Birds and Nature

These are not the type of photos I would usually post but I am hoping to get some assistance in either confirming or disconfirming what I think is this bird's species. I found it on the Canon City Riverwalk earlier this week but didn't have time to upload my photos. Since this is a very rare species for this location, and I didn't get great looks at it, I had convinced myself that it was probably a common warbler that I just saw at funny angle and misidentified. With these pics I do think this is a Northern Parula, likely a female. I would appreciate feedback from those more familiar with this eastern warbler than I. SeEtta

I am very proud of the White-lined Sphinx Moth because it was sipping nectar on one of the native, and near native (often have to get those that native in nearby states due to lack of availability of local native plants in my area) plants I have been adding to my yard. This is an agastache The top pic enlarges very nicely and gives a great view of the sphinx moth's eye, proboscis and antennae--so double click on that pic (bottom pic shows back design nicely but is a little blurry when enlarged more). SeEtta

I found this adult male Williamson's Sapsucker in a deciduous tree near the Arkansas River at the end of Tunnel Drive in Canon City,CO. Although one to several Williamson Sapsuckers winter in Canon City most every year, it is unusual to have an adult male here and this is pretty early. This species breeds in the foothills southwest of this location mostly in ponderosa pine and conifers with nesting often in aspen trees. Double-click on the bottom pic to see it's cool pale yellow belly. SeEtta

This is a Corn Earworm Moth though it actually feeds on a variety of food and non-food plants (including cotton) and is considered an agricultural pest.  It is the larvae (caterpillar) stage that devours crops while the moth stage is a productive pollinator.  I think they are cool looking with their over-sized head and large round green eyes.  I have seen many of them on rabbitbrush, on which this one is pollinating.  SeEtta

The US Fish & Wildlife Service announced their decision this morning on petition to list the Gunnison Sage-Grouse under the Endangered Species Act.  " The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it has determined that the Gunnison sage-grouse, a bird species found only in southwestern Colorado and extreme southeastern Utah, warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), but that proposing the species for protection is precluded by the need to address other higher priority species. . . .   The Service will add the Gunnison sage-grouse to its list of candidate species and review its status annually. " For those of us concerned with the survival of this species, this is sad news as it was on the Candidate list until 2006 when a politics overrode science in the Dept of the Interior, and it continued to face many problems.  You can read their entire press release here.   SeEtta