Birds and Nature

Birding yesterday at Antero Reservoir yielded a number of interesting birds including this Yellow-billed Loon that stayed for several minutes fishing relatively close to shore (compared with many loons that I have seen as distant dots in my spotting scope) as I watched with Colorado birder, John. Another arctic species, only juveniles like this wandered down to Colorado occasionally. Though the bottom pic is mostly duplicative, I posted it as it gives a better view of the size and shape of the loon's bill. SeEtta

This Snow Bunting was found at Antero reservoir at 8,000 feet by Colorado birders Lock and Glenn yesterday. I ran into another Colorado birder, Brandon, and we had been looking for the bird as Snow Buntings are quite rare in Colorado. As we stood talking with a fisherman who was inquiring about why so many people were looking for it, it walked between 2 boulders nearby then flew a short distance away. We followed to take photos and this was the most fearless little bird, allowing quite close approach. I took this pic with it less than 15 feet away. After we took pics and watched it for over 5 minutes, it continued foraging along the shoreline of a fishing pier undisturbed by our close approach. SeEtta

National Audubon Society published in the recent issue of Audubon Magazine the responses from McCain and Obama on their positions on conservation issues. In the introduction to comments was this intro: "Yet despite his leadership in global warming and his affection for Teddy Roosevelt, McCain’s record is a political Rubik’s Cube. The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) gives McCain just a 24 percent lifetime rating. He has rejected efforts to tighten environmental and energy regulations affecting issues ranging from clean air to fuel efficiency—anything, his critics contend, that stood in the way of industry profit." "Although McCain has consistently voted to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, he implied that position could change, telling Audubon he doesn’t support oil drilling there “at this time.” He also backs “multiple use” in America’s wilderness areas, a loaded term in many green circles. What happens if gas reaches $7 a gallon? His full-throated revers...

Today I found this White-throated Sparrow on the Canon City Riverwalk around noon. Though similar to related White-crowned Sparrows (both Zonotricia genus), White-throated Sparrows have distinctive yellow lores, clearly outlined throat and rufous coloration to their wings. Also, though White-crowned Sparrows are often found in flocks, White-throated are found singly in Colorado where they are quite uncommon and generally seen during migration. This sparrow stayed inside the vegetation during the several minutes I observed it so this was the best pic I could get. Double-click on the pic for a close-up. I also saw 2 warblers high in the cottonwoods near where I found the White-crowned and heard them give a few chip calls. I think they were likely Orange-crowned Warblers. They were moving quickly in a mixed group with Black-capped Chickadees, a White-breasted Nuthatch and 1-2 Hairy Woodpeckers--all foraging about 70 feet above the trail. SeEtta

Colorado voters can help birds, butterflies, fish and other wildlife by VOTING FOR AMENDMENT 58. SeEtta

This is one of a pair of White-breasted Nuthatches foraging near each other in the same tree on the Canon City Riverwalk. According to Birds of North America online, this species is socially monogamous, maintains their pair bonds year round, and "pairs remain together from the time they establish a territory until one of the partners disappears." These birds emitted soft calls, mostly the "hit and tuck" call that sounds like "ink." SeEtta

I saw this attractive caterpillar on the Canon City Riverwalk this morning, it's full name is Banded Woolly Bear . I have read that they are often seen in the fall after they emerge from the egg to overwinter in the caterpillar larva form. When winter is over, they pupate and emerge as Isabella tiger moths . Folk tales had it that the amount of black on these caterpillars predicted the severity of the coming winter--not true as this is related to it's age. The bottom pic shows the interesting pattern of their bristly hairs. The small tan spots are grains of sand from the trail as it rolled up in a defensive move when I moved it into the clearing for a better pic. SeEtta