Birds and Nature

Though difficult to photograph through all the branches plus a chain link fence, this Green Heron seemed to think it was invisible when I spotted it this morning. You have to admire these skulking birds that peak out from behind small branches they seem to believe cover them completely. SeEtta

I was delighted this morning to find that the Black-crowned Night-Heron was at Sell's Lake. It was active and did some feeding providing the view below (it caught some small food item but I can't tell what it is). Then it flew off down the Arkansas River giving me the opportunity for the good flight shot above. I checked back this evening and didn't see it so not sure if it will return. SeEtta

I did a little birding at Sell's Lake this afternoon, right before/during and after a nice rain shower. The Black-crowned Night-Heron appears to have moved on but I found this first-of-the-year Green Heron. Wish I could have got a really good photo of it but it had started raining plus I was shooting through the chain link fence that surrounds this private pond. There were also dozens of Yellow-rumped Warblers, most in bright new plumage working the trees around the pond. SeEtta

This very large common snapping turtle is also inhabiting Sell's Lake along with a number of both resident and migrating bird species. SeEtta

Boy, today was filled with lots of uncommon birds including this very uncommon Black-crowned Night-Heron. Along with a number of other birds including all three phoebes, a few Blue-winged Teal, some gorgeous Tree and Barn Swallows in their bright new plumage was this roosting Black-crowned Night-Heron. Unfortunately it was resting it's head to the opposite side from where I was located outside this fenced private pond so I couldn't get a photo with it's head showing. SeEtta

This is one of two Black Phoebes I found foraging at Sell's Lake today. There was also a Say's Phoebe and an Eastern Phoebe feeding there. At one point they were feeding near each other so that all three phoebes were within 25 feet of each other. I subsequently found 2 more Black Phoebes at the MacKenzie end of the Canon City Riverwalk. This is a species that has undergone a major population expansion in Fremont County since I found the first one in 1995. SeEtta

I was surprised to find this lone Wilson's Phalarope swimming in Sell's Lake. Phalaropes are usually found in flocks so I suspect this lone bird got lost from it's buddies in the snow storm and winds yesterday. So about an hour later I found 18 more Wilson's Phalaropes a 4-5 miles east of Sell's Lake, swimming in the Arkansas River. This species is seldom seen in Fremont County. SeEtta