A couple of weeks ago, I headed down to South Platte River, near C-470. Several people were fishing by the river, so most of the birds headed to other areas. Walking towards Eaglewatch Lake, several Cormorants were draped on the fallen tree that was partially submerged in the lake. Since I had approached from the east side, the Cormorants were backlit by the evening sun.
Three Cormorants Drying Off, Eaglewatch Lake.
I counted ten Cormorants perched on the tree branches. All were busy drying off and cooling down from the hot sun.
Three Cormorants, Perched.
Making my way around to the south end of the lake, I made this image of the single Cormorant facing the sun.
Cormorant, Catching The Sun.
Continuing to the west of the lake, the birds were now front-lit by the sun.
Three Cormorants, Again.
The fallen tree is submerged with two of the main trunk protruding above water in two places. Three birds were perched on one section of the trunk. The remaining birds were located on the second section of tree trunk. The long lens prevented me from capturing all birds in one image!
More Cormorants, Perched.
These Cormorants are probably on their southward migration as the leave from the cooler climate of Colorado.
Here are some assorted images of wildlife along the South Platte River, that I captured one evening in July. This Mule Deer was grazing among the scrub and bushes alongside the river.
Mule Deer, Along Scrub, South Platte.
The Western Kingbird is one of my favorite flycatchers. This Kingbird has some unusual flight patterns while attempting to catch bugs in flight.
Western Kingbird, South Platte River.
Finally, I found a Downy Woodpecker looking for bugs in the bark of a Cottonwood tree.
In late June, we headed to Chatfield State Park for a birding and raptor monitoring trip. While there, I found this Broad-Tailed Hummingbird close to the Platte River at Kingfisher Bridge.
Broad-Tailed Hummingbird, Chatfield, No 1.
This bird allowed me to get really close as he left his perch and returned several times.
Broad-Tailed Hummingbird, Chatfield, No 2.
The Broad-Tailed Hummingbird has a very distinctive throat that glows a bright metallic red if the sunlight reflects at just the right angle.
Broad-Tailed Hummingbird, Chatfield, No 3.
This bird then went through the motions of flapping his wings several times without leaving his perch.
Broad-Tailed Hummingbird, Chatfield, No 4.
This allowed me to capture several images… without have to find him again!
Broad-Tailed Hummingbird, Chatfield, No 5.
Here is the last image just before I left this location.
Here are some more images from early summer. At first Friday Art Walk, these images were captured close to sunset in the Santa Fe Art’s District. The setting sun lit up the windows of this building, casting a golden glow to the the glass.
Facing Windows.
These images were made in the same building where several walls were painted in bright colors. This building is a home to several art galleries as well as some residential apartments.
Green And Red.
Each wall was painted in a different color. When in the shadow, all walls still retained their saturated colors.
Red Wall.
In this final image, the falling sun lit up one of the bright red walls of the building.
Some more pictures from the Spring. While visiting Westerly Creek, we found a colony of Cliff Swallows nesting under one of the bridges. Cliff Swallows typically build their nests from mud. In this image three swallows were waiting by the openings to their nest. Periodically, there would be activity as the swallows left and returned to their nest. Were these mates flying in and out? Were they bringing nesting material or food for hatchlings?
Cliff Swallows Nesting, Westerly Creek.
We made our way around one of the ponds, where this female Red-Winged Blackbird was perched.
Female Red-Winged Blackbird, Westerly Creek.
Close by was a male bird that allowed me to get really close.
Male Red-Winged Blackbird, Perched, Westerly Creek.
Here he was calling out. Probably trying to attract a mate.
Male Red-Winged Blackbird, Calling Out, Westerly Creek.
Later during the afternoon, we met a group of kids along the trail and were sharing info on birds that we had seen. We pointed out this American Kestrel to the kids. It was hovering up above the creek, hunting for a meal. Kestrels typically catch small vermin (like a mouse or vole) and also grasshoppers and other bugs. No luck at this location. This Kestrel was working its way along the creek in search of prey.
American Kestrel Hovering Above Westerly Creek.
This is a continuation of catching up with images that I have been meaning to post. Work around the house and other projects held up posting!
In May, I made a trip to the South Platte River. The river was flowing strongly as a result of releasing run-off from the upstream reservoir at Chatfield. I found this Great Blue Heron on the far bank of the river.
Great Blue Heron, South Platte River.
Here the heron was fishing for the next meal.
Great Blue Heron Fishing, South Platte River.
Soon the heron caught a fish. This looked like a big one about 16 inches in length.
Great Blue Heron Catch, No 1.
I made several images of the heron as it was aligning the fish to swallow.
Great Blue Heron Catch, No 2.
It was amazing to watch the fish make its way down the heron gullet!
Great Blue Heron Catch, No 3.
Wow. What a huge fish!
Great Blue Heron Catch, No 4.
Half way down to the stomach.
Great Blue Heron Catch, No 5.
I never knew that this heron has such a huge capacity in its stomach. I have seen some videos where a Great Blue caught and swallowed a larger fish; it is much more interesting to see this in action.
Great Blue Heron, Satisfied.
That heron looks really satisfied. I wonder how long until the fish is digested and when the next meal will take place.
We had several Irises in bloom this last spring; they usually bloom at the end of May. Every year, I attempt to make some images of these fabulous plants. The “beard” of an Iris flower is always the most difficult to capture successfully. This year… success!
Purple Iris, With Beard.
Focus stacking is one tool that allows one to capture details of the beard. Patience is also required; the slightest breeze will upset focus at a macro scale.
Purple Iris Bud, No 1.
I made a couple of images of budding flower from this plant.
Purple Iris Bud, No 2.
Buds lower on the stalk of an Iris plant usually start to bud later than buds at the tip. I found this bud at a lower level.
Purple Iris Bud, No 3.
On another plant, I found this bud lower down the stalk.
Purple Iris Bud, No 4,
It has been a while since last posting images. More to come!
This year we have a profusion of wonderful little Grape Hyacinth plants! Here is a group of three plants from our garden.
Three Grape Hyacinths.
Bees were attracted to the purple flowers. I was fortunate to capture this bee feeding on one of the hyacinth flowers soon after starting to make photographs.
Grape Hyacinths, With Bee, No 1.
Some other bugs were also active in the hyacinth patch.
Grape Hyacinth, With Bug.
I made the following image where the hyacinth flower head was framed by its leaf.
Grape Hyacinth, Framed By Leaf.
This is some detail of the flower head of another hyacinth flower.
Grape Hyacinth, Flower Detail.
In the following image, I captured the hyacinth flower, peeking from behind a hyacinth leaf.
Grape Hyacinth, Behind Leaf.
The bees were really active that afternoon. Here is another image of a bee feeding on a grape hyacinth flower head.
