather - Ready for Anything

Saturday morning I headed out early. A DFO trip in the Longmont area was the plan for most of the day, but I stopped off in Boulder to see if I could add a reported Yellow-throated Warbler to my list. I didn't find it, but a Downy Woodpecker tried its best to make up for the missing birds.


45 minutes later, and a dramatic change. The weather actually complimented the birds, Yellow-headed Blackbirds shone in the snowy cattails.


Without strong winds our group was finding birds at every turn. Ruddy Ducks remained distant, but are always a hit.


This season seems to be the one for White-faced Ibis. Our group saw many during the day, and with the groups I had already seen this season I can't believe I haven't noticed them more in the past. I'll welcome all the looks I can get.


At one point I had to backtrack for my scope, and found this Pied-bill Grebe just offshore.


The snow only lasted for our first stop at Jim Hamm Nature Area, but we enjoyed it while it lasted.

A full day with lots of lists completed brought my year list up to 109, and there are a few more pictures to share in future posts.

Downy Daybreak

When the alarm went off at a quarter of six this morning the weather report said 18 positive degrees were the temp, and that the roads were slick causing traffic delays. That was all it took, I was up in a with a bound and close to the office before seven. I decided to spend the hour before work walking some of the wooded areas along the creek at Coal Creek Golf Course.


I had a good walk of over a mile, with a Red-tail flying between perches ahead of me, and a handful of species that became vocal as the day began. As is sometimes the case though, my most memorable part of the morning came just as I was returning to the parking lot. This Downy Woodpecker was very busy in some of the plantings around the clubhouse. In a well timed meeting of light and subject I had the chance to shoot lots of frames of this bird from very close range.

The proximity allowed some different views of the bird....


I'm not sure what struck me most on this view; the eyelids dropping over the eyes after each blow, the scraps of debris in mid flight, the claws just wrapped around the branch for leverage, or the feathers around the bill that seem to be shaped like a snowplow blade?


I am sure that getting this shot with the Downy's tongue in view was a fun capture.


Just another day where a common bird makes for an uncommon start to the day. I was glad to have been there to appreciate the sight, even more so since the clear skies of the early morning have been replaced by clouds and passing snow showers.


Red-tail Hawk, off to the next perch.

Roxborough State Park

Our bizarre mild December continues here in Colorado, making it tough to process that the holidays are nearly upon us. I fear that Colorado is not going to give me a preparatory cold snap before I head to Minnesota at the end of the month.


On the bright side though, walking around in a t-shirt and light jacket last Wednesday wasn't bad at all. I spent a few hours in almost perfect solitude on the South Rim Trail at Roxborough State Park. It was one of those days where the air wasn't stirring a bit, and the silence was palpable. I would hear animals and birds moving on the ground or through the branches from dozens of yards away. The Western Scrub Jays (top) and Spotted Towhees (not pictured), were generally stationary and I would pass groups or individuals as I walked. Chickadees, both Black-capped (above) and Mountain (below), were moving about - with mixed flocks moving past at times. They would all gather around to get a look as they flew from branch to branch, responding to my very quiet pishing. Twice, they were joined by Downy Woodpeckers (two below) - who seemed to associate more with the Mountain Chickadees than the Black-capped ones.


Roxborough didn't produce those great Gray Foxes, as it did during my last visit. Even so it continues to grow on me. Wednesday was great for reflection, while getting in a bit of exercise. For a few weeks now I've been chewing on the question of how far my birding skills have progressed. Along those lines I had a great opportunity to wrap my mind around ways to improve one's birding skills. I had some thoughts...but am curious about what others think. If there was a single tip you could give to a beginning or novice birder, what would it be. Feel free to comment or email, I would like to see if my thoughts are in-line with those of others.


I haven't had the lens or lighting to show off the rock formations of the park on my visits to date. To set the scene think of a more intimate Red Rocks or Garden of the Gods if you are familiar with those types of rock formations. The view that I had from the crest of the South Rim ridge moving counter-clockwise around the loop was just great; it offers views north towards Long's Peak.


Hopefully I will get back on a day with better light to show off the impressive geology. A young Red-tailed Hawk was trying to make up for the overcast sky, and doing an admirable job.

Not a remarkable birding day, but a memorable one nonetheless. Nature offered an intimate look at some of its more subtle sights, and I am glad I was there to accept.

Still a couple more posts in the works from last weekend, and will be getting in some type of outdoor activity this weekend as well.

Sights from Sunday Morning

While looking for loons at Chatfield State Park.


I found no loons, but this Townsend's Solitare was posing nicely.


As was this Downy Woodpecker.


A Black-capped Chickadee just looked cold, although those little birds move so much I don't think the cold would ever get a chance to catch them.


This juvenile Bald Eagle was just curious enough to let me approach along the shore. I think the hundreds of Coots just below him were happy to have me there.

Up - Where the Air is Clear

Usually getting a view like this requires a wake-up sometime around 4, and hours of hiking to get to a place where you are at eye level with 13,000 ft. Fortunately for those of us in Colorado, and with good snow tires, Loveland Pass and Arapahoe Basin ski area offer glimpses to drivers, skiers and riders alike for nothing more than a car or chair ride.

These shots were taken from the top of the Lenawee Chair at Arapahoe Basin, looking back along the continental divide towards Loveland Pass. From the shots it is apparent that it was a clear day, but what is not apparent is just how nice it was 7000+ feet up from home. There was virtually no breeze, and the sun made it mild, even for June at that elevation. I have stood on that ridge hundreds of times over the past ten years or so, but I would be hard pressed to remember a nicer day up top.

Soft, (but not slushy snow), and sunshine aside - "The Legend" did not offer legendary birding. I heard plenty of Chickadees, (Mountain variety), and glimpsed a few darting between cars in the parking lot, but had nothing other than those, some Ravens, and a probable Gray Jay while on the mountain.

As that was the case it was good that I started my day just before sunrise and got a couple of species near the condo where I stayed. My first bird of the day was a Steller's Jay.

They are gorgeous, and for photography's sake are much more closely seen around picnic areas.

While on my early morning walk I also added Juncos, Chickadees (both types), and both Crows and Ravens. Finally on my way back to hit the slopes I saw this Downy Woodpecker. She had me checking closely with her plain black back. Yet another variation in those diverse Downys.

Downy Woodpecker Diversity

Yesterday at lunch I stopped by for a quick visit along the creek that runs adjacent to the Coal Creek Golf Course. With weather as mild as we have had the past few days visits there will soon be limited to those that I pay, and carry a bag of clubs along for. But yesterday for a few minutes I enjoyed the mild weather and the common birds of the area. As I watched my attention was drawn to first one, and then another female Downy Woodpecker as they worked through the same cottonwood tree. The one above shows what I see as the typical female Downy pattern. But this one stood out as being much lighter than normal.

As much as they would cooperate I tried to get comparison shots of the two. The lighter one shows an uppercase "T" pattern on the back of her head.

While the one with the more traditional pattern shows the full cross or lowercase "t".

Looking at the two birds on the monitor I was impressed by how a relatively small area of color difference gave the two birds dramatically different 'feel' when watching them in the trees. The lighter of the two gave off a much whiter impression than I would have expected for just having a more narrow and shorter crown stripe. Much like the M. C. Escher works and the and some of the optical illusion artwork out there show - I guess our perceptions are really conditioned to triggers.

Having established what the difference was I did a bit of digging to see if this was common or an indicator of age, etc. I found this site: Variation in the head patterns of Downy (Picoides pubescens) and Hairy (P. villosus) woodpeckers. As far as I can gather the article was written by Kevin McGowan, and photography was credited to Kevin and Jay McGowan. It seems to indicate that the variations are normal, and a good means of identifying individuals. All I could get out of The Birds of North America Online, was:

"Female. Same as male except nape entirely black or black with white streaking or white nuchal-patch continuous with supercilium."

So I am left to wonder how often these lighter naped females occur, or if it is something that can be noticed more readily after one knows to look for it. I do know that I will be keeping a closer eye out for those Downys, and the next time I am back near Coal Creek I will be looking for the White-naped Lady.
Finally a House Finch for a bit of color. He and a group of his friends and rivals were all in a clump of bushes a bit further up stream. It is a favorite spot for them, I had a very similar shot last year. The location works as well, as there is good light coming from behind, and of course the red in the branches really seems to help blend with the red in their faces.

On a fun side note I had a Peregrine Falcon sighting on my way into work this morning. I had an errand before work and was approaching from a different direction. Still no postable pictures, but I will be back for hopefully more looks in the days to come.

Waiting for the Weather Change

I headed out at lunch today to see if I could get any pics before the weather really turns this evening. We are supposed to have a cold front blow through bringing rain and snow, who knows it may even drop off some migrants.


Unfortunately, there wasn't much moving along the wooded section of Coal Creek I visited. A Dark-eyed Junco was among the bare branches, confirming that winter is another day closer.

The only other bird I photographed was this lovely Downy Woodpecker. I glimpsed her twice moving through the trees before I got these long range shots.

I'll have to see if she gets any company as the weather turns unpleasant. As I was heading back to work the "Greeley Wind" had arrived, a typical inversion situation along the northern Front Range where certain trapped smells quickly take on the aroma of the noticeable feedlots around Greeley, Colorado. Fair or unfair, I have been hearing the name for the 15 years I have lived in Colorado, and it is an almost certain indicator of snow, which I welcome. So bring on the snow, and the migrant fallout!

Fast, Fun Getaway

I enjoyed another fun and relaxing weekend camping in the Pike National forest Friday and Saturday nights. Warm enough to enjoy the days, but getting cooler at night - ensuring deep sleep and crisp frosty mornings. The birding was better than I have had on recent camping trips. I didn't add any life birds, but did add one to my Colorado list, and saw a bunch of new species for that area. Vesper Sparrows, like the one above are common around my home, but this one seen just after sunrise really showed off the rufous shoulder patches.

At one point, after a bit of four wheeling, I had my friends drop me off a few miles from camp. That let me cross a boggy creek and cross a ridge on my way back, getting some diverse habitat types into my trip. The willows along the creek, which produced a Moose for fellow campers on a trip in June, were productive for me as well. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet, above, was the first I had seen in Colorado, and the first that I had seen while "out birding" rather than looking through my sister's back window.

Shortly after seeing the Kinglet I was treated to a fairly close Wilson's Warbler. Of course the ten or so shots I had of it perched left its eye squarely behind the branch - oh well. Their color is such fun to see along a willow choked mountain stream.

The Western Wood Pewees were ever vigilant just beyond "our" campsite nestled in an aspen grove.

One of the secret advantages of birding is the motivation it gives for getting up early when camping. For most of my adult life camping has included campfires that are kept burning until deep into the morning, and far more s'mores and belly warming beverages than were absolutely necessary. I'm not against those activities for any reason, and sometimes sitting on a stump staring at the dying embers of a good fire can be just as vital as any daylight exploration. That being said, it is good to have a reason to turn in when the first yawns hit, and even better to have a reason - and plan - for abandoning that warm sleeping bag to brave the frost as the predawn glow begins. The Downy Woodpecker above was a reward for getting up early on Sunday. I watched and enjoyed as he woke and performed his morning preen, getting ready for the busy day ahead.

The early day light and shadow even gave this Chipping Sparrow a distinctive look. I was glad to have the trip, the calendar is getting full for fall, and the next trip may feature heavy coats and multiple mid-layers.

2009 Count: 175

Lifetime: 183

They're baaaack!

Swainson's Hawks!

I took my lunchtime walk today further along the Coal Creek trail. I saw a bit of variety, but mostly common species as I walked along. Not having seen anything too spectacular, and having spent most of my time well away from the creek following the trail, I decided to sit for fiver in a copse where the trail rejoined the creekbed.
As it got close to turn around time I decided to just go under the next bridge and have a peek at the trees beyond to make sure I wasn't missing an obvious owl or something in the trees. I was glad I did because the two Swainson's above were visible just as I emerged beyond the underpass.
It isn't a perfect shot, but considering I have recently traded manual for autofocusing while trying to track airborne birds I think I got fairly close to locked on.




When I was on my sit I heard and then saw this Downy Woodpecker working on a new nest hole, or at least doing some major renovations.

This does seem to be the week of the Kestrel. I go for long stretches not seeing any, and then get a run of them. They are welcome anytime they want to make themselves visible.

Finally under the bridge I startled out this lightly colored Rock Pigeon. It paused for just a moment before making a noisy exit.

One more Swainson's shot to round out the post.

I didn't add any new species, but if I could bottle the feeling of seeing a near talon grab - and then seeing it well captured later in the day I wouldn't worry about another ID again. Okay maybe I would, but it was still pretty good.