We have enjoyed some marvelous scenery this past week in Colorado, but today really stood out as stunning. The Sharp-tailed Grouse display on a lek framed by snow capped mountains, rolling hills, shimmering fields, sage brush and picturesque western wooden fences. It was an amazing experience to see these birds in setting. Arriving at very…

Today’s highlights covered a variety of habitats, species and miles in the western part of Colorado. Our first stop of the day was on the outskirts of Grand Junction at the Palisades Orchards (above), where we quickly found our target Gambel’s Quail, sitting up on a brush pile in clear view. Sunshine and blue skies…

It was a magical morning in Gunnison, Colorado, one where everything unfolded perfectly. We met our host at 4:30am and followed him to the Waunita Hot Springs lek. The sky glowed with the Milky Way, planet Jupiter and millions of twinkling stars. At 5am, about an hour and a half before sunrise, we were inside…

Following yesterdays long day we were able to sleep in and leave at 7am this morning. Beginning in Canon City, the Valco Ponds (above) produced a pair of Black Phoebes and Belted Kingfishers that skimmed the water surface for a drink. There was a trio of female ducks swimming together, Common Goldeneye, Hooded and Common…

In pre-dawn darkness, we arrived at the Elkhart East viewing area. The music of the shortgrass prairie was already playing, with the melodious burbling of Horned Larks, sweet notes of meadowlarks and the cackling, bubbling sounds of the Lesser Prairie-chickens. Though we couldn’t yet see them, we knew they were there, engaging in their spring…

Booming, stomping, strutting, stamping, clucking, screeching and jumping. These are just a few ways to describe the incredible displays of the Greater Prairie-chickens. After decades of population decline, this remarkable grassland species is now recovering sufficiently so that Colorado has “upgraded” their status from Endangered to Special Concern. Under direction from the Wray Chamber of…

Colorado weather has been kind to us; we began day two under bright sunny skies, temperatures in the 30’s and light wind and finished the day in the mid 60’s. Our first stop at Windsor Lake yielded few gulls, but great looks at Western and Clark’s Grebe, providing good comparisons. Other waterfowl included shoveler, Redhead, Ruddy…

The Rocky Mountain range loomed large and beautiful before us on this bright, sunny morning. Crisp snow-capped peaks beckoned us as we drove north out of Denver, heading for our first stop of the day, Lagerman Reservoir (below). We didn’t find the reported Sage Sparrow, but enjoyed great looks at American Avocets, Western Meadowlarks, Black-billed…

Kevin and I arrived today in Denver, Colorado to begin the great “Chicken Odyssey.” I believe this is my 11th trip here, and each one brings new thrills and excitement. An inch of snow was on the ground and the temperature hovered in the upper 30’s. By early afternoon it had warmed up a few…

Great news… for the first time ever, Bald Eagles have successfully nested and hatched two chicks at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, Philadelphia. Female Bald Eagle at nest with 2 young – April 3, 2010  © Bill Buchanan It has been several years now that Bald Eagles have been present at the refuge. Regular…

A belated Happy Easter!   I do not have a bunny for you,  but rather the most beautiful of all our waterfowl. Wood Ducks have been pairing up (above, male -left, female -right) along the Wissahickon River in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. In a section of river near the Valley Green Inn, presently the males outnumber the…

Exploring the Maasai Mara, we were fortunate to enjoy fantastic views of Africa’s most famous predators – Simba – the king of the beasts. These majestic cats rule their land with strength and patience. Twenty different prides roam the vast grasslands of the Mara, and we were lucky to find two of them. We saw…