Small big day

The Global Big Day just happened to occur on the day I had time to bird the day away so I hit all the nearby patches...it was a sunny awesome day! 

I finished up with 37 species and 313 individuals.  Didn't take a whole lot of photos but I'll share some of what I saw.  I thought I was up to date with my blog posting, this one is a little later than it should be cause I wanted to squeeze in the last post that was a bit long for sure.  My first stop was Fravert Reservoir...

I saw a lot of the same ducks that have been there all along, like Cinnamon Teal, Ring Neck Duck, Northern Shovelers, American Coot, Gadwall, A Wigeon, and more and this day a new edition the Blue Wing Teal.  And eBird said "not reported" so that was a surprise. There was a male and a female. 

Blue winged teal

  

cinnamon teal swimming away....

Ring neck Duck

Lots of Western Kingbirds now stand sentry in the trees looking for any insect to move

My next stop was the walking path in town called the Rifle Centennial Park.  I didn't walk much of it, I was curious to see this section because it's the beginning of the Trail.  

Right inside the city limits is the Rodeo Grounds, on this day they had a horse show going on probably roping, and barrel racing stuff...it was loud and noisy!  

Found a Song Sparrow and and this Evening Grosbeak not far off the trail....

The next stop was the Rest Area...checked the Osprey nest 

And the Goslings are growing and multiplying! 

....2 Bullock's Orioles this time I got a shot of one...

Had lots of Yellow Warblers and more Northern Flickers...

 the House Wren 

 next stop was Harvey Gap...

The water here is such a lovely shade of blue green.  These Kids were intent on having some fun.  

they pumped and pumped...Meanwhile I saw A. Wigeon on the water, more Western Grebe and one Common Loon still around.  That was when my camera died...I  forgot to charge my battery the day before.  

I headed over to Rifle Gap found about 16 species there  60 Canada Geese, 18 Western Grebe, and 15 Eared Grebe,  In the bushes some Pink Sided DE Junco, Barn, Violet -Green and Tree Swallows all over the place there, and more of the regular gang.    

My Big Day ended here...Took this one the next day...

Pretty House Finch 

PEACE

Every day is a new Adventure.

August in the Rockies

The new norm!  My camera won't allow tight zooms much anymore! So....

western wood peewee

At least there is an interesting background to this distant shot...and this was on the fence when I traveled through the valley, so they were close enough, shot through the windshield...

western kingbird and an a female Baltimore oriole birds of a feather don't always flock together...

black billed magpies if you wanna see the yellow billed magpie you gotta go to Southern CA, my sister said that would be the only "reason to go there"...lol she was kidding of course, but I think she was thinking of how hot it is there. 

certainly was not hot when we got up on a rainy morning...

I have enjoyed watching these juvenile ospreys.  

One day when I went one of them was exercising his wings...

and when I returned the next day he was gone...

I haven't been to check the nest since last week so I'm sure this one is in the air too by now...Did see another adult with this huge catch nearby...

this little pond is at the rest area I mentioned...

view to the east

and to the west...lots of habitat for insects too

a kingfisher flew over I snapped and this is the result....not a great look at one but he had his wings back in perfect formation...

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that was last week...Monday we went on a family picnic and a tube float in the Reservoir.  No Photos of that as I was in the water!  here is our site, what fun although we found a lot of mud at the put in area so next time we must find a mud-less put in, the swimming area is probably better but dogs not allowed in that section.  THE girls and Jimmy loved the swimming. Casey slept in the van while we played. 

Yesterday I drove up Castle Creek Road for a peek at what was there...found LOTS of awesome.

it's stunningly beautiful up there....I had planned to bird  at ACES, (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies) in downtown Aspen...omg Aspen has changed since the world found out how awesome it is...not my cup of tea any longer.  I recall us going to junk shops there in the 80's and finding street parking right outside the store NO MORE that was the good 'ole days.  So happy I found this awesome place of solace.  Once tourists find a place it is ruined forever, ie: Myrtle Beach. 

 since the Western Flycatcher was split I found  the Cordilleran Flycatcher.  It's counter part is the Pacific Slope Flycatcher. 

these violet green swallows enjoyed being on the ground 

finally got a decent look at the plumage on these birds, that's an immature bird on the right 

And here is the Rufous Crowned Sparrow.

the mammal of the day was this coyote, he had a lovely thick coat 

This is one extremely pretty spot...I was the only person up there that day...

today I went for a hike....next post the Grizzly Creek Trail, and more. 

PEACE

Eleanor Roosevelt: You must do the thing you think you can not.