City Park - Denver

Monday evening; on my calendar, the September meeting of the DFO at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. I had missed the August meeting while I was in New Orleans, so it was good to have a reason to head back down to Denver. As I try to manage when my schedule allows - I headed down early and walked with camera in City Park in the late afternoon. A Ring-billed Gull was enjoying the lakeside in the afternoon light.


Walking further I reached 'Duck Pond', where among a handful of species this Double-crested Cormorant was airing its wings with a few slow beats. Those blue eyes are great when they catch the light. Double click the photo if it doesn't show up in the blog formatting!


I continued my loop, cutting back over to City Park Pond, and spent some time with the Snowy Egrets that remained near the island that hosts their rookery. This one wasn't in the best light, but I really liked the patterns of the water in the background.


I unwittingly timed my walk to complete at the Museum steps just as the sun was sinking beyond Denver. Despite showing my need for a graduated neutral density filter, this picture managed to capture enough of the sky color while preserving the detail of the pond, pavilion, and capital dome. Below, an exposure set up to capture more of the color of the sky.


I am always pleased when nature and events come together to provide a memorable scene. Being at one of the iconic photographic views of Denver, on a mild evening in September, with colors abounding and people out enjoying the evening was just fantastic. Not having my short lens in hand, and not being ready with a filter are just reasons for me to keep trying for improvement!

Catching up last Weekend; As I Begin This One

Before I even start - I know that I now have Florida pictures that have aged almost a month, and CFO Convention pics that are at several weeks, but this is targetting low-hanging fruit in the backlog.

Last weekend didn't offer a significant amount of time for birding. An annual Memorial Day BBQ loomed large on Monday and was going to require some yard, house, and meat prep-time. So early Saturday morning was my window to get out while I could. I had a marginal plan to head up towards Georgetown, and perhaps Guanella Pass for some White-tailed Ptarmigan. After seeing that the road wasn't going to open until late morning, and that the Mount Evans road was open to Summit Lake I quickly changed to that option and headed up above treeline.


I was greeted by wind, and quite a bit of snow. Unfortunately the area surrounding the lake was still deeply buried, and the Ptarmigan were not present, but the American Pipits were.


In the brown grass nearly invisible, but better seen when posing against a snowy backdrop. Even so, nothing stands out above treeline quite like a Yellow-bellied Marmot. (Unless it is later in the year and you get to see larger, critters.)


Skipping ahead a bit, I next ventured out Wednesday at lunch. It was a muggy afternoon, and while the birds weren't exceptional, this Snowy Egret was enjoying the full creek. I really enjoy watching them climb slight inclines, the extended yellow feet are awkwardly entertaining.


The rest of my weekend, when not prepping for, bbqing, or cleaning up was spent contributing to the construction of this fine architectural marvel - a shed!


The marvel is that it is standing! Bah-dum-da! Actually, with the bulk of the planning and management being done by a carpenter/contractor friend the damage that myself and the homeowner could do by 'improvising' was limited. As renter, my contribution conscience is clear and a Saturday of destination birding has a plan forming in my brain.

Have a good weekend everyone, and a very Happy Birthday to my Dad!

At the Rookery - Part 2 - Snowy Egrets

In addition to the Black-crowneds there were Snowy Egrets, lots of Snowy Egrets. They are fairly common along the Front Range, but I usually see them in one-sy two-sies. My count on Monday reached 56, and that did not really account for all the motion between the trees, water, and ground for these birds.


Some were quietly doing a bit of material selection for nest improvements...


...while others would get downright territorial, chasing one another around the island as they displayed their wispy plumes. -Tough to take a bird seriously as a tough guy with that lacy look, but the most aggressive would occasionally run a Canada Goose off a few feet.


Seeing all those birds in their disheveled breeding getup was a big change. I am accustomed to the lone, sleek bird working a shoreline with purposeful steps - flashing those yellow feet as they proceed.


Here the picture of mass activity and interaction was altogether different, and entertaining. A great way to spend an hour in Denver on a springtime evening.

My Visit to Walden Ponds - Shorebirds and a Snowy

One of the highlights of yesterday's hike was a few minutes spent at a small pond just before sunset. It was the place to be if you were a shorebird. With my usual disclaimer, (I may be way off on shorebird IDs), enjoy and feel free to correct me where appropriate.

The Solitary Sandpiper, above, was one of a group of three - not feeling so solitary, apparently.


While the Wilson's Snipe was foraging all by itself.

Of course Killdeer were everywhere, and the Snowy Egret below was in the same pond, and just looking too good not to include here.

Good birding all!

Afternoon at the Arsenal

In addition to wondering about the possibilities and prevalence of leucism I saw a good variety of full color birds at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday.


The Common Yellowthroat popped into the top of a willow thicket as I walked by and posed while singing for me to take a few shots.

A young Red-tailed Hawk flew along the edge of a wood, and paused for a moment to check me out from the perch it had found. It then called once, took off towards and then over me, before flying on to a more distant grove of trees. I guess it wanted a closer look.

Another young bird, this one a juvenile Snowy Egret, moved from perch to perch as I returned along the lake shore. I used my photo processing software to take a bit of the edge off the mid-day sun. In its altered the photograph shows the key indicator for the age of the Snowy, its bi-colored legs. Eventually the legs will darken, leaving the yellow feet at the end of long black legs. The trademark of an adult Snowy Egret.

As I was leapfrogging the Snowy's perches I was accompanied by a pair of Belted Kingfishers. They were more secretive, preferring to remain on the far side of leafy trees, but their calls give them away. At one point the foliage broke, giving me this view.

Just as I reached the dam road I spotted this flight of Double-Crested Cormorants using some concrete as a communal perch. The two in the back were playing king of the hill with the lone remaining perch, very entertaining.

While scanning the lines I did pick up Bank Swallows as well, which was a new species for me. The back of one is visible in the picture at the top of the previous post.

2009 Count: 168

Lifetime: 178

A good thing, I was late to the library.

A Snowy Egret was feeding along the banks of a small pond next to the building!


I worked my way around the pond keeping the sun behind me. After a walker flighted the bird back to where I had started I headed back to my car. As I did I realized I could loop back again away from the pond, and then approach again with a piece of sculpture between us. I did and was able to get these couple of good pics as I did.

It was a great moment, but the best was yet to come.....

Broomfield Birding - Nissen Res and Alexx & Michael's Pond

Everywhere I turn there are Yellow-Rumped's, this guy was one of three who followed a Chickadee through some trees at eye level and let me get a much closer shot.



Before I saw him I had headed to Nissen Reservoir in Broomfield to see if an earlier reported Black and White Warbler was still in the trees. It wasn't, but I did add Snowy Egret to my list.


I also had my best look at a Black-Crowned Night Heron, and first sighting of the year. All told there were 5 Great Blues, two Snowys, and the Black Crowned. Not too shabby, for our humble city and county!

After checking Nissen I headed on to Alexx and Michael's Pond which I had driven by, but never walked around. Boy am I kicking myself now. I was walking down the trail before I even reached the pond itself when a Little Blue Heron flew overhead. It was a good thing I had just been watching the Great Blues fly or I may not have picked up on the smaller overall size and dark neck and head. I also got a shot of the first Pied-Billed Grebe I had seen in Broomfield.

Along the way I spotted my first Yellow-Headed Blackbird - it was my first of season since I started a list in October. I also had a chase session with an Orange-Crowned Warbler moving slowly along the brush on the bank, and just as I was returning to my car had a Coot with the best resolution I have gotten yet.

A good way to get home from work on Friday.

BTW, just as I start to think that I am getting somewhat respectable numbers on my list I see that there are group of people in Colorado who have 400 species (in-state I believe) and all 54 14ers under their belt. The list has come up with 6 people. Flat out impressive.

2009 Count: 123

Lifetime: 139