tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27025158293619119872024-02-07T17:47:33.795-07:00Josh Covill's Birding BlogThe news and sightings from Flathead County, Montana, and beyond.JoshChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062475856301025745noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-24293439281977748652017-01-13T17:10:00.003-07:002017-01-13T17:10:36.034-07:00New Years Birding - 2017!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>New Years Day! It's a magical day where the birding clock resets, and old becomes new! Every bird is new again. Excitedly, we rush around noting the chickadees, woodpeckers, waterfowl and sparrows as they are the first, the first of the year!</b></div>
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This year, the Kalispell Christmas Bird Count fell on the 1st of the year! I meet with Denny Olson and Gail Bissel and we conducted the count in our section of the count circle. Our area is generally a good one, including a spring creek with waterfowl, a section of town with feeders and fruiting trees, and some natural river bottoms for many other species!</div>
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This winter was been colder and snowier than the last several. With that, the <b>American Robins </b>have infiltrated the town and are abundant anywhere there are berries to be eaten! We arrived at the Treasure Lane access point to the Owen Sowerwine Natural Area (an IBA) in Kalispell. Here, we stumbled upon dozens of robins! As we got out of the car, I counted the robins and neared 40 birds! </div>
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Looking over the robins, a small brown blob in the foreground caught my attention. just 10 yards in front of me was a perched <b>Northern Saw-whet Owl</b>!!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Saw-whet Owl</td></tr>
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We gawked over this bird for a minute or two before it flew deeper into the thickets. What a great bird to add to the Christmas Bird Count! Turns out, this was only the second time this species has been seen on the count.</div>
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We continued to bird our section, finding some good birds like <b>White-breasted Nuthatch</b>, <b>Merlin</b>, <b>Pileated Woodpecker</b>, and <b>Townsend's Solitare</b>.</div>
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The intersection of 6th and 6th East in Kalispell is a good spot for finding birds, as the many Mountain Ash trees attract berry-eaters. We had over 40 <b>American Robins</b> there as well as several <b>Cedar Waxwings</b>! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Robin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDB8whxre_DGUgrJv1w6CSjUIbZlQdw-vHo3Co0NUu2m5iXHGCdkE7ddkLo44o9it6fuBGEI8VAEr8DMW9G32JgPui8b3rCrr4hi3JX8rH7g9tHmltw5W5FWh4YiJW3p9t0LO7Do9oVPR/s1600/aaIMG_9988+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDB8whxre_DGUgrJv1w6CSjUIbZlQdw-vHo3Co0NUu2m5iXHGCdkE7ddkLo44o9it6fuBGEI8VAEr8DMW9G32JgPui8b3rCrr4hi3JX8rH7g9tHmltw5W5FWh4YiJW3p9t0LO7Do9oVPR/s640/aaIMG_9988+edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Robin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Waxwing</td></tr>
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I ended the Christmas Bird Count with 37 species, and just enough daylight for a quick run to see my resident Harris's Sparrow in the west valley.<br /><b>American Tree Sparrow</b> - #38<br /><b>Harris's Sparrow </b>- #39</div>
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Now I just needed one more bird to have an even 40 species for the 1st of the year. Just then, a <b>Rough-legged Hawk</b> flew over me as I was departing the sparrow spot! #40!</div>
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The Harris's didn't offer a chance for photos, but I did get an American Tree Sparrow and one of the many Song Sparrows there, this one with some white feathers on its forehead! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>American Tree Sparrow</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyBszdL-Jv_WHNJrr7hnlMX3Xtx8xPdJoKZiXM1JG4gXExVdNuR4kmjni7P_mpAXb2dcO2RXPmsA8suHF7vc1t1MhvaPeaKk5g-CAZc0_6FlerRjCwi7jXXEzn_u0e6b-K9qDZodRReDK/s1600/aaIMG_0030+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyBszdL-Jv_WHNJrr7hnlMX3Xtx8xPdJoKZiXM1JG4gXExVdNuR4kmjni7P_mpAXb2dcO2RXPmsA8suHF7vc1t1MhvaPeaKk5g-CAZc0_6FlerRjCwi7jXXEzn_u0e6b-K9qDZodRReDK/s640/aaIMG_0030+edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'whitehead' the <b>Song Sparrow</b>!</td></tr>
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A good day of birding, and a great start to the New Year!</div>
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Joshua Covillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14322391458058098504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-10358794612851934822016-12-22T15:42:00.000-07:002016-12-22T15:42:19.292-07:00Harris's Sparrow on the Winter Solstice<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Just a quick blog update</i></div>
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On the winter solstice, I left work a little early to bird my way home through the 'west valley' in the remaining daylight. It was clear and beautiful out, and I felt I needed to go birding to honor the shortest day of the year.<br /></div>
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Well, it didn't take long at all! I pulled up to the hedgerow where I usually start birding the west valley, and I got out and within seconds, spotted a <b>Harris's Sparrow</b>! It's a first-year bird - hatched this summer somewhere in the Canadian arctic, and now found itself in western Montana on its way south. It was tucked in the bushes with 8 <b>Song Sparrows</b> and 10 or more <b>American Tree Sparrows</b>! The farmer seems to be dumping old or rotted grain in the bushes, and it's attracted a lot of birds!</div>
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I tried for some photos of the Harris's, but didn't get the stellar shots I was hoping for. The Song Sparrows were more obliging. I plan on going back soon, and maybe the Harris's will stick around for the new year! We'll see!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harris's Sparrow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harris's Sparrow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDN-a_hNkMuybZjCFiHa9jXsHD2YApVU_qpJ5oesM4X5AAWrDHvwidCsYPAOJzxY_oUNrg2XgpbWg8_nHCQJgXl36TEzsjVeJr0kYZYcj4K9KciupZ854J9-Hqst7h3-z1XR1ALxN2CBFl/s1600/aaIMG_9282+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDN-a_hNkMuybZjCFiHa9jXsHD2YApVU_qpJ5oesM4X5AAWrDHvwidCsYPAOJzxY_oUNrg2XgpbWg8_nHCQJgXl36TEzsjVeJr0kYZYcj4K9KciupZ854J9-Hqst7h3-z1XR1ALxN2CBFl/s640/aaIMG_9282+edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Song Sparrow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Song Sparrow</td></tr>
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Joshua Covillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14322391458058098504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-58123472893120593762016-11-28T15:30:00.000-07:002016-11-28T15:30:10.313-07:00Flathead County Gulls on Sunday Taking advantage of the nice(ish?) weather on Sunday the 27th, and a free morning, I went up to the landfill to indulge in the challenge that is gull identification!<div>
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Many birds were present, almost a thousand, most being <b>Ring-billed Gulls</b>, as usual. I estimated 150 <b>Herring Gulls</b>, 45 <b>California Gulls</b> and found 1 <b>Mew Gull</b> and 1 <b>Thayer's Gull</b>. I managed to do quite well in the relm of photographing the gulls, and got some pretty good shots! I looked and looked, for about an hour, but I did not turn up any "white-winged" or "dark-backed" gulls. I have been working hard on learning 1st and 2nd-cycle Slaty-backed and Lesser black-backed Gulls in hopes that I can use that to positively ID one! It seems most of those species go unnoticed unless they are full adults.<br /><br />Here are my best photos from Sunday! Enjoy!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adult Ring-billed Gull</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adult Herring Gull (Ring-billed in foreground)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adult California Gull</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdgC1_6dwEJyn4rnQpVNI0JkNXR4FUeJcaZdTT4CjqzZQmoHDkzGvY-uITRlcyelBSv53HZ2IFl3cOGSohUy1BXa6rwxW7GsL03KSn4_kYjRtfnQWSKOWU_SZbB8OYAbS80qfmRHgZnBT/s1600/aaIMG_6861edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdgC1_6dwEJyn4rnQpVNI0JkNXR4FUeJcaZdTT4CjqzZQmoHDkzGvY-uITRlcyelBSv53HZ2IFl3cOGSohUy1BXa6rwxW7GsL03KSn4_kYjRtfnQWSKOWU_SZbB8OYAbS80qfmRHgZnBT/s640/aaIMG_6861edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adult Mew Gull</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCBEixo8jmENxt5dfFZy09exA-TVMUJEvO1C6zh-q55BviHCVok2fpxCjESsXJ1EqvvKL5F_2sKwHy_jAuNW-Lkby58IR7DJ4B0seEbWt11vfGidBMBXuNbBtD4RGYjy81pI8v4l83ylI/s1600/aaIMG_6841edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCBEixo8jmENxt5dfFZy09exA-TVMUJEvO1C6zh-q55BviHCVok2fpxCjESsXJ1EqvvKL5F_2sKwHy_jAuNW-Lkby58IR7DJ4B0seEbWt11vfGidBMBXuNbBtD4RGYjy81pI8v4l83ylI/s640/aaIMG_6841edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st-cycle Herring Gull</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7U9Erir3MCAsp6q9pn8nQays2Vv8G4Ksc8z5YvyzkeeHDi0w9pulkYZN9EPKUFQd0AmVn4Y1g2gcF5nChtXHJnKVMlVPrV30GvQ5cvgWiAyfmCFS4IgZEgbczbfZ0xbMgsnSdOcz1xQgw/s1600/aaIMG_6884edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7U9Erir3MCAsp6q9pn8nQays2Vv8G4Ksc8z5YvyzkeeHDi0w9pulkYZN9EPKUFQd0AmVn4Y1g2gcF5nChtXHJnKVMlVPrV30GvQ5cvgWiAyfmCFS4IgZEgbczbfZ0xbMgsnSdOcz1xQgw/s640/aaIMG_6884edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st-cycle Herring Gull</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-s0zwi3HAsNPikEKhyxxphwbTapRoQyMczaIOEu0hntrS20tm31VGtRkcOkmSb6fkBe8zckqeJEropAcNfNXBspmLdgE3HeB-4ptz-ay28JfB6BwawrFpZOcGFUz_JwxlgmJStpTS14U/s1600/aaIMG_6744edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-s0zwi3HAsNPikEKhyxxphwbTapRoQyMczaIOEu0hntrS20tm31VGtRkcOkmSb6fkBe8zckqeJEropAcNfNXBspmLdgE3HeB-4ptz-ay28JfB6BwawrFpZOcGFUz_JwxlgmJStpTS14U/s640/aaIMG_6744edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd-cycle California Gull</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
It was a good day at the dump, and I got to exercise my gull-ID. I plan on going back many times this winter, and hopefully will find something quite odd! In the meantime, I will continue to learn new aspects of gull ID! It's a lot to learn!</div>
Joshua Covillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14322391458058098504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-13124580232641227502016-11-25T15:39:00.005-07:002016-11-25T15:42:56.776-07:00Black Scoter and more! Monday night (the 21st) a local birder and friend messaged me a photo of a duck. She knew what it was, but wanted confirmation. It was, indeed, a female-type <b>Black Scoter</b>! (female-type refers to the plumage of the bird. Females and young of both sexes looks similar and from less-than-great photos, it's hard to tell them apart)<br />
I congratulated her on the find and set plans to chase it the next morning! Luckily, she found it on Flathead Lake, at Boettcher Park in Polson. Just a easy 55 mile drive away! I have only seen one Black Scoter before (a female-type also) on the Creston pond in 2014 so this was pretty exciting!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzj_jYU8JYIooFKXhasTXvUYsdQal5GFOuczr3RpVXWaUPsdJ69bn4n2hft277PmWNAb6PCynAypqSzNOSdN0wGu8uwTMHLsIQQcPjn0vdQmxuNpnELjHf6mLCbujFni4UfeT-WdunQi7/s1600/aaIMG_6677-Pano+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Boettcher Park, polson, flathead lake, boetcher park" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzj_jYU8JYIooFKXhasTXvUYsdQal5GFOuczr3RpVXWaUPsdJ69bn4n2hft277PmWNAb6PCynAypqSzNOSdN0wGu8uwTMHLsIQQcPjn0vdQmxuNpnELjHf6mLCbujFni4UfeT-WdunQi7/s640/aaIMG_6677-Pano+edited.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boettcher Park dock - Flathead Lake</td></tr>
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I arrived at the park at 8:14am on Tuesday the 22nd and without even getting out of the car, I spotted the scoter near the dock. A quick look through the windshield with binoculars confirmed it! Success! I got my gear and walked out to the end of the dock. The bird swam a little farther away, leading to sub-par photos of the scoter.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2h60qayqEW-dDRi1p6JtuHQTNu9SX76eWV7F0g2V3oeoVHYKHrGsxhFGWQls2r_5KLgIvJw5AnQwlYLyzhBHdwe9t6SaTzERin0PeWF1ZidtOIU8f8Qs_YBVeCYH-P4Sbu4CKsE8MRJKF/s1600/aaIMG_6639editedCROPPED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Black scoter, scoter, black scoter montana" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2h60qayqEW-dDRi1p6JtuHQTNu9SX76eWV7F0g2V3oeoVHYKHrGsxhFGWQls2r_5KLgIvJw5AnQwlYLyzhBHdwe9t6SaTzERin0PeWF1ZidtOIU8f8Qs_YBVeCYH-P4Sbu4CKsE8MRJKF/s640/aaIMG_6639editedCROPPED.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Scoter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Watching the bird dive and retrieve food was very encouraging. Sometimes when a bird is so far out of its normal range/habitat, it can have trouble finding food and may starve. After getting a lot of great looks at the scoter through the scope, I walked around the park looking for other birds.<br />
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There were 4 <b>Bald Eagles</b> in the park, and one immature bird even made a pass at the scoter! Luckily, it was woefully unsuccessful. Many <b>Canada Geese</b> were in the area, and <b>Eurasian Collared-Doves</b>, <b>European Starlings</b>, and <b>Northern Flickers</b> were moving about in the trees of the park. I found 3 <b>Song Sparrows</b> in the brush just outside the park fence. Check out my full list of birds for the park <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S32665187" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9TrS13875AZZaGtsl0rTol-H7wENbMh-vfcCNMGb-4bYvyBTavwNgVUHfdiWXjW3ih16bjM78panTAAHNJunG1jPMlYcBppVhdU3hry14EKesNhtBqEi_FfIXY9cTtYelilNib6gSRKm/s1600/aaIMG_6646edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9TrS13875AZZaGtsl0rTol-H7wENbMh-vfcCNMGb-4bYvyBTavwNgVUHfdiWXjW3ih16bjM78panTAAHNJunG1jPMlYcBppVhdU3hry14EKesNhtBqEi_FfIXY9cTtYelilNib6gSRKm/s640/aaIMG_6646edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 of the 4 Bald Eagles present</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eLDINm4NX6AoGRysSyJavzCkPQP6movjkV9e5JCMTI8v6ZhUzKp_T0G4rvU3aMT0Gqg48etiPCl_ArhKhpa-f5l2aiJYKEkVQKVF1aJ6qBGrinJpfZHZIedSAw1QLpYTRs3jgAsOixpm/s1600/aaIMG_6650edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eLDINm4NX6AoGRysSyJavzCkPQP6movjkV9e5JCMTI8v6ZhUzKp_T0G4rvU3aMT0Gqg48etiPCl_ArhKhpa-f5l2aiJYKEkVQKVF1aJ6qBGrinJpfZHZIedSAw1QLpYTRs3jgAsOixpm/s640/aaIMG_6650edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a portion of the Canada Geese at the park</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCVWFzqlX5ZNo2dxhvxYpozFYMgCjUfKwCX-buYu4K1wLqq9B2Rd3ew2eiZf37b1SNmvnZhu2giAB0FQdz2YEnVY3Xia4Q4KlpA_vrFuzGHk4Oz-1694mTRR1DvHLUQz_mmv6z1NdSlqH/s1600/aaIMG_6673edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCVWFzqlX5ZNo2dxhvxYpozFYMgCjUfKwCX-buYu4K1wLqq9B2Rd3ew2eiZf37b1SNmvnZhu2giAB0FQdz2YEnVY3Xia4Q4KlpA_vrFuzGHk4Oz-1694mTRR1DvHLUQz_mmv6z1NdSlqH/s640/aaIMG_6673edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the Song Sparrows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I left Boettcher Park and headed back north; I did after all, have work to go to. I made a quick stop at Elmo Bay along Flathead Lake to look for more wayward seabirds and not one minute after arriving I spotted some! 4 <b>White-winged Scoters</b>! I snapped a terrible photo using my phone through the spotting scope and just in time! The birds promptly took off, flying east out of sight. You can see my full checklist and photo of the scoters <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S32665753" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLO-aRL4-MCxKHxGx5V2Gg2HKuCPtFsh05iT3UAc-nPdo4-fpJ8JKgGSu6K3LQYKJW1NX4neSzvkBq-bQXSdYstR_fXpnqAqMm9Rf9wq0ikxBLXHJu1Z5GXLlRaOC_MxEj4P5n7gSnNHg/s1600/aaIMG_6688-Pano+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="elmo, flathead lake, elmo montana, elmo bay" border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLO-aRL4-MCxKHxGx5V2Gg2HKuCPtFsh05iT3UAc-nPdo4-fpJ8JKgGSu6K3LQYKJW1NX4neSzvkBq-bQXSdYstR_fXpnqAqMm9Rf9wq0ikxBLXHJu1Z5GXLlRaOC_MxEj4P5n7gSnNHg/s640/aaIMG_6688-Pano+edited.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elmo Bay - Flathead Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Each scoter were yearbirds for me; bringing my 2016 total to 333 species! Another cool thing is now I have seen all three north american scoter species on Flathead Lake this year!<br />
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You never know what birds might show up, and that is always exciting!Joshua Covillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14322391458058098504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-1528288877440475352016-11-15T16:43:00.000-07:002016-11-17T13:23:04.821-07:00Quest for Quail! Andrew Guttenberg, Tom Forwood and I got together Friday night in Missoula for a Saturday of birding in Ravalli and Missoula Counties. Our main target: <b>California Quail</b>. The California Quail in Montana have been introduced to the Bitterroot Valley as game birds for 2 decades, but have since grown to a healthy, self-sustaining population. Just a few years ago, the California Quail was accepted as a countable species in Ravalli and Missoula Counties. This is the reason for our Quest for Quail!<br />
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We started Saturday, the 12th, at Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge outside of Stevensville, MT. Thick fog first concealed the majority of the waterfowl on the ponds but after an hour, the fog started to disappear.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIR-AbNuPG94NQfF-EXxy8HmzCsLlC6Wk7M4J8NaiYW2Xz2gukIxIxkNQOP1Xmrhb6SEJnmD04WBS0LMurjDuPaBtgUHIiskZIDVagFEX3MGEyPmddnRVWQIDZitnf2ACnSGCtxuyYdWb/s1600/aaIMG_6225edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Frost, frost in the field, field of frost" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIR-AbNuPG94NQfF-EXxy8HmzCsLlC6Wk7M4J8NaiYW2Xz2gukIxIxkNQOP1Xmrhb6SEJnmD04WBS0LMurjDuPaBtgUHIiskZIDVagFEX3MGEyPmddnRVWQIDZitnf2ACnSGCtxuyYdWb/s640/aaIMG_6225edited.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">frost in the field</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjB-0jKBKSCSe-7aTHUz7lW5ceY3JdXvSzg55yC0IJztNrNmc4mdT12wqYAASRFND-KDfaGKucwhJ16ZO9jsntOxGwQ4x91NdwDrSTOi6Wes-KLP0smTWjD-I7rczeRIenOyXxv_wSjA8/s1600/aaIMG_6228edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjB-0jKBKSCSe-7aTHUz7lW5ceY3JdXvSzg55yC0IJztNrNmc4mdT12wqYAASRFND-KDfaGKucwhJ16ZO9jsntOxGwQ4x91NdwDrSTOi6Wes-KLP0smTWjD-I7rczeRIenOyXxv_wSjA8/s640/aaIMG_6228edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We walked the Kenai Trail, and found dozens of <b>Song</b> and <b>American Tree Sparrows</b>! It was great to finally see so many sparrows after the last few weeks of a nearly sparrow-less Flathead Valley.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHahkIyhBZM02R53_LAzrJ87ieO_hxAiicEDmAnDM-Q63036rZCz8fPj0nMEr4Qq54XPl9__MqO2xc75tIfZRImoY-g3bc9d7pznjq6MDAV75fgvXRvSgDET3CBF6cA0zWQuTmAmUL5WJF/s1600/aaIMG_6206edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHahkIyhBZM02R53_LAzrJ87ieO_hxAiicEDmAnDM-Q63036rZCz8fPj0nMEr4Qq54XPl9__MqO2xc75tIfZRImoY-g3bc9d7pznjq6MDAV75fgvXRvSgDET3CBF6cA0zWQuTmAmUL5WJF/s640/aaIMG_6206edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Song Sparrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaMeNrKo29PID-s5Iibe9XBAgysTl9597K4IQn2x0ZAv12sdQqtueK2kd02B1PT9EXKQuJqeed7ZH-XpOFSmb7FmKeblSjkRfCRYO6CyKjk08L7noVGzHEBpWnFYpWlUeMQoXq0ArmhW0/s1600/aaIMG_6203edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaMeNrKo29PID-s5Iibe9XBAgysTl9597K4IQn2x0ZAv12sdQqtueK2kd02B1PT9EXKQuJqeed7ZH-XpOFSmb7FmKeblSjkRfCRYO6CyKjk08L7noVGzHEBpWnFYpWlUeMQoXq0ArmhW0/s640/aaIMG_6203edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Song Sparrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOenG2cvNWDsG2OAJGVZZ0xciBbTaAfN6l04CRJuPheOhZklKu8YDyAQgF4ToMyhBL0_P1YwrZFAzj5ikmaw7Z_xNPsdyLF3jo-eoiScbBoQgZBhys9_WwDn_v_u93vaE2rvvwpJG_MgYz/s1600/aaIMG_6218edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOenG2cvNWDsG2OAJGVZZ0xciBbTaAfN6l04CRJuPheOhZklKu8YDyAQgF4ToMyhBL0_P1YwrZFAzj5ikmaw7Z_xNPsdyLF3jo-eoiScbBoQgZBhys9_WwDn_v_u93vaE2rvvwpJG_MgYz/s640/aaIMG_6218edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Tree Sparrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Among the many waterfowl on the ponds, were many <b>Green-winged Teal</b>. These are common breeders in Montana and often overwinter were food is available. They, along with most waterfowl, have just molted into alternate (breeding) plumage and are very bright! I couldn't pass up an opportunity to photograph a male in his bright colors.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLUa-7k6yQDVEqB2exeXyqpegB3CIcLYTA1imYS8twansFjwiuwJj6Q-g_IF0Oma_3lZObOkZEUE60DVZBnivGuOntaT2Vz3Fh1AVv2V3p3RnxOEyFXf3oFwhAr0QBdRu3qkFTMp3QAbp/s1600/aaIMG_6273edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="green winged teal, teal" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLUa-7k6yQDVEqB2exeXyqpegB3CIcLYTA1imYS8twansFjwiuwJj6Q-g_IF0Oma_3lZObOkZEUE60DVZBnivGuOntaT2Vz3Fh1AVv2V3p3RnxOEyFXf3oFwhAr0QBdRu3qkFTMp3QAbp/s640/aaIMG_6273edited.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-winged Teal pair. The male still has some brown feathers on his sides from his non-breeding plumage. </td></tr>
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Several <b>Trumpeter</b> and <b>Tundra Swans</b> were also on the ponds at the NWR.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5NNbN4l-pizXPgJ7emA18kMk2nATkw3696OwTRwVEwxn11v-4sOglg0hfJqxRK9ZlMQgY8rAEjgT_cMY9BuKiciJRE02Zhm9pvVYLmJuBfwp3W-C6cTPv7DIoGEchar3YMUZ6uYoM4bd/s1600/aaIMG_6286edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5NNbN4l-pizXPgJ7emA18kMk2nATkw3696OwTRwVEwxn11v-4sOglg0hfJqxRK9ZlMQgY8rAEjgT_cMY9BuKiciJRE02Zhm9pvVYLmJuBfwp3W-C6cTPv7DIoGEchar3YMUZ6uYoM4bd/s640/aaIMG_6286edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trumpeter Swans</td></tr>
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After getting our fill of birds, including two late <b>Long-billed Dowitchers</b>, a <b>Northern Shrike</b>, and a few <b>Marsh Wrens</b>, we left to look for quail! You can view our entire bird list for our visit to Lee Metcalf <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S32538962" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />
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We started our search for the <b>California Quail</b> in the middle of Stevensville, and drove up and down the city streets watching for the birds in yards. We made our way to the roads on the edge of town, and continued through some newer neighborhoods. It wasn't long before Tom spotted a small group in a yard right off the road! We turned around and pulled over, staying in the car, and watched the cute birds for 10 minutes or so! They were feeding under a hanging birdfeeder and along a small hedgerow in a yard off Burnt Fork road. I snapped away, hoping to get at least one good photo of the birds; and I did, just one photo came out while the rest were just a little blurry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8EPdKCeBruCQoEQOcW70GskNDG_DQ3cRgtlBinykGT6hPrBeAWPIAcowfoG_ng7x35pw_cPZkJFlGt7D0L4WhS9vIVjQHB4GXqYoxwGLBOxeW9JEBvKiIccFDN8uzl4gct2RvrK2jijp/s1600/aaIMG_6352edited+cropped+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="california quail, quail in montana, quest for quail, california quail in montana" border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8EPdKCeBruCQoEQOcW70GskNDG_DQ3cRgtlBinykGT6hPrBeAWPIAcowfoG_ng7x35pw_cPZkJFlGt7D0L4WhS9vIVjQHB4GXqYoxwGLBOxeW9JEBvKiIccFDN8uzl4gct2RvrK2jijp/s640/aaIMG_6352edited+cropped+2.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California Quail</td></tr>
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These birds were a new Montana state bird for me and Andrew, bringing me to 298!<br />
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Okay, so it wasn't much of a 'quest'. It was pretty relaxed birding all day, but making the trip down to Stevensville to see the quail was a trip I have been wanting to do for a while, and it felt great to see these birds at such close range and for so long. We really got to enjoy their intricate patterns and colors. It was great to add the the species to my Montana life list, but it was even sweeter to enjoy the beauty of these adorable birds! No matter what species of bird, I always appreciate a chance to share a close encounter with a bird. Nature is wonderful!<br />
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The day ended too soon, and I was driving back to the Flathead that evening to prepare for the next day of hawkwatching in the Jewel basin. I am looking forward to more birding with Andrew and Tom in the near future!Joshua Covillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14322391458058098504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-8669194996869684232016-11-15T15:51:00.001-07:002016-11-15T15:51:08.917-07:00A rainy-day surprise!<div style="text-align: center;">
After much procrastination, I will be making a few blog posts to catch up to present time, starting with this one about my day birding on October 8th, 2016.</div>
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It has been a busy autumn, and I have not had many days of just leisurely birding to myself. Most days I check a few locales on my way to work or in-between errands, and although I<i> am</i> birding, it always feels rushed. So Saturday, October 8th, I made no plans or commitments other than to spend the day birding.<br /> The birding was slow, constant drizzling rain was uncomfortable, and the heavy cloud cover made it feel dark all day. Nothing surprising on the water as I checked for loons and scoters in the north bays of Flathead Lake.<br /><br /> Checking the Flathead River near where it pours into the Flathead Lake, I heard a group of Black-capped Chickadees start to get worked up and loud. I walked over to the thicket where they seemed to be mobbing and looked for an owl. A few seconds pass as I strain my eyes to see into the dense tangle, and then my eyes adjust and MUCH closer to me than I was looking, the shape of an owl appears! Right in front of me! It's a <b>NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL</b>! My first ever! I'm shaking I run to the car only a few meters away and grab my camera! The bird was calm and allowed me to get a few good shots of it before I left it in peace.<br />
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What a wonderful surprise! A day I will not forget. This <b>Northern Saw-whet Owl</b> is my 462nd bird species I've ever seen, and my 297th bird for Montana.</div>
Joshua Covillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14322391458058098504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-74420672949990592572016-08-31T18:21:00.001-06:002016-08-31T18:21:39.384-06:00Photography Post - end of summer As summer is winding down I have been preparing for my big trip to Arizona and Utah. As busy as I have been, I have not forgotten about my blog, and I want to share some of my favorite photos I shot this summer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise in Glacier National Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning sun on the Pryor Mountains - viewed from Bighorn Canyon NRA</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at our campsite in the Bighorn Canyon NRA, Wyoming</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie and the Bighorn Canyon at Devil's Overlook.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lifer Sagebrush Sparrow - Bear Canyon Rd - Pryor Mountains, Carbon County Montana</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie and I enjoying the beautiful Montana mountains!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning sun in Yellowstone NP</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-tailed Towhee - Park Co, MT</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHTQXlz9khpXjIRoHVIlGS8tul71fW7hMNQ1gGubViXjxDfNA5Oe4XZg-4oZbi35J0YZUbTpqbK59nYcoQWRtvn8qsZl1AKCyprI5gIy_oNJ-fDgcc2Lew8SUYfJHx-tlD3-3BDoA97b7/s1600/aaIMG_2273_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHTQXlz9khpXjIRoHVIlGS8tul71fW7hMNQ1gGubViXjxDfNA5Oe4XZg-4oZbi35J0YZUbTpqbK59nYcoQWRtvn8qsZl1AKCyprI5gIy_oNJ-fDgcc2Lew8SUYfJHx-tlD3-3BDoA97b7/s640/aaIMG_2273_E%2526R.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-tailed Towhee - Park Co, MT</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5M96mJ5r9Ai1wgVy_qooJwhZEX-D6cSQd7Poty9tOeTGXMCQWpO9-TKpM4OuGJD1d04_KGFnQNym_7VZ8gkaFHbOXPxRVsvvOyCmgxoNT6X8Rj3IzTlP-lCZlWTqv45JNZDV_I0JFjp5W/s1600/aaIMG_0120_edited_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Xlo4D8txSvV190gMBelRd-exyV2lD9GVe-7G13xyEhO8rGoadfxvpsIWmEEjMEqbLjD7mjDlvt4H7yB1_VTqdBisJH_rFW5PavyS2hNqgHwzdJZivqhcZD9-6KvKy6hjPP4i5LjHEQx1/s1600/aaIMG_2410_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Xlo4D8txSvV190gMBelRd-exyV2lD9GVe-7G13xyEhO8rGoadfxvpsIWmEEjMEqbLjD7mjDlvt4H7yB1_VTqdBisJH_rFW5PavyS2hNqgHwzdJZivqhcZD9-6KvKy6hjPP4i5LjHEQx1/s640/aaIMG_2410_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A skull of some creature on the hillside. Park Co, MT</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfGYkxkhHXdi7HTK-8q-r3d90S_IFrhUIqWnhxgeAvZmHZQ5jTbSYysJx_5oRyCmkYHdJAHh42qqq8xUlN4BztQevQjK-MP9eryR5v_g86W7h_DUH9i5_oRR6Xwkot6B3CQWVQRur7w1U/s1600/aaIMG_9931_edited%2526resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfGYkxkhHXdi7HTK-8q-r3d90S_IFrhUIqWnhxgeAvZmHZQ5jTbSYysJx_5oRyCmkYHdJAHh42qqq8xUlN4BztQevQjK-MP9eryR5v_g86W7h_DUH9i5_oRR6Xwkot6B3CQWVQRur7w1U/s640/aaIMG_9931_edited%2526resized.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-bellied Marmot - Giant Springs State Park - Great Falls, MT</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufQX7AakHwQ2Rkg6fZL4Xk7jfUjy7iY0gBr28PnI1XuPlMtiGyluAbHZhOm-hnYlYNRJeivYIW1ZgL9xBf21bk0K0WacUmKxOlN0FpBf6JN-kR-rJymbZAHwhB1hvFRh_MsukTmFbcSLX/s1600/aaIMG_2832_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufQX7AakHwQ2Rkg6fZL4Xk7jfUjy7iY0gBr28PnI1XuPlMtiGyluAbHZhOm-hnYlYNRJeivYIW1ZgL9xBf21bk0K0WacUmKxOlN0FpBf6JN-kR-rJymbZAHwhB1hvFRh_MsukTmFbcSLX/s640/aaIMG_2832_edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new adventure car!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVWKy0T5j-ujjFLj4_Tl7rEg8Rg0P-8JM7s0Mblg1o40m0MfEo9eGWTwRGtHsWk8mwHViy90B8wmlrIRLQEliUSMU-sG-u9qId88T_if2T0ArzjgRX7uCCIh7kP0f08yKnJ_9xweYgDNA/s1600/aaIMG_0936_edited%2526resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVWKy0T5j-ujjFLj4_Tl7rEg8Rg0P-8JM7s0Mblg1o40m0MfEo9eGWTwRGtHsWk8mwHViy90B8wmlrIRLQEliUSMU-sG-u9qId88T_if2T0ArzjgRX7uCCIh7kP0f08yKnJ_9xweYgDNA/s640/aaIMG_0936_edited%2526resized.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">evening light on Lake MacDonald - Glacier National Park</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWlrYiEami8uRbsKFwEx0gIiFWRsR0NX00TnjSuTcqWiSCvRXEZs9gK97zh88a9uzYtTmWQSKkljjoiDHMrzdWm9qpT_c5Ojt8wthCPK4mSnUCxW3aWUQvtV2PzpZXXT8d5TZ4QmXcC7d/s1600/aaIMG_3088-HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWlrYiEami8uRbsKFwEx0gIiFWRsR0NX00TnjSuTcqWiSCvRXEZs9gK97zh88a9uzYtTmWQSKkljjoiDHMrzdWm9qpT_c5Ojt8wthCPK4mSnUCxW3aWUQvtV2PzpZXXT8d5TZ4QmXcC7d/s640/aaIMG_3088-HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grinnell Glacier and upper Grinnell Lake - Glacier NP</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2iZfrXZ24dqimhfRkWGxac39keh5WYzAMhNlnA8CXKk24qWXLe2iR9qxzGT0yfZqG8P-H3WytP94WgM25ZfSp4yZgN94g1kdkGCn4Ao4S4Kqi56i78YAypL4Hddp3QH4BCaySkK4yI0v/s1600/aaIMG_2564-HDR_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2iZfrXZ24dqimhfRkWGxac39keh5WYzAMhNlnA8CXKk24qWXLe2iR9qxzGT0yfZqG8P-H3WytP94WgM25ZfSp4yZgN94g1kdkGCn4Ao4S4Kqi56i78YAypL4Hddp3QH4BCaySkK4yI0v/s640/aaIMG_2564-HDR_edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunrise at Bowman Lake - Glacier NP</td></tr>
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Here are a few of my favorites! I hope you enjoy the photos!</div>
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Check back to see my next post from southeast Arizona!!</div>
Joshua Covillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14322391458058098504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-53065273691628535442016-08-08T14:32:00.000-06:002016-08-08T14:32:33.969-06:00An Owl in the Cemetery On thrusday, August 4th, I stopped at the Spring Creek Cemetery along West Valley Road. I have driven by numerous times and always thought it looked like it may be a good spot for resident and migrating birds.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZexpHLE6HR9WdnuER6hjQlmnOptCyKvjr7uyFhHl4lj_KE5ZxbqcFKMnQ1GXodsqwNBtzNoOv5036y3vySxda9VLtvf5f-7ziJ3Bw5_K4UjRVasAq9MuChZWHxKzP0QaGYLW1Q1ekr4Kf/s1600/aaIMG_2829_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZexpHLE6HR9WdnuER6hjQlmnOptCyKvjr7uyFhHl4lj_KE5ZxbqcFKMnQ1GXodsqwNBtzNoOv5036y3vySxda9VLtvf5f-7ziJ3Bw5_K4UjRVasAq9MuChZWHxKzP0QaGYLW1Q1ekr4Kf/s640/aaIMG_2829_edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Spring Creek Cemetery</td></tr>
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It was a beautiful and cool morning, and I walked around the cemetery looking for small birds. I was surprised to look up and see a <b>Great Horned Owl</b> sitting 8 feet up in a mature tree, just staring at me. My first thought was "<i>great! what a cool place to find an owl!</i>", then I wondered about the correlation between a cemetery and an owl.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUzWCg8L-epXtxiRSHuT9jM1yqbo53VjtaXFxbg7jwjFnt03FCCjo0NGBDBwA8GVLeHI8sVLy6tWj5b0NA2nVdaBUiX8xpb_ORl2zah0yku1vPt-nLqUWko-GlsKpf13gzUzaHbh-ZDVF/s1600/aaIMG_2809_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUzWCg8L-epXtxiRSHuT9jM1yqbo53VjtaXFxbg7jwjFnt03FCCjo0NGBDBwA8GVLeHI8sVLy6tWj5b0NA2nVdaBUiX8xpb_ORl2zah0yku1vPt-nLqUWko-GlsKpf13gzUzaHbh-ZDVF/s640/aaIMG_2809_edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Horned Owl - Spring Creek Cemetery</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJ3-G44BsSzFrtj8i15CeA60-yCUl0i07h09HrosSB2rAVb9pVNwRELKe-B6hGhZKX8Puptq7RSl1VltzOoUQXfc4yQnUUNz7Xi0B_0OyIIyLaYg_yHM2WwkHF3i0JRKq3vOf0oh8zvje/s1600/aaIMG_2778_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJ3-G44BsSzFrtj8i15CeA60-yCUl0i07h09HrosSB2rAVb9pVNwRELKe-B6hGhZKX8Puptq7RSl1VltzOoUQXfc4yQnUUNz7Xi0B_0OyIIyLaYg_yHM2WwkHF3i0JRKq3vOf0oh8zvje/s640/aaIMG_2778_edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Great Horned Owl - Spring Creek Cemetery</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSuqhBejuZO06QeOh4Mgw-P593u7NmgMPNjHJu-IWtogfJ_ADlJ613mN51BWKbDLGOtIJSemNzt_SjZw8Di8ClJ0NsrudbEXdr_AfoMehZNpOlb_4WMH2aRHCl8YVAxpFSlhe6rFyU-Hs/s1600/aaIMG_2769_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSuqhBejuZO06QeOh4Mgw-P593u7NmgMPNjHJu-IWtogfJ_ADlJ613mN51BWKbDLGOtIJSemNzt_SjZw8Di8ClJ0NsrudbEXdr_AfoMehZNpOlb_4WMH2aRHCl8YVAxpFSlhe6rFyU-Hs/s640/aaIMG_2769_edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Great Horned Owl - Spring Creek Cemetery</span></td></tr>
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Here is a passage I found on owls in North American Tribal culture.<br />
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<i>"In most Native American tribes, owls are a symbol of death. Hearing owls hooting is considered an unlucky omen, and they are the subject of numerous 'bogeyman' stories told to warn children to stay inside at night or not cry too much, otherwise the owl may carry them away. In some tribes, owls are associated with ghosts, and the bony circles around an owl's eyes are said to be made up of the fingernails of ghosts. Sometimes owls are said to carry messages from beyond the grave or deliver supernatural warnings to people who have broken tribal taboos. And in the Aztec and Mayan religions of Mexico, owls served as the messengers and companions of the gods of death."**</i><br />
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Interesting...<br /><br />
My belief of the symbol of an owl is nearly the opposite. I see it as a good omen, a blessing on the day. To see an otherwise nocturnal bird with quiet and secretive habits, I believe, is great! The owl makes its living trying to not be detected, so finding one, especially in the day, is a good blessing. Maybe it has to do with the owl being outsides its relm, and into one we have dominated, that makes it seem special to me. It feels like a visitor, and if I were to spot an owl at night, I sure would feel like the outsider then!<br /><br /> I hope anyone who is reading this can appreciate what it takes to find and see an owl during the day, and make your own idea of what it means to you to see an owl.<br />
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<i>**Source of the above quote:</i><br />
<i>http://www.native-languages.org/legends-owl.htm</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUmfN9CuIKiMBDn4gbW9mNxzmHpLR3kZFZxeIGCvnhJJVqIgbUFUZJK8XhXPZO0UcuwGbofJ19oqVNbJ9kN3Zv54RqPZK_1wkQ6hDmS0hwlleoQXMBr5H3rysXz7vvhWcABGnJhKWaetU/s1600/aaIMG_2826_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUmfN9CuIKiMBDn4gbW9mNxzmHpLR3kZFZxeIGCvnhJJVqIgbUFUZJK8XhXPZO0UcuwGbofJ19oqVNbJ9kN3Zv54RqPZK_1wkQ6hDmS0hwlleoQXMBr5H3rysXz7vvhWcABGnJhKWaetU/s640/aaIMG_2826_edited.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Joshua Covillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14322391458058098504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-41648241076337802652016-08-08T14:07:00.002-06:002016-08-08T14:07:35.084-06:00A quick trip out east!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjjHqfm8cHr3wfA53X5JqejJi2rMbZxcVubO-3f-jxGiU_XQjZoof9faAeemdEIPIc7NKL6cdEGAbp90zw3wg5jHATbLt_BXbifDxiZ1y1V7EOyoaK1tBIsdtcOl3I8bLsHGshbXVs1B7/s1600/aaIMG_2040_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjjHqfm8cHr3wfA53X5JqejJi2rMbZxcVubO-3f-jxGiU_XQjZoof9faAeemdEIPIc7NKL6cdEGAbp90zw3wg5jHATbLt_BXbifDxiZ1y1V7EOyoaK1tBIsdtcOl3I8bLsHGshbXVs1B7/s640/aaIMG_2040_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Rocky Mountain Front as viewed from east of Browning</td></tr>
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This year has been the best year I've had in a while, and it's only half over! I've found my groove again, and have been birding every chance I get, along with just about every other outdoor activity one can do in this great state!<br />
With all the birding and trips I've taken so far, I have amassed a personal Montana bird list larger than any other year! Being on such a role, I decided to try and keep it going by running out to the NE of Montana and looking for the prairie specialists I have not seen this year.<br />
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I set out Wednesday the 13th for Malta. The plan is to camp in Malta Wed. night and bird Bowdoin first thing in the morning, moving to the surrounding area in the late morning/early afternoon before driving home (a 6 hour drive!).<br />
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On the way to Malta, once I got to the east side, I saw several Ferruginous and Swainson's Hawks! I have seen these species earlier this year, but no one can get tired of seeing a Ferruginous Hawk!<br />
Somewhere east of the small town of Inverness, I happened to spot a Swainson's Hawk nest along the highway! I stopped to snap some pictures and left in a timely manner as to not disturb the birds. The parents were not happy that I stopped to check them out!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqJhwQKI2e522p2K-4KRcvpfkpfUx1WlWEzZQk162La2Cp5Nbby6JJDPcrU0lQ7iLueK1mbJMfZFCwAXRMI3yLsbOT4XUUhtXLhH7ZxIwBcZ-wkA2X-N7X3ZrXbOHbXDOoU8zz-rZwgp2/s1600/aaIMG_1537_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqJhwQKI2e522p2K-4KRcvpfkpfUx1WlWEzZQk162La2Cp5Nbby6JJDPcrU0lQ7iLueK1mbJMfZFCwAXRMI3yLsbOT4XUUhtXLhH7ZxIwBcZ-wkA2X-N7X3ZrXbOHbXDOoU8zz-rZwgp2/s640/aaIMG_1537_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swainson's Hawk nest with 2 young</td></tr>
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In this cropped in photo, you can see 2 young hawks, and a ripped-apart ground squirrel hanging from one of the branches! </div>
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Just east of Chinook, I turned north onto Bagan Road. This is a good, known spot to find Sprague's Pipit, Baird's Sparrows and other prairie specialists. I decided to check it out on my way east, just in case I miss Sprague's or Baird's elswhere, I can at least try for them on Bagan Rd.</div>
The first half mile goes through some lush fields and crosses a river with thick riparian habitat around it. After that, the road climbs a hill and plateaus on the native shortgrass prairie. Almost immediately after I stopped and stepped out of the car, I heard a singing <b>Sprague's Pipit</b>! The first year bird of the trip! There were a few <b>Lark Buntings</b> and <b>Loggerhead Shrikes</b> along the road, and Vesper and Grasshopper Sparrows singing in the field, but I did not hear a Baird's Sparrow. I could have spent hours here but I was running out of time if I wanted to make camp in Malta before the sun went down!<br />
Driving back to the highway, just after the river, I spotted a female oriole on the fence. I hit the brakes and skidded to a stop and craned out the window with my binoculars. Here, it could be a Baltimore Oriole or a Bullock's. Sure enough, it was a female <b>Baltimore Oriole</b>! Second year bird of the trip! She flew to a shrub, and I got out and walked closer to get a better look. I discovered 4 more orioles, including an adult male! It was a family group with 3 juveniles! I managed a few poor shots to record this sighting!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1nxMyKMcaaigKsp2PQkpyH0ufzk6YxBIP06Ls9L0zlfv6O0FOk5AjRqASHxHlRhm3fYoe5zjpRh3stP-EKHChPWJuADj-vrp2-bpP03hlRr3N8VeZRA4TvdL8AP6MWFMM_UG_N3l-kNr/s1600/aaIMG_1584_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1nxMyKMcaaigKsp2PQkpyH0ufzk6YxBIP06Ls9L0zlfv6O0FOk5AjRqASHxHlRhm3fYoe5zjpRh3stP-EKHChPWJuADj-vrp2-bpP03hlRr3N8VeZRA4TvdL8AP6MWFMM_UG_N3l-kNr/s640/aaIMG_1584_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adult male Baltimore Oriole</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-MVGYOD499P5TxRuc7WLkcTVR0Znv5QUZ-Y0ffXUNJbKT_m0o48t0656mR9T_9tYYGDN0nRbo65FRrx8w2BqaPN1sFgY4XL-w4YgMm9DUvoQJ7ItHWer_FTRLDpfQKTzhygWdjsilmeg/s1600/aaIMG_1596_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-MVGYOD499P5TxRuc7WLkcTVR0Znv5QUZ-Y0ffXUNJbKT_m0o48t0656mR9T_9tYYGDN0nRbo65FRrx8w2BqaPN1sFgY4XL-w4YgMm9DUvoQJ7ItHWer_FTRLDpfQKTzhygWdjsilmeg/s640/aaIMG_1596_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">juvenile Baltimore Oriole</td></tr>
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After snapping a few shots of the orioles, I was back on the highway, with another hour to go before I reached Malta.</div>
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Making it to Tafton Park around 8:30pm, I found a good spot and set up camp. It was quickly getting dark as I took a quick walk around camp after the tent was up. <b>Gray Catbirds</b>, <b>American Robins</b>, <b>Western Kingbirds</b>, and<b> Common Nighthawks</b> were the abundant birds as it got dark. Sometime in the middle of the night, I awoke to an Eastern Screech-Owl calling in a tree fairly close to my tent! I laid in tent, half away, wondering if I should get up and try to see the owl as it would be a lifer if I saw it. Unfortunately, my half awake/half asleep brain prioritizes more sleep above all else, and I fell back asleep. In the morning, and throughout the day, I kicked myself for not getting up! I could have seen a screech-owl, and a lifer at that! Maybe next time...</div>
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I got out of town, and made it to <b>Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge</b> (7 miles east of Malta) around 5:50am. It was a beautiful and calm morning, lots of birds about, and no shortage of mosquitoes!<br />
One of my main target birds, the Nelson's Sparrow, has been seen on the south end of the driving route, which I found out was CLOSED! Yeah, the auto tour route was closed at the railroad crossings, effectively blocking access to the area the Nelson's Sparrow is. I drove down the sw portion of the route to see just how much area I can access before the RR tracks. Also, this section is the area the Sedge Wrens have been found, which was my other top target bird. They inhabit dense and tall wet Timothy grass fields, and once I reached the first patch of good habitat, I stopped the car and got out to see what I could find. Almost immediately, I heard a singing <b>Sedge Wren</b>, and saw an additional bird foraging fairly close to the road! I grabbed my camera and spished the bird to a higher perch and snapped some record shots!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSlE-kL5Y-CdL4rXyXOJkLEXbtSKh1Uv7w_MFDWkWeA-jdVMJPNK7hWEX845aBgNRjXTFuvl7-NRBLYmSki2n8W6GNpZk6SWF5JKIpNH7pmibWmTrZPMIJQ7E21prF0xk9r-Fims_e3MI/s1600/aaIMG_1770_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSlE-kL5Y-CdL4rXyXOJkLEXbtSKh1Uv7w_MFDWkWeA-jdVMJPNK7hWEX845aBgNRjXTFuvl7-NRBLYmSki2n8W6GNpZk6SWF5JKIpNH7pmibWmTrZPMIJQ7E21prF0xk9r-Fims_e3MI/s640/aaIMG_1770_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedge Wren</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_deFOKqgQJnN2qZ5eQ9Oog28RPKKGJBSM64x4H6uOhQ0h2E03djKt3vozurFkmuCE3QT2cupNrOYBfJFbqFJeTw9-dOlIKBmx9kJqxUb__6oojFwyRc9u4E51AmBSizwR7JtSVL2hxCvd/s1600/aaIMG_1746_E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_deFOKqgQJnN2qZ5eQ9Oog28RPKKGJBSM64x4H6uOhQ0h2E03djKt3vozurFkmuCE3QT2cupNrOYBfJFbqFJeTw9-dOlIKBmx9kJqxUb__6oojFwyRc9u4E51AmBSizwR7JtSVL2hxCvd/s640/aaIMG_1746_E.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedge Wren</td></tr>
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I have only seen the Sedge Wren 2 other times; once in Florida (Feb. 2008), and once in North Dakota (Jun. 2008). This means it's a new Montana state bird for me, bringing my personal state list to 291!</div>
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Continuing east on the auto tour route to 'Patrol Pond', I counted 11 total <b>Sedge Wrens</b>! That's huge! These habitat specialists are fairly uncommon in eastern MT and to find a local breeding population with this many birds is great! Records from earlier in the season at Bowdoin have only counted 2 to 3 birds. I believe the early morning with calm weather allowed me to locate more birds that would have been possible later in the day and/or with stronger winds.</div>
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After reaching the end of the line, where the road meets the railroad tracks, I turned around and headed back to the other end of the auto-tour route. after about the first half mile or so, the route opens up to grasslands and great views of the main lake. I heard singing <b>Sprague's Pipits</b>, <b>Grasshopper Sparrows</b>, and a few <b>Baird's Sparrows</b>! The Baird's Sparrows, although they never showed themselves, were my next yearbird! Slowly, I'm getting the prairie specialties I set out to find. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPg0cfHPFrxJJj_pR3_lFK6UQS7BXJ5SvePSFIBDru0GvFRt2kKsjXaSqRvQBL_TXSYVGlhHB2wwomtwsdfpT5-aen1S8KWYCe3rO8fTO_Ra1udVlbEcxy8JzRSjqWrEBHwQdKgR7nZMNw/s1600/aaIMG_1853-HDR_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPg0cfHPFrxJJj_pR3_lFK6UQS7BXJ5SvePSFIBDru0GvFRt2kKsjXaSqRvQBL_TXSYVGlhHB2wwomtwsdfpT5-aen1S8KWYCe3rO8fTO_Ra1udVlbEcxy8JzRSjqWrEBHwQdKgR7nZMNw/s640/aaIMG_1853-HDR_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The natural prairie that surrounds the lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaIqiMmQawBbbALD8Zy9jD-_B99JGfKLP-0T12Dx_Rfb5DGkX5rxz1BrMUcCnpEXxmdxxh6Egv_Slqd1gp7aZsLfHqUWzxFKiVzgpP-t33EHiyZbNOmywQk0ibvSfRkBmkfh3uTSkm1k8/s1600/aaIMG_1808_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaIqiMmQawBbbALD8Zy9jD-_B99JGfKLP-0T12Dx_Rfb5DGkX5rxz1BrMUcCnpEXxmdxxh6Egv_Slqd1gp7aZsLfHqUWzxFKiVzgpP-t33EHiyZbNOmywQk0ibvSfRkBmkfh3uTSkm1k8/s640/aaIMG_1808_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A passable photo of one of the many Grasshopper Sparrows I encountered<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmMGJ34354XC5eA0c2N1KRc9Krec3L6m_WgRB0_ltk67IClG7e9RYdfCgdkAHLAf7TJtsxo5hdAXriDszQi7phg7cUp-TZulF_TM6gUrSGvarBbrw-k6bi1VMF4g-jhiRcj9lGikhPagr/s1600/aaIMG_1817_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmMGJ34354XC5eA0c2N1KRc9Krec3L6m_WgRB0_ltk67IClG7e9RYdfCgdkAHLAf7TJtsxo5hdAXriDszQi7phg7cUp-TZulF_TM6gUrSGvarBbrw-k6bi1VMF4g-jhiRcj9lGikhPagr/s640/aaIMG_1817_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photogenic female Lark Bunting along the auto tour route</td></tr>
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Where the route gets closer to the road, I had good views of the resident birds that breed on or near the water. <b> Franklin's Gulls</b>,<b> American Avocets</b>,<b> Black-necked Stilts</b>,<b> White-faced Ibis</b>, and<b> Willets</b> were plentiful.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBea8eJW7lvPOq5p-3Kx0F2pJ1ZQ_-XCV58eXcrTLhjOBfX8L4pnzljTIDlvwAKRedSRYijntt8UkuCiTxi-c-FI-Az4Xft3Ke0zggXcgo91KWveVrQTK4SB0C5WMh1PPFg8WJ9ckcUzO/s1600/aaIMG_1953_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBea8eJW7lvPOq5p-3Kx0F2pJ1ZQ_-XCV58eXcrTLhjOBfX8L4pnzljTIDlvwAKRedSRYijntt8UkuCiTxi-c-FI-Az4Xft3Ke0zggXcgo91KWveVrQTK4SB0C5WMh1PPFg8WJ9ckcUzO/s640/aaIMG_1953_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-faced Ibis</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrilw94jTlq7zq1BzBtQUwIRZqcmjef49XRvd255r32xPWd6ens3leYbyIeDdNMRvHjhJoHjdm2IT50KZq8pcnW5MOIaI5QZENbcj1TViDnATGIkvoWYJVaJN0W5ftEIptm81cX0-pZiD/s1600/aaIMG_1895_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrilw94jTlq7zq1BzBtQUwIRZqcmjef49XRvd255r32xPWd6ens3leYbyIeDdNMRvHjhJoHjdm2IT50KZq8pcnW5MOIaI5QZENbcj1TViDnATGIkvoWYJVaJN0W5ftEIptm81cX0-pZiD/s640/aaIMG_1895_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Franklin's Gull</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxi26xObFg65OMxHcme1eSoPuadBTB9_1wdbZovffVy1eVfYSk62wIJlGsmPihP38dlj3DpWaNIlbeBFB9Zn2fA7D_jgDIVm6sQmqnC9EGCv_bQtw89QUceSbxcdk68Ktt797RzM3QYdv/s1600/aaIMG_1827_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxi26xObFg65OMxHcme1eSoPuadBTB9_1wdbZovffVy1eVfYSk62wIJlGsmPihP38dlj3DpWaNIlbeBFB9Zn2fA7D_jgDIVm6sQmqnC9EGCv_bQtw89QUceSbxcdk68Ktt797RzM3QYdv/s640/aaIMG_1827_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Avocet<br /></td></tr>
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On this stretch of the route, I spotted a small group of shorebirds on the close shore. Looking through them, I spotted one that was larger than the <b>Semipalmated Sandpipers</b> near by. A <b>Sanderling</b>! A great unexpected find! Until that moment, I have not seen a Sanderling in the state, making that my state bird #292!</div>
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Working my way back along the route after turning around at the train tracks again, I spotted a <b>Short-eared Owl</b> in a shrub! It's always a good day when you see an owl, especially close enough for a photo!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQgDpazWTj3J06qdLjXseUqsstgrQPEb8MLiRqiDPp4SIVirfxZLMzSEuxQJxBqrK6zsyKQlVhQbkTpheEEriNYn13KoiY9oiIV5a-EbATvDGjGgSLTVwvU6x-k9wSFHeKOzCTS4ZTYtw/s1600/aaIMG_1924_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQgDpazWTj3J06qdLjXseUqsstgrQPEb8MLiRqiDPp4SIVirfxZLMzSEuxQJxBqrK6zsyKQlVhQbkTpheEEriNYn13KoiY9oiIV5a-EbATvDGjGgSLTVwvU6x-k9wSFHeKOzCTS4ZTYtw/s640/aaIMG_1924_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Short-eared Owl</td></tr>
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Finishing my time at Bowdoin NWR, I set off for Bentonite Road southwest of Glasgow, MT. There I hoped to find the resident Mountain Plovers.<br />I started down the road at about 2pm after the hour drive from Malta. It was sunny but there were rain clouds on the horizon. The road starts out in agricultural fields and then moves to all native short-grass prairie. In the first stretch, I was lucky enough to snap a photo of one of the most striking sparrow species we have in Montana; the <b>Lark Sparrow</b>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBcdiIpi4jyJ-MUWV2IPqKoeux2D1P3KrbueGnQQjLO6zsGhO4gnZLMmeRmRccyJT1RDUTpP9Rn736_yUVOsFaTnAHwG3T1z62by-RQ1LLWm0HO43R-RiiNZwIl9Qawuu70vsO5xZXURs/s1600/aaIMG_1989_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBcdiIpi4jyJ-MUWV2IPqKoeux2D1P3KrbueGnQQjLO6zsGhO4gnZLMmeRmRccyJT1RDUTpP9Rn736_yUVOsFaTnAHwG3T1z62by-RQ1LLWm0HO43R-RiiNZwIl9Qawuu70vsO5xZXURs/s640/aaIMG_1989_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lark Sparrow</td></tr>
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Moving down the road, I encountered several Lark Buntings, Vesper Sparrows and a small herd of Pronghorn.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuwvElX0NymSufYu-1FOwjeS_X7hDEiMlZBumEiQYPgR813gUJ_E79CPiti3Vz3ts0Mdu3Py0bS8KvC_oMtSXv3vAbr0u1dj0AnUH8lNbR-uxeOHARz7lunVBkEBX9ElXSxzMuhf7-b3G/s1600/aaIMG_2015_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuwvElX0NymSufYu-1FOwjeS_X7hDEiMlZBumEiQYPgR813gUJ_E79CPiti3Vz3ts0Mdu3Py0bS8KvC_oMtSXv3vAbr0u1dj0AnUH8lNbR-uxeOHARz7lunVBkEBX9ElXSxzMuhf7-b3G/s640/aaIMG_2015_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vesper Sparrow with a meal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iFMElulgtN_69HYavoDxxvY37UyEM5hBmYfPEBhn370ug2BU5ZFafPX9rbfrTR9LeIq8dVxJAbr49EHNqNIEzXGOqL2P332GYf-UYkg-quUJngGVIgld2LikE8wIjN2_Wrx9x2pWe0zi/s1600/aaIMG_2007_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iFMElulgtN_69HYavoDxxvY37UyEM5hBmYfPEBhn370ug2BU5ZFafPX9rbfrTR9LeIq8dVxJAbr49EHNqNIEzXGOqL2P332GYf-UYkg-quUJngGVIgld2LikE8wIjN2_Wrx9x2pWe0zi/s640/aaIMG_2007_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 of the 15 or so Pronghorn along Bentonite Road.</td></tr>
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Unfortunately, a rainstorm was fast approaching, and a local stopped me to warn me that the road because impassable in the rain. I turned around and abandoned the search for the Mountain Plovers, but not before get a shot of the storm that stopped my search.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufS2JUyrfRue-H6Scsndz9o18DLc70C8qjM-7nHg4hWdivtEjmVX5N801w09QYS-CPmCNnHuoXgnAHb6RDkKwMwLkViL5Dl4kXv1CRYIfiQmYMAksuEd1y10zKx0EUzTfLFbcJcOocSUR/s1600/aaIMG_2033_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufS2JUyrfRue-H6Scsndz9o18DLc70C8qjM-7nHg4hWdivtEjmVX5N801w09QYS-CPmCNnHuoXgnAHb6RDkKwMwLkViL5Dl4kXv1CRYIfiQmYMAksuEd1y10zKx0EUzTfLFbcJcOocSUR/s640/aaIMG_2033_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big and beautiful storm that halted my quest for Mountain Plover</td></tr>
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I returned to Glasgow, joined Montana Highway 2, and headed home. On the 6 nearly 7.5 hour drive home, I saw several <b>Ferruginous Hawks</b>, <b>Loggerhead Shrikes</b>, and <b>Western Kingbirds</b>. The beauty of the northeast Montana prairie always amazes me. I will be back; I don't know how soon, but I will be back.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyEimeKMJ8SNqwrraFvGNQBhYVraE7ISDcZ7F4zjzhRXkfu2oQHtzYoQfFapuD-eKFrpXg6G3yjdlyKPe0086oP1iD0WaRxOvc6xx_W6KtZxXPrObx4m9AypaIRkVTn-t8Idpu_TDbIBw/s1600/aaIMG_2051_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyEimeKMJ8SNqwrraFvGNQBhYVraE7ISDcZ7F4zjzhRXkfu2oQHtzYoQfFapuD-eKFrpXg6G3yjdlyKPe0086oP1iD0WaRxOvc6xx_W6KtZxXPrObx4m9AypaIRkVTn-t8Idpu_TDbIBw/s640/aaIMG_2051_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on the Montana praires (taken just east of Browning)</td></tr>
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Joshua Covillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14322391458058098504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-64307395659924438922016-07-13T10:49:00.001-06:002016-11-25T15:53:34.653-07:00Lesser Goldfinch! That's right! I got my lifer Lesser Goldfinch! BJ and I spent the morning of July 11 birding my "secret spot" in Flathead County (see blog post below) and found a male LEGO!<br />
At the 1.1 mile of Cromwell Creek Rd, it splits and a lesser road goes left, and the main road continues right up the backside of the knoll. It was here where we stopped and spent some time looking around at the mass of birds around.<br />
I noticed a small finch fly in to the bottom of a thick bush. I assumed it was a Pine Siskin, but once it landed, I saw it had much more yellow on the body! I quickly raised my binoculars and instantly recognized it as a male Lesser Goldfinch! I yelled with excitement and BJ ran over and we observed the bird for less than a minute before it left as abruptly as it arrived! We tried but failed for a photo. Nevertheless, an amazing find and lifer for me! That makes my life list 405!!!<br />
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This area continues to produce a plethora of birds, in diversity and sheer numbers!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzibafJ7hRX1h_poWS6Y5Gae5ACbZt8aac9XTnOQCr3XPeSDX6N86ObQqSvS_VyOU4Hj-cDH_oUAFSHlnZGQYJYh98dUPTgPxN2_d7H_YQLPziqvsxM6amzwiMZNSyy9n5mk5BI7X0gktX/s1600/aaIMG_1425_edited%2526resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzibafJ7hRX1h_poWS6Y5Gae5ACbZt8aac9XTnOQCr3XPeSDX6N86ObQqSvS_VyOU4Hj-cDH_oUAFSHlnZGQYJYh98dUPTgPxN2_d7H_YQLPziqvsxM6amzwiMZNSyy9n5mk5BI7X0gktX/s640/aaIMG_1425_edited%2526resized.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Catbird, a common bird in the dense shrubs along Cromwell Creek</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a male Lazuli Bunting, common along Cromwell Creek</td></tr>
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Joshua Covillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14322391458058098504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-60116263545907795022016-07-13T10:35:00.002-06:002016-07-13T10:37:14.659-06:00Flathead county's secret spot! Flathead County is a Montana's 3rd largest county, with 5,099 square miles.<br />
It includes the parts of Glacier National Park, The Great Bear and Bob Marshall Wildernesses west of the Continental Divide; the north end of Flathead Lake, and large tracks of the Flathead National Forest up to the Canadian Border.<br />
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The area that has become a focus of my interest lately, is the small section circled in green on this map. The little "appendix" swings down and grabs some large areas of native grassland and dry pine forests. It is accessed by highway 28, between Elmo and Hot Springs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yjw1o2xulFsbA6AzOmF4f0xFPWwNopc7KgooRZhWSrP5azQB4tzpXX18ApM-gswEjDRNnvee5EYdm3yhltR03WTF0olE8YH5Q3IxYpcV_95BVfl0CMlgXr332X7lqEi91IPrHYo0xTQo/s1600/Flathead+countyGREEN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yjw1o2xulFsbA6AzOmF4f0xFPWwNopc7KgooRZhWSrP5azQB4tzpXX18ApM-gswEjDRNnvee5EYdm3yhltR03WTF0olE8YH5Q3IxYpcV_95BVfl0CMlgXr332X7lqEi91IPrHYo0xTQo/s400/Flathead+countyGREEN.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the only large and basically untouched plot of this habitat in the county, so naturally I had to check it out.<br />
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First was Thursday night, June 30th. This is the best habitat in the county for Common Poorwill, and in my recent poorwill searches, I had to try for a county poorwill! I drove down and took Brown's Meadow Road north from the highway, stopping ever so often listening for poorwills. At about 10:45pm, I heard at least 3 birds singing from the hillside a few hundred yards away! Success!! This could be the first spot in the county to hold reliable and probable breeding <b>Common Poorwills</b>!<br />
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As I drove back home that night, I planned my return in the morning. The grassland area holds the prospect of several birds that would be found no-where else in the county.<br />
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5:45AM July 1st: I pulled off the highway onto Brown's Meadow Road, and go 150 yards before stopping to listen for whatever is out there. My target was Grasshopper Sparrow, although, none have been reported there before, it was the right habitat.<br />
Nearly first thing I heard was a singing <b>Grasshopper Sparrow</b>! New county bird for me! <br />
I spotted it sitting on a small bush, and watched it sing a few more times before continuing on down the gravel road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKGCPtm_1lwmM9hlHPmmo69qqT0ZirrnRGV4K9euEn2r7FygLvKICIvX_oPN6WptDw3lF9bqPBPQTxgfEvK3O8jUyzFlIrrodCAOvwv-JVlTDUrVB-pW7v0eILKqAWwYYQYn-7LAwe320/s1600/aaIMG_1401_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKGCPtm_1lwmM9hlHPmmo69qqT0ZirrnRGV4K9euEn2r7FygLvKICIvX_oPN6WptDw3lF9bqPBPQTxgfEvK3O8jUyzFlIrrodCAOvwv-JVlTDUrVB-pW7v0eILKqAWwYYQYn-7LAwe320/s640/aaIMG_1401_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where the Grasshopper Sparrows are: looking west, in the first half mile of Browns Meadow Road</td></tr>
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The next 2 miles had loads of <b>Western Meadowlarks</b>, and <b>Vesper</b> and <b>Savannah Sparrows</b>. I even heard a few <b>Horned Larks</b> and a <b>Long-billed Curlew</b>!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-IuJ23Gj_ViwcCU9c_JoWCziqT1XNGtVrfYXP7twxJpGtiSzQ196wnzw2gBAHfl1TKMW_1wnNmLwif2TWmNFhPCq2Y5DnEYwsqvxgaJPPjRc8GM5xUqmpcPcFvIrrrI6fTvPyXeRHDFg/s1600/aaIMG_1311_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-IuJ23Gj_ViwcCU9c_JoWCziqT1XNGtVrfYXP7twxJpGtiSzQ196wnzw2gBAHfl1TKMW_1wnNmLwif2TWmNFhPCq2Y5DnEYwsqvxgaJPPjRc8GM5xUqmpcPcFvIrrrI6fTvPyXeRHDFg/s640/aaIMG_1311_edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Meadowlark</td></tr>
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After the first 2 miles, the road splits and Brown's Meadow Road (BMR) continues to the right. Along here, there are many small cliff faces and in them, <b>Rock Wrens</b>! The whole while birding this area, I was looking for Lark Sparrows, but no luck this time. In 2 miles (again) the road splits, and Cromwell Creek Road takes right as BMR continues left.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xnomMVeJ9u45QkzAse1wlrRM00mXY6uc8aMNWJPpUABBXWtRINzsAtccnv9EppITFihGrGXA_H5SnU1ZJNgFIKF7gehkjfAqFt13CVtBNy0RR7RWsbVcjeXIWDelawp0FTTn8uaC7DA2/s1600/aaIMG_1271_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xnomMVeJ9u45QkzAse1wlrRM00mXY6uc8aMNWJPpUABBXWtRINzsAtccnv9EppITFihGrGXA_H5SnU1ZJNgFIKF7gehkjfAqFt13CVtBNy0RR7RWsbVcjeXIWDelawp0FTTn8uaC7DA2/s640/aaIMG_1271_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky cliff faces along Browns Meadow Rd; where the Rock Wrens are first detected</td></tr>
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Cromwell Creek Road is the one to take.<br />
Crossing the cattle guard, I only made it about 1 mile up in 1 hour and 40 minutes! It is loaded with birds! There are many the same birds I could find in the valley, but with this setting and lack of people, it was magical. Also, it might be tougher to find a few species that seemed to be standards on this road. <b>Cassin's Finch</b>, and <b>Rock Wrens</b> to name a few.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgCQCJpcfOh-oLWAUAnVMYY4CN79q7h7Hji5K_oWztvvimL5ErMAVH2wPxhZLaALKkiOH2X0Dulv7s0iJXjSR7K-4M2bpqnGynyzQqwrS31Aqe0LvTn1TZX9GkuAosQ-G0zupoLcG5h9W/s1600/aaIMG_1447_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgCQCJpcfOh-oLWAUAnVMYY4CN79q7h7Hji5K_oWztvvimL5ErMAVH2wPxhZLaALKkiOH2X0Dulv7s0iJXjSR7K-4M2bpqnGynyzQqwrS31Aqe0LvTn1TZX9GkuAosQ-G0zupoLcG5h9W/s640/aaIMG_1447_E%2526R.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along Cromwell Creek Rd. Great habitat on both sides!</td></tr>
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The family of <b>Rock Wrens</b> I ran into were very entertaining to watch! I even managed a few shots of one of the fledglings!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K6zw93kOBxFSKVRFQ61oyw1Lw8w_nMk0m4zRtiXh8kVYCCAenzDbYVzl1-_x7-TD5CZm9IZoCjx3b29iY84Tc9My0OP2-i00zipEuxleQZFe3CItgbhK6mf1KQAnYil1dLq-eq63sxyM/s1600/aaIMG_1138_edited%2526resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K6zw93kOBxFSKVRFQ61oyw1Lw8w_nMk0m4zRtiXh8kVYCCAenzDbYVzl1-_x7-TD5CZm9IZoCjx3b29iY84Tc9My0OP2-i00zipEuxleQZFe3CItgbhK6mf1KQAnYil1dLq-eq63sxyM/s640/aaIMG_1138_edited%2526resized.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The road makes it's way into a dry, Ponderosa Pine-mix forest as it climbs the hill. Here, I had 3 <b>Gray Jays</b> and a few flyover <b>Red Crossbills</b>! I ran out of time, but this forest definitely need more attention!<br />
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One week later, I make it down again.<br />
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5:45AM July 8th: Craig Hohenberger had saw a Lark Sparrow and Say's Phoebe on BMR on the 7th, both birds I had missed the week prior. First thing, 150 yards up from the highway on BMR, I heard a singing<b> Grasshopper Sparrow</b> probably the same bird I heard last week. In my search for Lark Sparrow, I end up locating 5 individual Grasshopper Sparrows! They were all withing the first 0.8 miles of BMR on the west side of the road. This is most likely the first and only spot in the county that they are reliable and possibly breeding! <br />
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I continue up BMR, finding 4 <b>Long-billed Curlew</b> and a juvenile <b>Prairie Falcon</b>! This seems to be a reliable spot for curlew, which would be the only spot for the county also!<br />
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This time, I try the first mile of Battle Butte Road, looking for the Lark Sparrow and Say's Phoebe. Same as BMR, its littered with <b>Western Meadowlarks</b>, <b>Brewer's Blackbirds</b>, and <b>Vesper Sparrows</b> are singing all over, but no Lark Sparrows this time. On this road, I found a very squashed snake! It's hard to say but I believe it is a rattlesnake of some kind!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTglpAccz0JYbBXGAQZ2AgYR1KZezfXvxPeGsYGzdOyQkDK8bP1ihflUD2M7t7_QiTYU2c3fXrfId4K9CaH-MY5dAqyN_GkWHnxMRM12yBEhGXeVEInR43-YX9o_UalxYRsErCWLFT8yd/s1600/aaIMG_1261_E%2526R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTglpAccz0JYbBXGAQZ2AgYR1KZezfXvxPeGsYGzdOyQkDK8bP1ihflUD2M7t7_QiTYU2c3fXrfId4K9CaH-MY5dAqyN_GkWHnxMRM12yBEhGXeVEInR43-YX9o_UalxYRsErCWLFT8yd/s400/aaIMG_1261_E%2526R.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rattlesnake squished on the road</td></tr>
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Trying the cliffy stretch of BMR, I find another family (separate the first family) of <b>Rock Wrens</b> on the cliffs about 0.5 miles from the turn. Watching them, I spot a <b>Say's Phoebe</b>! County year bird #207! Driving to the cattle guard and back, I fail to locate a Lark Sparrow but I pick up a singing <b>Brewer's Sparrow</b>!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along Browns Meadow Rd, after the right turn. Cliff area to the left, sunflowers to the right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 Mule Deer along Brown's Meadow Road.</td></tr>
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What I am finding is a area rich in birds, several that are not easily (or at all) found in the valley! It is proving to be a good spot for Grasshopper Sparrow and Long-billed Curlew, as well as Horned Lark and Say's Phoebe. With the great habitat and little human use, I believe this is an area worth many more explorations! Maybe even a Flammulated Owl in the forest above the grassland!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Kingbird - Brown's Meadow Road</td></tr>
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Joshua Covillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14322391458058098504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-27759314558489560662016-07-06T17:09:00.001-06:002016-07-06T18:18:26.686-06:00Resurrection!<br />
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Whoa, what a long time it has been since I visited my own blog! Life gets busy, and priorities change, motivation ebbs from here to there; I had forgotten about birding, and this blog. </div>
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Now, I am back! After a few years of loosing track of my passion, a week long, cross-country road trip with my girlfriend (of 4 years!) and my sister has reminded me and my soul of where I should be and what I should be doing! Since December, I have been birding constantly, making up for lost time, and I have been loving every second!</div>
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That brings me to this blog. I feel now that I am solid in where I need to be, I should start blogging again. It is a great way to share my experiences with others and express myself.</div>
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So, there it is! I'm beginning to blog again, and the next few posts will probably be recapping a few great sightings and trips from earlier this year. See you all then!</div>
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- Great Gray Owl -</div>
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I photographed this bird on the 24th of May, 2016</div>
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Joshua Covillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14322391458058098504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-11071493184303309812010-08-01T16:33:00.005-06:002016-07-06T18:20:53.344-06:00Bird of the Month: Gray-crowned Rosy Finch<img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500575268263421826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjn2pg8yQaltuUrBLRs9o2TrhcMHct9Tu0AxusKu6Xq4HD4zKXK8NR4oIS37LHs-T6b6bmHGbXIIXPDjwQyOCTMhUy1zTwbF_XWfKz4NyjaKUhWXoYof3lxPG0uC5dKhrWwZsCVMp-fSm/s640/BlogBirding+in+GNP+279.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="425" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFM5090qeOx7H4VComHW16cSSBK2pYYcn2EK5-9SemQ7Q_JQJPK-BX0X7JXDs-YSkQUPdWKlV5_1vUkAuU2byqCcovGellSqkZ49g2dXgyCOWKu4y0yNiKpwZDtjO50cLFfuETqlya-_s/s1600/BlogBirding+in+GNP+229.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500575297297464674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFM5090qeOx7H4VComHW16cSSBK2pYYcn2EK5-9SemQ7Q_JQJPK-BX0X7JXDs-YSkQUPdWKlV5_1vUkAuU2byqCcovGellSqkZ49g2dXgyCOWKu4y0yNiKpwZDtjO50cLFfuETqlya-_s/s640/BlogBirding+in+GNP+229.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="467" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0ySBOHXGmivs9Aohc4z_Rp1vqsWZwHoFFmEZlI-dlNE5m88JMBI2Wlu2jIIsji_ChrGs3iHeKBKMf-Q0MvsVayqqa1K25pEqxz12ljhJJ2hdbYXhMC1IsvgrxAyyl1Epe05K4wHZZl5j/s1600/BlogBirding+in+GNP+234.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500575277706590274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0ySBOHXGmivs9Aohc4z_Rp1vqsWZwHoFFmEZlI-dlNE5m88JMBI2Wlu2jIIsji_ChrGs3iHeKBKMf-Q0MvsVayqqa1K25pEqxz12ljhJJ2hdbYXhMC1IsvgrxAyyl1Epe05K4wHZZl5j/s640/BlogBirding+in+GNP+234.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="454" /></a>My favorite photo (above)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3pUHD4Sd35RXeJPVDKChdhVP7An9s-pONlPxPZPXWbJ4CcSixsU816noUEFdlxd2BdMlO-CvY6F7bQib4q-0N43dgOvsImG5EEfE3-ELOvf0Lp9IfXYCdAzuZ4Mx1m34c5YrxU_BRQ0z/s1600/BlogBirding+in+GNP+333.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="426" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500575265713859730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3pUHD4Sd35RXeJPVDKChdhVP7An9s-pONlPxPZPXWbJ4CcSixsU816noUEFdlxd2BdMlO-CvY6F7bQib4q-0N43dgOvsImG5EEfE3-ELOvf0Lp9IfXYCdAzuZ4Mx1m34c5YrxU_BRQ0z/s640/BlogBirding+in+GNP+333.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcoB-9Evqr6L6Bd1WDd7topEu3FkUT57TcnITB5XoyfEpX4_2bnrRABuh_x3arpbWG13u3QA9ocHt-kDEec62OOj2B9Xozh9SVB0g2LbCXNnDWRjSCSZPuYRaqn7LE-ZkUa2IcjkA9JKu/s1600/BlogBirding+in+GNP+341.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="420" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500574314390981714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcoB-9Evqr6L6Bd1WDd7topEu3FkUT57TcnITB5XoyfEpX4_2bnrRABuh_x3arpbWG13u3QA9ocHt-kDEec62OOj2B9Xozh9SVB0g2LbCXNnDWRjSCSZPuYRaqn7LE-ZkUa2IcjkA9JKu/s640/BlogBirding+in+GNP+341.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="426" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500574290065029794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0pFUt0lx3QvalS82GIv60-xlPgpHYez8i7HOBwqIUkRqKLJ1a1JGKoej8jXxHX361jewV0A_fWD12vDG1eAcKUFL1snxvFdPr_tec3cs8e1ENOZTX5TG8TjCgbBZL319Ob21-1g1eul9/s640/BlogBirding+in+GNP+400.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSdRm8sTqufzB6iN2F2q_P1LmVW8TENEdqC1uiwHVqenPydJSq-5vUm3PycYmm-NSVoFL9PsJ9LfAtwffp7GzD20SpbCm4KKUwfWwCAfOF16D4VRB8IluxKQF9yuDrvAyglEocuYHYeuz/s1600/blogBirding+in+GNP+369.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="461" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500574300411038530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSdRm8sTqufzB6iN2F2q_P1LmVW8TENEdqC1uiwHVqenPydJSq-5vUm3PycYmm-NSVoFL9PsJ9LfAtwffp7GzD20SpbCm4KKUwfWwCAfOF16D4VRB8IluxKQF9yuDrvAyglEocuYHYeuz/s640/blogBirding+in+GNP+369.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNplQj7mgeyGHR8qtXCq65shXaLyESgXWCWoMswfq6bEgP0efGf37xqMP3FmM3I-ylTvaso_FQ80JEt70DIY3C1sqifKgzx9lwa4IAoGCqdSS32d53SxzRM5Oyr6zSONUPKYIUbfwZ6PmF/s1600/BlogBirding+in+GNP+433.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500574281631040994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNplQj7mgeyGHR8qtXCq65shXaLyESgXWCWoMswfq6bEgP0efGf37xqMP3FmM3I-ylTvaso_FQ80JEt70DIY3C1sqifKgzx9lwa4IAoGCqdSS32d53SxzRM5Oyr6zSONUPKYIUbfwZ6PmF/s640/BlogBirding+in+GNP+433.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="426" /></a></div>
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JoshChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062475856301025745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-49029063478054543812010-08-01T12:42:00.005-06:002010-08-01T16:33:02.419-06:00Logan Pass Expedition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZX4GZeRQ58Vw4acVR-XWMaVqyDkgdRgHPUM2rtemfWh6dEp5j8NjtrF3kh7Qih0mVbOaqnED-_pbJxjzB48BjOrTXetYkK5w0FshoCkCWzN4q7_Lr81Nskm8vEmM8j2MwLzrwEMN0rCn/s1600/BlogBirding+in+GNP+019.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500516564865021970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZX4GZeRQ58Vw4acVR-XWMaVqyDkgdRgHPUM2rtemfWh6dEp5j8NjtrF3kh7Qih0mVbOaqnED-_pbJxjzB48BjOrTXetYkK5w0FshoCkCWzN4q7_Lr81Nskm8vEmM8j2MwLzrwEMN0rCn/s400/BlogBirding+in+GNP+019.JPG" /></a> Logan Pass (pictured above). 6,689 feet above sea level. Great spot for birds and more abundantly, people. Mostly residents from all over, including Europe and Asia, just here for a few days. <br /><br />The birds though, the birding is what draws me to Logan Pass. The views and mammals are draws "normal" people to Logan Pass. On this day, both took me there. My visiting relatives and I made a trip up the boardwalk to the Hidden Lake lookout. Here are the pictures and story.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4OGdZIIars6pncZiLw6Ff89rr7CjSmtijN7WTxsIDRtKUI3FDNkIThvR_I5L4jBkt21eUkrq9dRbljz3ub_UsPvnc3Vzcnm6zsYqM3UaxVjmKNIY6SKJUQzfww5Sm3JHZW1Nbf8NgiVu/s1600/BlogBirding+in+GNP+028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500516545750324530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4OGdZIIars6pncZiLw6Ff89rr7CjSmtijN7WTxsIDRtKUI3FDNkIThvR_I5L4jBkt21eUkrq9dRbljz3ub_UsPvnc3Vzcnm6zsYqM3UaxVjmKNIY6SKJUQzfww5Sm3JHZW1Nbf8NgiVu/s400/BlogBirding+in+GNP+028.JPG" /></a> In the first 500 feet of the trail, Columbian Ground-Squirrels dominated.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBeimQL6HkVjpAHQ8fkuKBG87tZ6Yx4OZTGeXAt4TaN38W8wvq7BQsfMxDRIuZal-0L3jzFFTy1lx0DSfH2LW-QQGdT4ZBQJ-fEPR6-p6JnRpZ2uizofHSzsYnyt1z9mPSSJr9UIjvayw/s1600/BlogBirding+in+GNP+110.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500516527303023474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBeimQL6HkVjpAHQ8fkuKBG87tZ6Yx4OZTGeXAt4TaN38W8wvq7BQsfMxDRIuZal-0L3jzFFTy1lx0DSfH2LW-QQGdT4ZBQJ-fEPR6-p6JnRpZ2uizofHSzsYnyt1z9mPSSJr9UIjvayw/s400/BlogBirding+in+GNP+110.JPG" /></a> They definitely know how to show-off for the visitors. The ground-squirrels are very conditioned, which isn't the best thing.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_r7a1NqA1vdSRUuW5FCRq9tQ471OLYrYyBbkgt7u9bHBIdTtJV67jGqlXKW9dA2J9ulWP89MHK4zA2VUcqa9ZvDCnETuy9D0tYr1V1cMToDlm9Mdjb9OKeE7oZSE_FQtYtu2zK9iDO5k/s1600/BlogBirding+in+GNP+157.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500516500929486562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_r7a1NqA1vdSRUuW5FCRq9tQ471OLYrYyBbkgt7u9bHBIdTtJV67jGqlXKW9dA2J9ulWP89MHK4zA2VUcqa9ZvDCnETuy9D0tYr1V1cMToDlm9Mdjb9OKeE7oZSE_FQtYtu2zK9iDO5k/s400/BlogBirding+in+GNP+157.JPG" /></a> The views from the boardwalk were killer!! The snow pack is continually melting, so there was a lot of water flowing around.</div><div> </div><div>My target bird, Gray-crowned Rosy Finch. This bird always gets me. It's elegant and just down right cool! </div><div> </div><div>I saw about 10 or so birds, and even got some killer photos!!!<br /></div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500515749183667234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlsC2CFyVn3PxnNCVd3B9EmLbFlt1Y5iAYUa1xFXaTA212z9M3vNqYw17ENcwVIaTHBVIDrRcVXkQzLNpeQ6HTxqx0HS_qUPKeRB3cl9V7kxWOCwbSrxLfPkFwtJhIfjcFt5qHHb3l1wA/s400/BlogBirding+in+GNP+182.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 402px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500515727401298306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZwKfMfgTmjLBQkZQ7sB8OcKhWEsp44Hsp0Q_St0ZfgnWUBUkkYDQFHwo_JZ9MR79g9-T-iHJe_GXyfJlmSlo4u6dUJqIgepUaRenNCLh_1YZeXfQ5nAEx955GsD0-9u-fh2YyUFJjGRJ/s400/BlogBirding+in+GNP+420.JPG" /> I found an adult bird feeding 4 juvenile birds! WAY COOL!!!<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500515716113874770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlWyw8xE5doKndqM9hb15Bqz7nVBh5q6W7CoFK0p4EbAFomRCkA5SXy9yR55MbUCsTxuImcD-K9QCQAViSKFv0CMzabNkR1VUj3mUniSx04AXTQamRyDNe0SmljTGk9LiTc980N_i2L5r/s400/BlogBirding+in+GNP+427.JPG" />Please check my next post for a series of photos of the birds!!</div><div> </div><div>Finally, at the Hidden Lake Lookout, I saw a few White-crowned Sparrows and Golden-mantled Ground-Squirrels<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCl5yuzKa1lvz62-xfEUXF8BI1wVhRVObth_ZKXnp0m-bqk8VlziZxGyHfo_L8MhvDh6wGo4m74zqg6jMm-IjXyFt1RwfCWFzQCyqelgEVEa3jkoLMzmurcz_XNiYIwX1fBqAyAWPisEX/s1600/BlogBirding+in+GNP+463.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500515703007192962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCl5yuzKa1lvz62-xfEUXF8BI1wVhRVObth_ZKXnp0m-bqk8VlziZxGyHfo_L8MhvDh6wGo4m74zqg6jMm-IjXyFt1RwfCWFzQCyqelgEVEa3jkoLMzmurcz_XNiYIwX1fBqAyAWPisEX/s400/BlogBirding+in+GNP+463.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszU76YkGhvKF8Tx762UiTQ8_bmyO2RfybvrWNdfOjkXRExijPQ2LqsUiMBxATyRr4Zt08VaQy1bg33xbKdGjXrtHRWWMWy4w6bRo-WCuT8sjYmxlPBiPbcfZlVt7WTWCOmMTx8ZOaHO5z/s1600/BlogBirding+in+GNP+499.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500514966214807618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszU76YkGhvKF8Tx762UiTQ8_bmyO2RfybvrWNdfOjkXRExijPQ2LqsUiMBxATyRr4Zt08VaQy1bg33xbKdGjXrtHRWWMWy4w6bRo-WCuT8sjYmxlPBiPbcfZlVt7WTWCOmMTx8ZOaHO5z/s400/BlogBirding+in+GNP+499.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOFu5liJYURirqMdYhk__6DdPr-yRkXqAlvq0yE7jZb_IN2LQH7Vxu-i-Q0v3fwH0FXkP0xnFN5eT161T3EP6cmGtP5M7QPGUXbiYjZjYf0uPPp3NzGjqMxKcOVfDReJinWDNY8u33oEB/s1600/blogBirding+in+GNP+520.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500514955409302818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOFu5liJYURirqMdYhk__6DdPr-yRkXqAlvq0yE7jZb_IN2LQH7Vxu-i-Q0v3fwH0FXkP0xnFN5eT161T3EP6cmGtP5M7QPGUXbiYjZjYf0uPPp3NzGjqMxKcOVfDReJinWDNY8u33oEB/s400/blogBirding+in+GNP+520.JPG" /></a>Like the Columbian Ground-Squirrels, these little guys are also trained to beg for food. Sad but cute.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1GzXto7UJWPE2MG6Qm6qmSmf5RHZqm_oDjXzHtuRbu9l7DHMCMuFzRz_cspFPV_Py6TrF5VdVGTN4FexRqYYlILUdCAXQRRNGY907i8DxFmeBPnhWKfgRSRY-knhw02PboLVIgkwXPxx/s1600/BlogBirding+in+GNP+521.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500514941801794594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1GzXto7UJWPE2MG6Qm6qmSmf5RHZqm_oDjXzHtuRbu9l7DHMCMuFzRz_cspFPV_Py6TrF5VdVGTN4FexRqYYlILUdCAXQRRNGY907i8DxFmeBPnhWKfgRSRY-knhw02PboLVIgkwXPxx/s400/BlogBirding+in+GNP+521.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UzGl-9cN7nRBh77ooZ2WrXrzauFZyn1MrYxw8rziQcR8Ck4eDt-JnEbIGA5hErnJrVLHQ1F3nnF8-70t5rGvm0LKDeUZZvi_4GNPqZXw9CHepbAJgyi0FUcuXxT8WuFy5fCTDdbcVeQe/s1600/BlogBirding+in+GNP+526.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500514924411883042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UzGl-9cN7nRBh77ooZ2WrXrzauFZyn1MrYxw8rziQcR8Ck4eDt-JnEbIGA5hErnJrVLHQ1F3nnF8-70t5rGvm0LKDeUZZvi_4GNPqZXw9CHepbAJgyi0FUcuXxT8WuFy5fCTDdbcVeQe/s400/BlogBirding+in+GNP+526.JPG" /></a>Views from the boardwalk, White-tailed Ptarmigan and Gray-crowned Rosy Finch habitat.</div><div> </div><div>The Rosy Finch is my 198th yearbird!! WOOHOO!</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jXwEuXBaZPx6b0rFoZKccbwNkI-VpCd1SHeTJk1RUjjPO0Vx0ANbXz_6a8RFWW0eS4-I3AggO2UpIJdzGIxqbtO-31iTFX3T0q1yJCNbP7pyfinAfn9-RJuxi2RQGx-6g_G72t0qK-x8/s1600/BlogBirding+in+GNP+559.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 236px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500514912262199074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jXwEuXBaZPx6b0rFoZKccbwNkI-VpCd1SHeTJk1RUjjPO0Vx0ANbXz_6a8RFWW0eS4-I3AggO2UpIJdzGIxqbtO-31iTFX3T0q1yJCNbP7pyfinAfn9-RJuxi2RQGx-6g_G72t0qK-x8/s400/BlogBirding+in+GNP+559.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>JoshChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062475856301025745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-8239587838817579452010-08-01T00:32:00.005-06:002010-08-01T12:39:11.412-06:00Campin' and Birdin'<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzvsCLmGd_GMIMIqOQGocz0OXMduQFiKUjLLqNjvo7VcQ3lzqhE3_uLfc2EtDIZ8U_1Y0usgW-tCxfNGHLZB5E8NrEymnvuGMJku7RPPuPyjezbdO7hQcWA5iC1XmbGencnBU5g0bs0iF/s1600/Blog2Birding+and+camping+207.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500328019642613874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzvsCLmGd_GMIMIqOQGocz0OXMduQFiKUjLLqNjvo7VcQ3lzqhE3_uLfc2EtDIZ8U_1Y0usgW-tCxfNGHLZB5E8NrEymnvuGMJku7RPPuPyjezbdO7hQcWA5iC1XmbGencnBU5g0bs0iF/s400/Blog2Birding+and+camping+207.JPG" /></a> Monday, after work, I meet up with my family. We were to go camping, and they already set up camp at our spot. This was a great spot too; it was full of birds! Along Hungry Horse Reservoir, the birds are great and the water is warm...perfect.<br /><br />Tuesday morn, I woke up at 6:30am to the sounds of Swainson's Thrush, MacGillivray's Warbler, Red Crossbill, Townsend's and Audubon's Warbler ((formerly the Audubon's form of Yellow-rumped Warbler-they were split, again)) What a wonder way to wake up!<br /><br />I walked around the campsite, and down to the lake.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8W6at68kg3jOZiP4Kw2Hul2HpO57604DPB83jKgfmsjhQol1S5nvOjW-NfuqLe9j563WTeL-jookrQdiqX9r2lZEyfHMKYWSf_ldPBTs_3i0A-mYgt45G6LcMfro2t6aAJBv3Ojd6bVhg/s1600/Blog2Birding+and+camping+244.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500328015672732482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8W6at68kg3jOZiP4Kw2Hul2HpO57604DPB83jKgfmsjhQol1S5nvOjW-NfuqLe9j563WTeL-jookrQdiqX9r2lZEyfHMKYWSf_ldPBTs_3i0A-mYgt45G6LcMfro2t6aAJBv3Ojd6bVhg/s400/Blog2Birding+and+camping+244.JPG" /></a> The birds were great!! I got eye-level looks at a Townsend's Warbler feeding in a bush. AMAZING! Juvenile Ruby-crowned Kinglets were right in my face! Cool stuff.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZo758NLqQRQO5yQuFfGN8xK0lBdmPi6NFm951MWemui92cAJw5NdGPA0WM1z2r7h1jQQQqu1zp6DIlnwNYmp6MwPS-q3oeeoEj-lMpFTx9e2_sPTx-hr9NHGYFX0djIK1WrCxVja1DtAz/s1600/Blog2Birding+and+camping+251.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500328008517616802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZo758NLqQRQO5yQuFfGN8xK0lBdmPi6NFm951MWemui92cAJw5NdGPA0WM1z2r7h1jQQQqu1zp6DIlnwNYmp6MwPS-q3oeeoEj-lMpFTx9e2_sPTx-hr9NHGYFX0djIK1WrCxVja1DtAz/s400/Blog2Birding+and+camping+251.JPG" /></a><br />Walking back, I spooked a male Pine Grosbeak. I got some good looks at him. It sure has been awhile since I got good looks at a male Pine Grosbeak.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPrOSHKd7UCFTihKKvWJmbfK9FaejPUwd_Yp8e7ZApPCxr9L4JYWsb4wJTkI88iW-JwsAPU6zXJNX4IWJNe-IGMPuyh9nkb5SfGFr_Zp9tiH35d3hacXzlCPmyEIUxH6uQAOLpIDEtpxg/s1600/Blog2Birding+and+camping+267.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500328000981114658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPrOSHKd7UCFTihKKvWJmbfK9FaejPUwd_Yp8e7ZApPCxr9L4JYWsb4wJTkI88iW-JwsAPU6zXJNX4IWJNe-IGMPuyh9nkb5SfGFr_Zp9tiH35d3hacXzlCPmyEIUxH6uQAOLpIDEtpxg/s400/Blog2Birding+and+camping+267.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_PQqJ7sRVjK9efFDE0IRmAMjddq5LfIvKJrjmAovjP9T_7IvI1dTXmbbrC2-QgZVl5_9WreRSBjDMQnRmJ-HmYEL5kQjPKql-BPS8N18Gn5cGS3UwV4z4W2GuNziMD-Fv5rh8LJRY6le/s1600/Blog2Birding+and+camping+311.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500327994484406738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_PQqJ7sRVjK9efFDE0IRmAMjddq5LfIvKJrjmAovjP9T_7IvI1dTXmbbrC2-QgZVl5_9WreRSBjDMQnRmJ-HmYEL5kQjPKql-BPS8N18Gn5cGS3UwV4z4W2GuNziMD-Fv5rh8LJRY6le/s400/Blog2Birding+and+camping+311.JPG" /></a> Swainson's Thrush were everywhere out there.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoVlKdXEwLVYMZN8P5N1SuU0PPG2ijuk3VW0w0hJtGrVgVZ8aFuSA32PkKS1l-yyydfxr5jj3LxxwLCEI16twoYJJ6MZnv6wphtAkkiIKXcYqMbsjCB4c-7xTAlXUQalXu-UbsqBrQDnz/s1600/Blog2Birding+and+camping+339.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500326842308956306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoVlKdXEwLVYMZN8P5N1SuU0PPG2ijuk3VW0w0hJtGrVgVZ8aFuSA32PkKS1l-yyydfxr5jj3LxxwLCEI16twoYJJ6MZnv6wphtAkkiIKXcYqMbsjCB4c-7xTAlXUQalXu-UbsqBrQDnz/s400/Blog2Birding+and+camping+339.JPG" /></a> Huckleberries. The second greatest joy of camping up here.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0YYSUGO5wa6kuSf9b8WNY0tpIRu7H164ht0gA8XVdiaGcluqVp12lrNv28uwXCQqfpBPYbQM5k3neTGqJt7iUyDmPe_58hyphenhyphen2Ce0aPKUfcVmGBm0GO8rMzdZJWUH8vCHlmrBkkWYcZaYR/s1600/blog2Birding+and+camping+461.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500326836636878370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0YYSUGO5wa6kuSf9b8WNY0tpIRu7H164ht0gA8XVdiaGcluqVp12lrNv28uwXCQqfpBPYbQM5k3neTGqJt7iUyDmPe_58hyphenhyphen2Ce0aPKUfcVmGBm0GO8rMzdZJWUH8vCHlmrBkkWYcZaYR/s400/blog2Birding+and+camping+461.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKP8JPdqXphfbQbwvIlKdNZbwJ_dXQ8XaNHrQC3j0jEFdvo4fGCXWSlrq9RlIlEPK3S_Bo_yphKpcqtFYA8dnzYWhiFDeFeNYRjo0Cf2HqTusTzZPZ8HUvR9uWLBloqWL44vzz5qx_Kk3/s1600/Blog2Birding+and+camping+512.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500326826840199906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKP8JPdqXphfbQbwvIlKdNZbwJ_dXQ8XaNHrQC3j0jEFdvo4fGCXWSlrq9RlIlEPK3S_Bo_yphKpcqtFYA8dnzYWhiFDeFeNYRjo0Cf2HqTusTzZPZ8HUvR9uWLBloqWL44vzz5qx_Kk3/s400/Blog2Birding+and+camping+512.JPG" /></a> Wednesday, my dad and younger cousin went and explored. We found a nice hiking trail up high in the mountains, and started trekking!</div><div> </div><div>Up there, I saw a Cordilleran Flycatcher!! yearbird number 198!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhNQOfch0lssQ0MnYZw2WNZSI6lTm9gvKfl03pYxq0sz2hyphenhyphenXPFtqiDWSu7NVVyd-8c2ai0zpHECLbrB5KRdvc9XNOBA334htHfUNHWNP1jRvZNgm_4VKcLZn1_XuCLsJ8kzFk5jZFsQcd/s1600/Blog2Birding+and+camping+591.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500326824497512866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhNQOfch0lssQ0MnYZw2WNZSI6lTm9gvKfl03pYxq0sz2hyphenhyphenXPFtqiDWSu7NVVyd-8c2ai0zpHECLbrB5KRdvc9XNOBA334htHfUNHWNP1jRvZNgm_4VKcLZn1_XuCLsJ8kzFk5jZFsQcd/s400/Blog2Birding+and+camping+591.JPG" /></a> Coolest butterfly!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_AZpjIodc8iewi0eWRObzwshGaTkUetPx1qlgVuX0YmDAvY4mYw8yNq3z7xTUCtDykyDF9XL07mzLGrFkWZERxmir6qmjZH7KKR9Cog5gAYQlULmK39fNYhZAIxwu_8t8WUaQ8qeC77_/s1600/blog2Birding+and+camping+601.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500326814981343378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_AZpjIodc8iewi0eWRObzwshGaTkUetPx1qlgVuX0YmDAvY4mYw8yNq3z7xTUCtDykyDF9XL07mzLGrFkWZERxmir6qmjZH7KKR9Cog5gAYQlULmK39fNYhZAIxwu_8t8WUaQ8qeC77_/s400/blog2Birding+and+camping+601.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p>I saw some good birds, and had some good times.</p><p>Check back soon for more posts about my birding in the last 2 days!</p>JoshChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062475856301025745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-4595075913414346452010-07-29T21:39:00.003-06:002010-07-29T22:14:26.456-06:00Work Benefits...Monday the 26th I woke up bright and early. Time to do some birdin'<br /><br />I took a drive down Riverside Rd in Creston to visit the "Bobolink" spot off of O'Bryan Rd. Unfortunately, its just late enough in the season that the males aren't singing very much, but I did find 2 bird!!! I love seeing BOBOs<br /><br />Right near there, along the stream, there was about 40 Bank and Cliff Swallows! I found a juvenile Bank Swallow that must of gotten clipped by a car; it couldn't fly and was sitting on the road.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30MsZcqRUySuZZZQonHtRPFh-QQ8ptC8fgStC59vn3ue3UlA0RPNECATyHmjD-bsuaW7YhAD46-dH41_V90L8NrHZQujM0r9YNqAWnlq7C0Xy3BjNwt8sUEnLt98C_pCrRC92Rg_DfqIs/s1600/Blog1Birding+and+camping+062.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499539603520811074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30MsZcqRUySuZZZQonHtRPFh-QQ8ptC8fgStC59vn3ue3UlA0RPNECATyHmjD-bsuaW7YhAD46-dH41_V90L8NrHZQujM0r9YNqAWnlq7C0Xy3BjNwt8sUEnLt98C_pCrRC92Rg_DfqIs/s400/Blog1Birding+and+camping+062.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknKMTC_AM8TFqnNF0TORaIaot0r6WwERcgLhyphenhypheng7mZ3UqDRJ759_ZXtpY5oiy5h_A_EzWeTTlp3OemeYZRr1ePkJXveIG6dyUArokJ6mpfSLojPGMeMtKS_IecF9mjp73Cz3Naf6SMPaZv/s1600/Blog1Birding+and+camping+094.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499539594705923634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknKMTC_AM8TFqnNF0TORaIaot0r6WwERcgLhyphenhypheng7mZ3UqDRJ759_ZXtpY5oiy5h_A_EzWeTTlp3OemeYZRr1ePkJXveIG6dyUArokJ6mpfSLojPGMeMtKS_IecF9mjp73Cz3Naf6SMPaZv/s400/Blog1Birding+and+camping+094.JPG" /></a>I moved the poor bird off the road and wished him/her a good life, not knowing how much longer he/she will live.</div><div> </div><div>That is one benefit of working in Bigfork. I have to drive past great birding spots to and from work! </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499539584528522050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi535W7aG7SZyiDJ7yNpJpDt-fidpKxsBfNvSqLR8cONtBFcaXqerNcQe-CVuS_IkA2hx7LoVFrulA1DGSlweyDUdWejnEq6VWVEQz-Vn2SHw_VkaR6z5zZtAjeJPwYPYvJIpAZJ5ZBG2lH/s400/BLog1Birding+and+camping+115.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div>Now after a great day at work (Kehoe's Agate Shop) I was told that there was a lot more shorebirds at the Farm Rd pond than last time I was there. On my way home, I went by, and behold! Shorebirds!!!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fdxCq7gRdM4eIlGFzdWzpF-_1VWfg3QJMTDyhpwIvvmkwsKxSsd7VUj73D3nISVhIW5x4-r1cbJZjF2dZRSTr-iB2O_qL5cW2apsWpCGqMnDQjHAkBEfugUXzh6Q_OhLoA3__Ss5ZezK/s1600/Blog1Birding+and+camping+173.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499539578415921298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fdxCq7gRdM4eIlGFzdWzpF-_1VWfg3QJMTDyhpwIvvmkwsKxSsd7VUj73D3nISVhIW5x4-r1cbJZjF2dZRSTr-iB2O_qL5cW2apsWpCGqMnDQjHAkBEfugUXzh6Q_OhLoA3__Ss5ZezK/s400/Blog1Birding+and+camping+173.JPG" /></a>There was a lot!! About 30 or so! </div><div> </div><div><strong>15 Long-billed Dowitchers </strong>(above)</div><div><strong>3 Greater Yellowlegs</strong></div><div><strong>8 Lesser Yellowlegs</strong></div><div><strong>3 Semipalmated Sandpipers</strong></div><div>5 Killdeer</div><div>2 Least Sandpipers</div><div>and one Spotted Sandpiper</div><div> </div><div>The first 4 listed were yearbirds!! Woohoo that makes 195</div><div> </div><div>I walked up closer to the pond all stealthy like a ninja and attempted to get some good Shorebird photos :)<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ph2AxyDhkEtyloaimO60gJwl983uUl28zsf_XIpRUYFGFiDR_12o9IWxki0zIsZpDKCjUvtJQiwqyHQEsFpaiyJRPo4yCJQzNdf2qwqMDjEVBK9z6lgESH71vLN-qpYQvrvx6RZy9-0P/s1600/Blog1Birding+and+camping+194.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499539566485346962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ph2AxyDhkEtyloaimO60gJwl983uUl28zsf_XIpRUYFGFiDR_12o9IWxki0zIsZpDKCjUvtJQiwqyHQEsFpaiyJRPo4yCJQzNdf2qwqMDjEVBK9z6lgESH71vLN-qpYQvrvx6RZy9-0P/s400/Blog1Birding+and+camping+194.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p>3 Long-billed Dowitchers and a Least Sandpiper pictured.</p><p>What a great day! I really do miss birding, and I am really really really glad I am getting back into the swing of things!!</p>JoshChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062475856301025745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-74523494951617334692010-07-23T15:55:00.007-06:002010-07-23T16:44:44.964-06:00And It Has Begun, The Birds that wander the Shore<em>I have been hearing news of it, but I was unsure if it was true. Could it be? It seems too early for it to start, or at least for here. </em><br /><br /><em></em><br /><br /><em>I was optimistic and had to go see for myself.</em><br /><br /><em></em><br /><br />Sad part is that I needed an excuse to go out birding this time. I had to go pick up something in Bigfork, and made a birding trip out of it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497225788820266578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TNT6FhOYZJSBS7mWGpTRzKf6Vm3-Y6zxsBWuTrhhQxQ4n4eN3DEY4mZJ-b12JJRm_8hSBb-6hLsfc1IJi_TChjW8KLdML7mmWUMCKUXwTFjwgGdCfvDyOKDcivtFL6vTovP4ZYY_QXyI/s400/BlogBirding+014.JPG" /><br /><br />Many Brewer's Blackbirds along the various back roads out here. Also, a few geese just hanging around in the fields.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG0Gn6f1iopQDaW7S1PRD1eOkUjKahdpc1hrO9-CkVvGK_zJrt0SjVkIFXP3nPlCcEO3HLKnto58jDXkHslGwHgWUd37dtIhxQXZR00Km75j8Ay3xXJ8WRY-hiBh2Fnl924LURq-hvXks/s1600/BlogBirding+027.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 284px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497225781713560210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG0Gn6f1iopQDaW7S1PRD1eOkUjKahdpc1hrO9-CkVvGK_zJrt0SjVkIFXP3nPlCcEO3HLKnto58jDXkHslGwHgWUd37dtIhxQXZR00Km75j8Ay3xXJ8WRY-hiBh2Fnl924LURq-hvXks/s400/BlogBirding+027.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5tXpeAIvqGwKFnTdYXUQ9DOWmTnLIiXVlJOpo1-k88nPARNrfYXBw0jTNBmksvgi2V87lMHdJLsUr1WaPI4sfBjb29ls5utpqe8VUM6X2Ep3SLrFsyJK5T8QXfG6dCc7PHuJvuNFRdyI/s1600/BlogBirding+061.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497225772336702338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5tXpeAIvqGwKFnTdYXUQ9DOWmTnLIiXVlJOpo1-k88nPARNrfYXBw0jTNBmksvgi2V87lMHdJLsUr1WaPI4sfBjb29ls5utpqe8VUM6X2Ep3SLrFsyJK5T8QXfG6dCc7PHuJvuNFRdyI/s400/BlogBirding+061.JPG" /></a>Montford Road pond (above) is getting more and more .... gross, but the water level is going down. That is good for August birding adventures. On the other section of the pond not pictured above, a very odd bird was hiding and I didn't see it until it flew up. A single <strong>AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN</strong>!! What the .....? That is a weird and good find for the valley!!! WOOHOO!<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXP72t4ETSg4PBvylIG7YvT3fmOPzOECwjLBdkrXpqdfTH-3ukOCcxuPA6T9mYDNWjD_DT1oz_ji9hMTAJ16VOTd7lcspyn0XKwaMRKGt6cy61KUUgUfj9IRs-3_RARZKWR3fD-Xum7P4/s1600/BlogBirding+036.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 195px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497225761643124706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXP72t4ETSg4PBvylIG7YvT3fmOPzOECwjLBdkrXpqdfTH-3ukOCcxuPA6T9mYDNWjD_DT1oz_ji9hMTAJ16VOTd7lcspyn0XKwaMRKGt6cy61KUUgUfj9IRs-3_RARZKWR3fD-Xum7P4/s400/BlogBirding+036.JPG" /></a>First pelican of the year! 190th ABA bird for 2010</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Cinnamon Teal, a large family of Ruddy Ducks, many American Coots, Marsh Wrens and a single Great Blue Heron also were making a living here on the pond.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFP69Hfyx2p8hbUV510K14rpWpF4wMiuuz-_SeXMsMhKs26zU_iM00XcVlR_qO_CM1VfA56_TtbgoNy2TL3oDsQi668wJFZBmE8TV7WAU-4zbVNiTfoLyBBxMjRJjElZcohYaxtz_6pyw/s1600/BlogBirding+109.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497224772765399778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFP69Hfyx2p8hbUV510K14rpWpF4wMiuuz-_SeXMsMhKs26zU_iM00XcVlR_qO_CM1VfA56_TtbgoNy2TL3oDsQi668wJFZBmE8TV7WAU-4zbVNiTfoLyBBxMjRJjElZcohYaxtz_6pyw/s400/BlogBirding+109.JPG" /></a> - Red-tailed Hawks are very common in the valley.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidVZQJf8yG-k5LP7VF9EEuotGo0FDp7B-YIFPbtMrroJt4LVq-60PPQHE0mZBL86jf80FDfs35Yjf7OmQlInZP-ft2hEj8jfmEJ5cTIxzZEcdGcd1M8VUZhPyYNGS2H2UvbsZVPblSItN/s1600/BlogBirding+116.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497224760111212130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidVZQJf8yG-k5LP7VF9EEuotGo0FDp7B-YIFPbtMrroJt4LVq-60PPQHE0mZBL86jf80FDfs35Yjf7OmQlInZP-ft2hEj8jfmEJ5cTIxzZEcdGcd1M8VUZhPyYNGS2H2UvbsZVPblSItN/s400/BlogBirding+116.JPG" /></a> The next pond didn't really have much new at all, but did have a good amount of Clay-colored Sparrows in the bushes!! Sweet birds! I really like Clay-coloreds.</div><div> </div><div>LOWER VALLEY: On to SPLIT POND. In the past, it has been the best pond to view shorebird in August. On the 22nd of July...not so much.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTfzhY9HwKetV5uqNgATmgPgMrX_TCo6xJcAyTZb-ztUOOaSAGIMgsQaaR2ku4R-cjx4U2Sn0zyk2tUD9gyaSlDbgCKhYy8rCYPbocQfQbiYlPXxoi_BuNnTH27kja-1lnUo9Wimn3zEp/s1600/BlogBirding+239.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497224749761803058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTfzhY9HwKetV5uqNgATmgPgMrX_TCo6xJcAyTZb-ztUOOaSAGIMgsQaaR2ku4R-cjx4U2Sn0zyk2tUD9gyaSlDbgCKhYy8rCYPbocQfQbiYlPXxoi_BuNnTH27kja-1lnUo9Wimn3zEp/s400/BlogBirding+239.JPG" /></a> There was, however, Yellow-headed Blackbirds as usual. Red-winged Blackbirds, Redheads, Common Goldeneye, Mallards, Bank and Tree Swallows were also just hangin' round.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjP044XII8gjAh48BaUATynUhTab_WqRQcKpyo9S1X2p7AzQ-Pha76xPt5g75aGKhFDS0ltruij61ubsLtNKapbIbP-_IR3_BjAlkniCR7Fqsu5KDjAzMola04eHETEEYuMc8AZMD2P-b_/s1600/BlogBirding+177.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497224741304703714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjP044XII8gjAh48BaUATynUhTab_WqRQcKpyo9S1X2p7AzQ-Pha76xPt5g75aGKhFDS0ltruij61ubsLtNKapbIbP-_IR3_BjAlkniCR7Fqsu5KDjAzMola04eHETEEYuMc8AZMD2P-b_/s400/BlogBirding+177.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XeqqkI49ydHm6khCC4_-wwB0HDoFWlJ4Qf3TRFIAdPqsBqKtGzeuEp-PLXuIKg0oQq-b8czQ_C2sfvEHbq1kqainXHi-bB6uatis8q5pgdEA2tkkEE8aTzmi7LSn8Otm5hsMmh1XQEOU/s1600/BlogBirding+224.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 273px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497224726027987074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XeqqkI49ydHm6khCC4_-wwB0HDoFWlJ4Qf3TRFIAdPqsBqKtGzeuEp-PLXuIKg0oQq-b8czQ_C2sfvEHbq1kqainXHi-bB6uatis8q5pgdEA2tkkEE8aTzmi7LSn8Otm5hsMmh1XQEOU/s400/BlogBirding+224.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p>Next was the pond along Farm Rd. FINALLY! some mudflats along the edge of the pond! 4 or 5 Killdeer, 2 actual Deer in the background and a Turkey Vulture flying around....and wait...PEEPS! (birder slang for Sandpipers) After a long study of them, far away and in the wind, I came to the conclusion I need to read up on my shorebirds. I'm a bit rusty. </p><p>Least Sandpipers, 3 of them, along with a Spotted Sandpiper! Great stuff! The Least Sandpiper is my 191st yearbird.</p><p><em>It was true. Still a bit early, but it has begun, the birds that wander the shore have begun to fly. Fly south on there twice-yearly journey - migration.</em></p>JoshChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062475856301025745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-87120031658540732162010-07-23T14:14:00.005-06:002010-07-23T16:30:20.411-06:00A Light Touch of Boreal BirdsHELLO everyone! It has been a while, but I really am getting out and seeing birds!<br /><br />Visiting family from out-of-town is always fun. It's even better when you get to see birds while being with your family! My little cousin and my uncle joined my dad and sister for a half-day hike up to the ridge along Mt. Aeneas.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497201773615489394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHoiQvELZoSgH1U9_540KwY2Id7Lfbsv-qA6iy3ZSYQOV1GgWFKTf8mIqNJaJeMwcVt9NI26Ms_JW4DvuhY1dWAgXrVmPqiDMiZvqL8Hxgwx7krNQG5e50HFqJVHa4eKqyPO3W52NpCLg/s400/FBHiking+Mt.+Aeneas+057.JPG" /><br />I love the high alpine atmosphere. Just something about it, it's just amazing. The birds there are amazing too. Just amazing.<br /><br /><strong>Hermit Thrush</strong>!! First yearbird of the day! Varied and Swainson's Thrushes were also singing all over the mountain side.<br /><br />After hiking up part of the trail, listening to MacGillivray's Warblers, Fox Sparrows and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, the trail levels of on a overlook of the moraine that the parking lot is in. As we stood and admired the view, a flock of 20 White-winged Crossbills flew over! That was cool!<br /><br />...I do love that song. Pine Grosbeak, one of my favorite songs ever. WAIT!? <strong>Pine Grosbeak</strong>! Next yearbird! Unfortunately, like the Hermit Thrush, I did not see this bird. Listening to it sing is almost as good though!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497201782190220066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSI15uRD8tqO2PNmkKAgnXXXQvElj9B5j57Ts-JIRKawiw-JeJkZiivWjiRDq33wf2Icus5Ojqd4NkRHV4btlWJKY1S_MnRNHI8ziGJ2MrSG8E-t6wJU15XNaqeLXeTOI_y-NlanpqjfT/s400/FBHiking+Mt.+Aeneas+148.JPG" /><br />The Microwave Relay Building on the ridge. Owned and operated by Bresnan Cable, which my dad works for!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497201793358289010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6ZZTF6Lhl38lrcC7fYSsXQoF8ZD1w3wjFkYPNUiNJgUdL_dFE1g6e-F4JJ57uujCsViak67KMLlpbCaR7mGnhsWKVTpG8i1zVLySMOB2hRoKlCeDzAWJYZs26q3xhC6R5i-kuyuVkVx3/s400/FBHiking+Mt.+Aeneas+172.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497201798490269554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKsw1RBoHgK87sJOeCrWbPp993As-RK3lHwibSwhEtHzP1yYUkudvG6prdhZ_-J1gb7wTpegMG8kvwZ9ahUiU4kd0pEjqZVLFMzQwZQ6cksgenVtE8ATBjOKNUbfHq2KvF-WK_ene7GJg/s400/FBHiking+Mt.+Aeneas+189.JPG" /><br />Everything seems to look stronger up here. The trees and flowers have to fight to survive up that high.<br /><br />On the way down, I heard some nestlings peeping like crazy, and saw a woodpecker form fly away down the mountain. The nest was in a large burned area so I camped out right in front of the nest to see if it belonged to a species of "special interest".<br /><br />While waiting for the parents to return, I was visited by 3 Olive-sided Flycatchers! I absolutely LOVE those birds! My favorite <em>Tyrannus </em>Flycatcher yet! Then, not too long after they left, 2 <strong>BLACK SWIFTS</strong> flew on by!!! WHOA! yearbird! I really wish I could have gotten a better look at them though. They are such amazing birds...<br /><br />AH HA! The mystery woodpeckers have returned! ... Not as "exciting" as I would have hoped but Hairy Woodpeckers are still fun!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497201808152783938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1-NpmYb8RpDrqClbkL3Gz5vbkx9rI2_DuO_EiAKyxSNVmmfpeKUw9OQRGpQJPx3Mc6LnuclcSg7QvmlX3mmcs0swnhgS28dnfq3l9-BoOu1jyaBXzJJ-CwU_R6CAUBWcEZOZUObAXxho/s400/FBHiking+Mt.+Aeneas+250.JPG" /> Hiking back down the trail, looking forward to a nice cold Arizona Tea, I heard an odd chickadee call. GAHH! <strong>BOREAL CHICKADEE</strong>!! Only one problem...I didn't get to see it! I really wanted to see it! Oh well, I guess I have plenty of years to see more. That was the last yearbird of the day. Bringing my ABA yearlist to 189<br /><br />There was many butterflies along the way, and I managed to get some shots of 3 species. All a very similar shade of orange...odd.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497204433572199090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHg3T01dMjSfVx2cPMUKq3ORZq1DoKwx2bUSYGzqAsuJDK2vXMw_eKlZba0K9kwkeIJ323o5spYon-MOe2U7wugZxhuy-8u9-0MU6Y5IS2jhNSEiI6wZKRJwqNcfGGcVO1ZyegaApqCnl/s400/FBHiking+Mt.+Aeneas+296.JPG" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0oi3tG96HTQ-9xFpDCLTbmrLZCFVAzAjmPjGA4Gay90s7UAyXDHEuXPUHQwoA9S3HBKUr-2f8ZW0UxLFTg-jQY0H0zZS6dAJPi3Mtss8iKtx9j1_XQ8lZ6FSodAiTDqbnkbYJmyT3iS7/s1600/FBHiking+Mt.+Aeneas+275.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497202319975091586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0oi3tG96HTQ-9xFpDCLTbmrLZCFVAzAjmPjGA4Gay90s7UAyXDHEuXPUHQwoA9S3HBKUr-2f8ZW0UxLFTg-jQY0H0zZS6dAJPi3Mtss8iKtx9j1_XQ8lZ6FSodAiTDqbnkbYJmyT3iS7/s400/FBHiking+Mt.+Aeneas+275.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4jKNH2Ksbzd_1KJTTy2OuXzvYJiSF23A85YbkkajXGVcAvbKK3-9C77GPfQHvvEgtk6GkkZ24AdspjtJG7xFdKuy-BSMGaE0XBJcy_CQcrtosywuUV__k42eYxHteFNt5UHQPonNuaxO/s1600/FBHiking+Mt.+Aeneas+265.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497202313275216226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4jKNH2Ksbzd_1KJTTy2OuXzvYJiSF23A85YbkkajXGVcAvbKK3-9C77GPfQHvvEgtk6GkkZ24AdspjtJG7xFdKuy-BSMGaE0XBJcy_CQcrtosywuUV__k42eYxHteFNt5UHQPonNuaxO/s400/FBHiking+Mt.+Aeneas+265.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><p>I hope to get out and do more birding soon!!! </p>JoshChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062475856301025745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-64885806015828121552010-07-07T19:09:00.007-06:002010-07-23T16:31:27.102-06:00Local Spots To Pass The Time<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491337952371841954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1b-TpjQbQhZDpz4BWZSQ2le_m_TofWYJCwW1_Pxt0CzHfkvLKmKTAU8JgeBE2CdRSAIdHD7iLqrTrTcwdGqwmkyWI8aJOIK2TSFlAlVCP7VjjKX-QrZKMv-RjResVNTBltdG2YckGzMsW/s400/BlogBirding+052.JPG" /><br />Finally got out and went BIRDING!!!<br /><br />I just did a little loop of 3 wetlands today and found some cool stuff.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491338188598295618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0d_zZRBiwXIKqbfbCfmiPA8T8MN1RntHj7hRKFYCkouYid8nVigV_tjyIFXYYblRY3l1Ogj8ZTE3RW4DhB4aAym_TFtt491PNzYB9s8JX7u43rPa9wsi7vIAfjLtma3d-KyQulYkwJ2Gn/s400/BlogBirding+042.JPG" /><br />The first marsh is on Fairview Crossroad, thus named Fairview Marsh. Here I found AT LEAST 12 <strong>Black Terns</strong>!! The most I have ever seen in one spot in Montana. Other birds around were Red-necked Grebes, Eared Grebes, Cinnamon Teal, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and Common Yellowthroats....the usual marsh crew.<br /><br />The fields held large amounts of Savannah Sparrows. Singing all day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Nm20EkspMaMyTcnrkh7JfyJKhIaw4XPMm92A3Bqyr-u1jJ6IRxAWmnhWqJbKLd5dRkS12ytWj0b3P3cwvfYHEzzmsGX9PGaA8_jaRuSkyWYuQAJcH2GdGOl0SuYyR8i2v1VmqBbCQT0T/s1600/BlogBirding+030.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491337972375514642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Nm20EkspMaMyTcnrkh7JfyJKhIaw4XPMm92A3Bqyr-u1jJ6IRxAWmnhWqJbKLd5dRkS12ytWj0b3P3cwvfYHEzzmsGX9PGaA8_jaRuSkyWYuQAJcH2GdGOl0SuYyR8i2v1VmqBbCQT0T/s400/BlogBirding+030.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGyL4iqxtuL_2Qs2FdciVANOriD964nko8rY0EJN_DIgB12yCfKgk0uvDPwfcGJ3PxzzawT6hk7xo0F3bVf6xxUiph4V12eZPy0_nL-P-4UYubU1BYJCJXUYRMUxyjj0fQMuxVZewNLct/s1600/BlogBirding+049.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491337960343389778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGyL4iqxtuL_2Qs2FdciVANOriD964nko8rY0EJN_DIgB12yCfKgk0uvDPwfcGJ3PxzzawT6hk7xo0F3bVf6xxUiph4V12eZPy0_nL-P-4UYubU1BYJCJXUYRMUxyjj0fQMuxVZewNLct/s400/BlogBirding+049.JPG" /></a>Next on the list was Montford Road Pond.</div><div></div><div><div>- Brewer's Blackbird panting<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aBzk5sDVGAPH56JZpxwH2gJU7-WOusTfXnCYy9jUore02DCv4giy_y5t5MNOopH7-xHLcgJ8HOGwc7mzZwnsob8iAVRTIiStHu2wi36edfdXdV9vZvLO_0H203nk9w5SpSU60NsmdRoP/s1600/BlogBirding+089.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491337939813989602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aBzk5sDVGAPH56JZpxwH2gJU7-WOusTfXnCYy9jUore02DCv4giy_y5t5MNOopH7-xHLcgJ8HOGwc7mzZwnsob8iAVRTIiStHu2wi36edfdXdV9vZvLO_0H203nk9w5SpSU60NsmdRoP/s400/BlogBirding+089.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliLtcwyTUCFBrKuhwr2-CcAhHpL4sT6572HUbfvUz8cQGssdTGyv770HKALuWnvlk6RMnvB-H9OoOLpwPG8Gky48e2uns5Q-o5x0O5hu4_tGAUkhnFdxixx5Eqt0sHHt3jsiqDvXAV1uJ/s1600/BlogBirding+102.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491337933112074066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliLtcwyTUCFBrKuhwr2-CcAhHpL4sT6572HUbfvUz8cQGssdTGyv770HKALuWnvlk6RMnvB-H9OoOLpwPG8Gky48e2uns5Q-o5x0O5hu4_tGAUkhnFdxixx5Eqt0sHHt3jsiqDvXAV1uJ/s400/BlogBirding+102.JPG" /></a>This really scummy pond had several families of American Coots as well as a family of Ruddy Ducks, and Cinnamon Teal. The Teal were actually diving completely underwater. They didn't stay down there very long but it was a new behavior I have never seen before.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-YDnmnV_rW83XKHyC-PBEkOU5I36mL2DY7t9HPs9EWjC9eWwxGfIeD34vZtrnOiahAlF_3mhGvuQ1YxZT8MHnfzwUNo1IGidbMjPt79OItpD4w4MeZ7zQCI_ElJYj3OJg1tAZkeNf-1i/s1600/BlogBirding+131.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491337259422820898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-YDnmnV_rW83XKHyC-PBEkOU5I36mL2DY7t9HPs9EWjC9eWwxGfIeD34vZtrnOiahAlF_3mhGvuQ1YxZT8MHnfzwUNo1IGidbMjPt79OItpD4w4MeZ7zQCI_ElJYj3OJg1tAZkeNf-1i/s400/BlogBirding+131.JPG" /></a>Anyone good with dragonflies???? </div><div></div><div>This one looks really cool... </div><div></div><div>(edit) Many thanks to Chuck Carlson for the ID to this dragon: A "Twelve-spotted Skimmer"<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4P2PgmhjrPjowcXFUJcOcF5ZgW12eYKpwpn4a2ic2Qe4qJSv8J2n09Gq5-55HjQTTG2sthK3cyxxO1oDYGscYQgGUGLh-3ZKIAO0znkvyIchPa_rgoSMHMgMX3groO_-3clSf-Wam5GDg/s1600/BlogBirding+194.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491337252671446082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4P2PgmhjrPjowcXFUJcOcF5ZgW12eYKpwpn4a2ic2Qe4qJSv8J2n09Gq5-55HjQTTG2sthK3cyxxO1oDYGscYQgGUGLh-3ZKIAO0znkvyIchPa_rgoSMHMgMX3groO_-3clSf-Wam5GDg/s400/BlogBirding+194.JPG" /></a></div><div>No ID for this one...I am still looking.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrYUgEakagcDctOLJaeaV5_07xqmMU4V_9b-ixHLkxmAcrbKaFDDQVRfptTuepz33nbN7BBeHa4SDC0N-9XGFIBmBapNx21eKZybFDIjShQRphgg2XPAXil_RYqx0UTr4cGvIb3cbq94O/s1600/BlogBirding+207.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491337245351074306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrYUgEakagcDctOLJaeaV5_07xqmMU4V_9b-ixHLkxmAcrbKaFDDQVRfptTuepz33nbN7BBeHa4SDC0N-9XGFIBmBapNx21eKZybFDIjShQRphgg2XPAXil_RYqx0UTr4cGvIb3cbq94O/s400/BlogBirding+207.JPG" /></a> - Red-tailed Hawk<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvabO9L83QeO_zVh0NEChGVCCgAbzPVK-F9gszmXeOf9EhqYhIGvlNGE3RlI2myj7lulFaqW2XmZwKMPxx-KMkAdIXt7XlnkwdfTMRtVCxz87S5-PwxGgwbqf20zkCY-6VmSqFW_zqj9cH/s1600/BlogBirding+240.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491337233035374866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvabO9L83QeO_zVh0NEChGVCCgAbzPVK-F9gszmXeOf9EhqYhIGvlNGE3RlI2myj7lulFaqW2XmZwKMPxx-KMkAdIXt7XlnkwdfTMRtVCxz87S5-PwxGgwbqf20zkCY-6VmSqFW_zqj9cH/s400/BlogBirding+240.JPG" /></a>The last pond was on....well I seem to have forgotten the name of the road it was on, but I got a yearbird! BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD. Surprising I have went 7 months without seeing one here.</div><div></div><div>- Song Sparrow<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuF4hKPjyIG0GIVUCE7rFiBzVGwoQxKIsckT0oGbAB75dNo3XU2gYlkuZXg8vsRt-uWufowj4NN_G4avEL8fdsvn_PvfhTIyCpyAfDeMidB0ClMLsbOHR-FW-zQXBFyjsqaDa17kBXmc54/s1600/BlogBirding+252.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491337222753910610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuF4hKPjyIG0GIVUCE7rFiBzVGwoQxKIsckT0oGbAB75dNo3XU2gYlkuZXg8vsRt-uWufowj4NN_G4avEL8fdsvn_PvfhTIyCpyAfDeMidB0ClMLsbOHR-FW-zQXBFyjsqaDa17kBXmc54/s400/BlogBirding+252.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br />The Hummingbird brings my total yearlist to 185.....sad. I need to get out more!!JoshChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062475856301025745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-56044961730000780022010-07-07T15:19:00.004-06:002010-07-07T15:26:59.025-06:00Ovenbird!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUb7_gcAWtgXewqixGBczNYZoESK_18ZhnbrQECkkJ2OIXl3J5hgRLJAe8VinIeaddeBbFHtHRsyToMDtDyiaIAwEox5Y3YWQIs0nu3mthc7dT24rpvtGmTAnCmCR6vsPOzrAPviBR8Gw0/s1600/FBsnowboardin-rafting+297.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491277552380055682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUb7_gcAWtgXewqixGBczNYZoESK_18ZhnbrQECkkJ2OIXl3J5hgRLJAe8VinIeaddeBbFHtHRsyToMDtDyiaIAwEox5Y3YWQIs0nu3mthc7dT24rpvtGmTAnCmCR6vsPOzrAPviBR8Gw0/s400/FBsnowboardin-rafting+297.JPG" /></a> Rafting. Epic.<br /><br />Even more epic? Rafting and finding an OVENBIRD!!<br /><br />My best friends and I rafted a stretch of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River from Moccasin Creek to the West Glacier river access on JUNE 26th. Amazing trip with class 3+ whitewater rapids!!<br /><br />At the "pull-out" in West Glacier I heard another Tennessee Warbler singing...then shortly after I heard an OVENBIRD!! I tracked it down and got my "life look" at this bird, or the best look at one I have had yet!<br /><br />Great new Yearbird!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yWFszwj2OVFxBT52sZNVlxUV72qBFmYaHCPGSNl6MN6pTrT6M_eFrIXcYGAPBRGFhr4WhBzv7EI9sVLEeleV4kVFv-TJUGZvK6UoWWWV1Hzhk4RAEu0FsLoRZNjwUvFGPlFBVv0MvaAH/s1600/MOBsnowboardin-rafting+416.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491277545263736738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yWFszwj2OVFxBT52sZNVlxUV72qBFmYaHCPGSNl6MN6pTrT6M_eFrIXcYGAPBRGFhr4WhBzv7EI9sVLEeleV4kVFv-TJUGZvK6UoWWWV1Hzhk4RAEu0FsLoRZNjwUvFGPlFBVv0MvaAH/s400/MOBsnowboardin-rafting+416.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLBmhJGp2l6_HRd-6EWaM0aObevhCkoWniviLMK2MYL3mlyNU3LTguhbp7VMQoJbWeQqCzFCy2Pt03yoObcGhCuhonZ2XIMnA-GOGvtQGt2jXqGLwREiRyH0ChtvGBkxLViGv1C6pd_Gp/s1600/MOBsnowboardin-rafting+417.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491277539419501682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLBmhJGp2l6_HRd-6EWaM0aObevhCkoWniviLMK2MYL3mlyNU3LTguhbp7VMQoJbWeQqCzFCy2Pt03yoObcGhCuhonZ2XIMnA-GOGvtQGt2jXqGLwREiRyH0ChtvGBkxLViGv1C6pd_Gp/s400/MOBsnowboardin-rafting+417.JPG" /></a></div>JoshChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062475856301025745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-5299585834228109142010-07-07T14:07:00.005-06:002010-07-07T15:17:36.182-06:00Summertime Views<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYg-raMshNyp5tOwm18kkj6XaQY49U20n3862z1jp6KgujjF5wk-CPsSkIX4EmZf2FBifZFv2aQYaxy8qsX5MXnGNHyPMnRdbP7cgzom4oLWXIk4kOb_Rpd7s2VbAqovsI28ECSSwtO-Ag/s1600/FBsnowboardin-rafting+334.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491262443873669154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYg-raMshNyp5tOwm18kkj6XaQY49U20n3862z1jp6KgujjF5wk-CPsSkIX4EmZf2FBifZFv2aQYaxy8qsX5MXnGNHyPMnRdbP7cgzom4oLWXIk4kOb_Rpd7s2VbAqovsI28ECSSwtO-Ag/s400/FBsnowboardin-rafting+334.JPG" /></a>Well I haven't been out birding much lately... actually at all! I am hoping to change that soon though :)<br /><br />Here are some cool sunset and vista pictures I have acquired over the last month.<br /><br />Hope you enjoy!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-OkWFK4xGhIWbrDwN84LU1OfdI1uUQMsnR9BcKwBiEVaCueo_2QCfe7u7WgG4nm3R9hVZVYWuWc23vZvxuh7v2o1oH5yBFG1MByiPYYOiG5_TsJycFET_iPNq6369qnWM5khIdbf2VvR/s1600/FBsnowboardin-rafting+219.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491262438093681346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-OkWFK4xGhIWbrDwN84LU1OfdI1uUQMsnR9BcKwBiEVaCueo_2QCfe7u7WgG4nm3R9hVZVYWuWc23vZvxuh7v2o1oH5yBFG1MByiPYYOiG5_TsJycFET_iPNq6369qnWM5khIdbf2VvR/s400/FBsnowboardin-rafting+219.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98240SVTJsJCaVwyqvJJxAtYsXyB8rE5uYsACjkXYoYvhETXwZOCYBwckN-HAMM4GFs0MAajdg-oZK4sRur4C6Jx9_539E88s28emzR7xaO2eB_8x1VvPOR2xSlwuNdtdsANqRG923JNs/s1600/FBsnowboardin-rafting+126.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491262422117000466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98240SVTJsJCaVwyqvJJxAtYsXyB8rE5uYsACjkXYoYvhETXwZOCYBwckN-HAMM4GFs0MAajdg-oZK4sRur4C6Jx9_539E88s28emzR7xaO2eB_8x1VvPOR2xSlwuNdtdsANqRG923JNs/s400/FBsnowboardin-rafting+126.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyga8pxkJs9Glsp6G3droZG98k3NbH8muXTOp6GYXWZAyV8xKLf5YnWcjlFHqmJTgpFcC6B8bNSIYkB1TtayCBvK4qoHAOO03DS28SIPGKJNSxT8oGJ8Iowu9Wkzd3Godode2WL7m1YHU/s1600/FBsnowboardin-rafting+059.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491261320502188818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyga8pxkJs9Glsp6G3droZG98k3NbH8muXTOp6GYXWZAyV8xKLf5YnWcjlFHqmJTgpFcC6B8bNSIYkB1TtayCBvK4qoHAOO03DS28SIPGKJNSxT8oGJ8Iowu9Wkzd3Godode2WL7m1YHU/s400/FBsnowboardin-rafting+059.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FyogXoWRlDJZvVJBnJjO87yQWDojDJ9THuAB4z6B-9nUUH9X_2f8HxLGd3NEcPHI7Kbij6X4_ABAcMxtztXq-JIBWEb9U6pK_g9OPv2Rt2Kn4PdPENb7F5Jnc7y1Kffng1E3dIkCKPNZ/s1600/FBsnowboardin-rafting+039.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491261309736457778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FyogXoWRlDJZvVJBnJjO87yQWDojDJ9THuAB4z6B-9nUUH9X_2f8HxLGd3NEcPHI7Kbij6X4_ABAcMxtztXq-JIBWEb9U6pK_g9OPv2Rt2Kn4PdPENb7F5Jnc7y1Kffng1E3dIkCKPNZ/s400/FBsnowboardin-rafting+039.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyEkgGMQhtRltq7sDesrUclGmq-Mn6GICaJ3HSZgYwyGw6BYW95AiY9Q-PTGssEFHh0nrDer3qEGvOGeQb3MRjVvw57hmbz1fpR0YAS39AVOnmtIDdDxnBhs2TDw8N7ur0xiqRZqy4q_7/s1600/FBSunsets+118.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 284px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491261298068863938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyEkgGMQhtRltq7sDesrUclGmq-Mn6GICaJ3HSZgYwyGw6BYW95AiY9Q-PTGssEFHh0nrDer3qEGvOGeQb3MRjVvw57hmbz1fpR0YAS39AVOnmtIDdDxnBhs2TDw8N7ur0xiqRZqy4q_7/s400/FBSunsets+118.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpiphKmznNQRU2c-9U3WUvKRNzJaWJj280WQXPYsbturlT8pr1_tBKn7BYG8cum5uBpojG5YF9gSG1lwrU52ilSftxfuR2v51amxmL_eCNSDMzOLP82vT-30gzOcOcI-vGjkM9WX4TJhw/s1600/FB_Elena's+Cabin+-+Graduation+844.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491261289722024354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpiphKmznNQRU2c-9U3WUvKRNzJaWJj280WQXPYsbturlT8pr1_tBKn7BYG8cum5uBpojG5YF9gSG1lwrU52ilSftxfuR2v51amxmL_eCNSDMzOLP82vT-30gzOcOcI-vGjkM9WX4TJhw/s400/FB_Elena's+Cabin+-+Graduation+844.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FMNxjrLe00Hxg9WthiGgQU7XFycBHOcfiTVnvpwE2UFFzhM09v9OIS4d4636oRtiCg1z1F4JJ4LcRNTH8YnOJO1vMfMfvhlCbl_rnZYaavmjmJMdlyEvKOrScTrwdKsBHxcrVkauVlY9/s1600/FB_Elena's+Cabin+-+Graduation+835.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491261280500074658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FMNxjrLe00Hxg9WthiGgQU7XFycBHOcfiTVnvpwE2UFFzhM09v9OIS4d4636oRtiCg1z1F4JJ4LcRNTH8YnOJO1vMfMfvhlCbl_rnZYaavmjmJMdlyEvKOrScTrwdKsBHxcrVkauVlY9/s400/FB_Elena's+Cabin+-+Graduation+835.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div>JoshChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062475856301025745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-89853473203666699902010-06-19T19:01:00.004-06:002010-06-19T19:15:16.543-06:00Tennessee Warbler and a Dusky Grouse momentFriday, my friends and I went to look around Glacier National Park for fun. We drove up to where Avalanche Creek meets McDonald Creek, and believe it or not....I got to see a TENNESSEE WARBLER!!! It was singing a shortened version of its song, very similar to a Wilson's Warbler which I thought I was looking for!<br /><br />This is Dan Casey's AMAZING digiscoped shot of the Tennessee at Tally Lake, but this is about the SAME view I had at the one in the park!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484656760052372290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-FOow3DPJJNmL8LszajTvkBSHELHFH0MF0H2RNTMzuJ4OU6M0mDiAjjpq8g-r_tN2zdCn_rexYy6OC-sE7liavXtPfjCGmdOY9qSHIhYNJy0MgP3EolQ_xOqo3_qw_keiWc5n-DLwjyS/s400/TEWA+best+Tally.jpg" /><br /><p>Now, several hours later, my friends and I drove up a back round in Big Mountain and we found a displaying DUSKY GROUSE! That was soooo coool to see him display and make that deep booming noise!! </p><p>What a great day of birds!!</p>JoshChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062475856301025745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-82572107187846117182010-06-19T18:14:00.006-06:002010-06-19T19:00:40.664-06:00Tally Lake Warbler Weekend!!!The "Tally Lake WARBLER Weekend" 3rd annual camping trip was this June 11, 12, 13th this year.<br /><br />The local Audubon reserves a section of the campground and we all just hang out and bird leisurely or vigorously depending on when you wake up and what you wanna see.<br /><br />I was in Lewistown for half of the weekend, and I got to the campground around 8pm Saturday. By then, this is how much birding was going on at the moment...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVT-HZNDLxflBpSKGQef-_hoP3-U_T9MQoGMV1Cb_zZiP75PtCo9iR8Gi6YemFG7AH5wfnLpVQtmh2GcAheV6fMfJ2uM4AFCM7mbChjbbP7T57GS09VlySTGVovOA_JyR3VTUHSk4kb6T/s1600/BLogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+470.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484647598535919586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVT-HZNDLxflBpSKGQef-_hoP3-U_T9MQoGMV1Cb_zZiP75PtCo9iR8Gi6YemFG7AH5wfnLpVQtmh2GcAheV6fMfJ2uM4AFCM7mbChjbbP7T57GS09VlySTGVovOA_JyR3VTUHSk4kb6T/s400/BLogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+470.JPG" /></a>Not bad! That evening I did hear a Red-eyed Vireo, which was a yearbird. Also, they had a singing TENNESSEE WARBLER all day and I got to hear it sing many times but we didn't see it :( maybe another time I will get a good look at one. I was pretty bummed but that wouldn't last for long....<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKUgSRbOS2s25PQT4StCdp9-iItFFge7kmpszLn_MqIxVqQDrBWDq70zyDsHm_ozf-Kp29fl4ea2zIYGVQ73rwk5Kb7YvJ9eaPALr4SKi2l0h9VtBATNePE3u0hwGZZDsimW6vjyj64qu/s1600/BlogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+472.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484647586800632386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKUgSRbOS2s25PQT4StCdp9-iItFFge7kmpszLn_MqIxVqQDrBWDq70zyDsHm_ozf-Kp29fl4ea2zIYGVQ73rwk5Kb7YvJ9eaPALr4SKi2l0h9VtBATNePE3u0hwGZZDsimW6vjyj64qu/s400/BlogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+472.JPG" /></a>the Dinner stove....yummy!</div><div> </div><div>I got up at about 5:45ish and the sun peaked up at 6ish or so. </div><div>There was TONS of birds singing!</div><div> </div><div>Yellow</div><div>Yellow-rumped</div><div>MacGillivray's</div><div>Orange-crowned Warblers</div><div> </div><div>American Redstart</div><div>Northern Waterthrush</div><div> </div><div>Dusky</div><div>Hammond's</div><div>Willow Flycatcher</div><div> </div><div>Warbling</div><div>Cassin's Vireo</div><div> </div><div>Chipping Sparrow</div><div>Swainson's Thrush</div><div>Black-headed Grosbeak</div><div>Western Tanager</div><div>and more!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9CBF4dUTEC54M4qyMab9DvWXqmGII2C38qAWqsPuxjLr_hgDwa4PxOqdbVrLiPVfLP7aGlblTnK1FKiD1HD4j_ky2W1-dihk6uJeYnrEkr4R1WeVbuCkffDVdSnoc02G763l9eRoCW-w/s1600/BlogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+503.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484646650908657138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9CBF4dUTEC54M4qyMab9DvWXqmGII2C38qAWqsPuxjLr_hgDwa4PxOqdbVrLiPVfLP7aGlblTnK1FKiD1HD4j_ky2W1-dihk6uJeYnrEkr4R1WeVbuCkffDVdSnoc02G763l9eRoCW-w/s400/BlogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+503.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYjwPXNznppggt4HnGCnNX0bjlusw2BpmG-PVyJcI8kvxuIzYh8i2Muw19qbhYRYZ0XbyguqWr6RYToRvi7eHUVZ2TgrGcQeMat1T-rpx7gChrKNvmkWtiZQNPBaa04v11GSGYfJwI_Se/s1600/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+515.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484646635995131042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYjwPXNznppggt4HnGCnNX0bjlusw2BpmG-PVyJcI8kvxuIzYh8i2Muw19qbhYRYZ0XbyguqWr6RYToRvi7eHUVZ2TgrGcQeMat1T-rpx7gChrKNvmkWtiZQNPBaa04v11GSGYfJwI_Se/s400/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+515.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SvzHRmr7Akrc6m2LBzW29yPeXUb-EPNaUk0TH5gmY_FoufWRaz_bu64mhKIRFAjsgKMYoqtovnIeJn-I3uO4nZ1dru0PYSUKnS8pjrZxkG-W86H5cVt61vL9o-IJXSk518T09TO4ZCkN/s1600/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+520.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484646624652964850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SvzHRmr7Akrc6m2LBzW29yPeXUb-EPNaUk0TH5gmY_FoufWRaz_bu64mhKIRFAjsgKMYoqtovnIeJn-I3uO4nZ1dru0PYSUKnS8pjrZxkG-W86H5cVt61vL9o-IJXSk518T09TO4ZCkN/s400/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+520.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2Lwdmjd2SeFgF0mq278ddSZULd7TkssN6d1FI4SnrSyAbMazM-x6qRh0pkUrfKLg6swN4rOp2WxR56068FEC673qRxVW0AiWzfu5AYjupTfOa6j7I8ZxO_9zGqN2DCJklAjAMxIB8ZQi/s1600/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+537.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484646613223214194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2Lwdmjd2SeFgF0mq278ddSZULd7TkssN6d1FI4SnrSyAbMazM-x6qRh0pkUrfKLg6swN4rOp2WxR56068FEC673qRxVW0AiWzfu5AYjupTfOa6j7I8ZxO_9zGqN2DCJklAjAMxIB8ZQi/s400/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+537.JPG" /></a>The sun breaking in the dew was a great photo opportunity!!!</div><div> </div><div>This Swainson's Thrush posed nicely, but a tad far away<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgmUFhotQgLJwmFEiFB0EG7_KIBc7NdbCoeh2n5Y-eP9TL8MyZhvJv5snGTJ_rGqzxCQQGop5neqfDoLwyhyiBMss11u26qeruDf9zPPhWjySAaXW8wdwqUZVFm4LWc_Y3gTX-KCxJDDp/s1600/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+563.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 264px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484646607457171778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgmUFhotQgLJwmFEiFB0EG7_KIBc7NdbCoeh2n5Y-eP9TL8MyZhvJv5snGTJ_rGqzxCQQGop5neqfDoLwyhyiBMss11u26qeruDf9zPPhWjySAaXW8wdwqUZVFm4LWc_Y3gTX-KCxJDDp/s400/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+563.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnbUWyn8g0reovu94dav7EHIYtM0xuHZ7fazdLqhmjVGbdyQCnV1SkEUXyHOBzRicKyp0ZpmxMz2oy6ukvdtCfy-LRAMyThMrCsUkffyyh8TS1ljv7z_DcBQ_LWu0lhyDeR0IGe3d74uI/s1600/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+575.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484645432964258802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnbUWyn8g0reovu94dav7EHIYtM0xuHZ7fazdLqhmjVGbdyQCnV1SkEUXyHOBzRicKyp0ZpmxMz2oy6ukvdtCfy-LRAMyThMrCsUkffyyh8TS1ljv7z_DcBQ_LWu0lhyDeR0IGe3d74uI/s400/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+575.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9O9muMUXBV_dCxMH30Ev0sjWvSZUbsiIr4DoX5nra_PaF28PvSBeiIpGZyc1VHRgeYzl5Q0iZoQk9R2fMVczv89umPcXQ76IzDM9NxqAumU8wxiGd4KsaB5SB0XLiHgEDOUwlZJownvR/s1600/BlogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+618.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484645423783202834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9O9muMUXBV_dCxMH30Ev0sjWvSZUbsiIr4DoX5nra_PaF28PvSBeiIpGZyc1VHRgeYzl5Q0iZoQk9R2fMVczv89umPcXQ76IzDM9NxqAumU8wxiGd4KsaB5SB0XLiHgEDOUwlZJownvR/s400/BlogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+618.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMinJQyinAuBBV3dNSrfF3zTl0prs-bfrs40iogCjN3BgRKA_hrX6b6QMx3zRrFeLDTN3y8qFRmf0t3xflN0nvTEDFyj3ykTBOVfVpl-anhRWkpGeHr-4LsaciAWSg_HnoYSOyBqsa2Mqr/s1600/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+651.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484645412750034258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMinJQyinAuBBV3dNSrfF3zTl0prs-bfrs40iogCjN3BgRKA_hrX6b6QMx3zRrFeLDTN3y8qFRmf0t3xflN0nvTEDFyj3ykTBOVfVpl-anhRWkpGeHr-4LsaciAWSg_HnoYSOyBqsa2Mqr/s400/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+651.JPG" /></a> - Red-naped Sapsucker</div><div> </div><div>The crew viewing some Willow Flycatchers. It was a fantastic day for birds, and spending good time with friends!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCc_U7B1jKg1Eb7KtmQs54JY5oOe1Vjt_99NZs7Jsdw1MohglyuuJ8Jp-z13TCelZ7vy5dlfGv_Md67ye4GGjcNGvy59ygiy644H5tV9OvGrDbF7Or1cqZAuWBbSsnlFvWzzygOsHSv1y/s1600/BlogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+687.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484645404703250274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCc_U7B1jKg1Eb7KtmQs54JY5oOe1Vjt_99NZs7Jsdw1MohglyuuJ8Jp-z13TCelZ7vy5dlfGv_Md67ye4GGjcNGvy59ygiy644H5tV9OvGrDbF7Or1cqZAuWBbSsnlFvWzzygOsHSv1y/s400/BlogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+687.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlKc9-8sz-TPkJqHgu5_zHVhWyOk6RJJtSC2u8r7_7ypwcSSUvtc_xcWGedHdRKOvYcE6yQ6tMj3H7f0oXMJ1neZ5A9kiOWUAQfXzMqGei5TjaBYlM9IN1ep_4ywkutYlhTl7eJDZ6mVX/s1600/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+695.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484645384706782418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlKc9-8sz-TPkJqHgu5_zHVhWyOk6RJJtSC2u8r7_7ypwcSSUvtc_xcWGedHdRKOvYcE6yQ6tMj3H7f0oXMJ1neZ5A9kiOWUAQfXzMqGei5TjaBYlM9IN1ep_4ywkutYlhTl7eJDZ6mVX/s400/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+695.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlEOGIKFQPLpACRhpk7yIYDc-YJ63dmstesYiRr9dA-ksYNeQHShn0mqkLonRfb4mvdTmbhAW31L6kwjqyv8AvBESOK_3zTIQBMbV_n7GoL-2JyE9IclexPMzUjP1_EWIoYeEuiuNFOLQ/s1600/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+722.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484643656591671442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlEOGIKFQPLpACRhpk7yIYDc-YJ63dmstesYiRr9dA-ksYNeQHShn0mqkLonRfb4mvdTmbhAW31L6kwjqyv8AvBESOK_3zTIQBMbV_n7GoL-2JyE9IclexPMzUjP1_EWIoYeEuiuNFOLQ/s400/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+722.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasotPAy1F5tWdCPtTRjhJA5ox6AMegki1MkXN_syq4ZNQWoa587jbihdguanyiU912SuQnPBjChOJjHdl6gDEvrPSH0zAFTc4hOy0RGomoTJ4E9dNXUWJoffd-KTdcmQPddEvteiKSWoD/s1600/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+741.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484643649726571186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasotPAy1F5tWdCPtTRjhJA5ox6AMegki1MkXN_syq4ZNQWoa587jbihdguanyiU912SuQnPBjChOJjHdl6gDEvrPSH0zAFTc4hOy0RGomoTJ4E9dNXUWJoffd-KTdcmQPddEvteiKSWoD/s400/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+741.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOg7XeogcpAP3ckAiGYqZY4qBHXt6-GtryTYjDs-sIH5J6DnCN0SdBTaiGc5GDwVsgcDBnEX0II9GlnJuFQ0RwPvO4cNotOEfZ-__PlAgxUcinN_XHbcK1x6lWyqwDy_9mXiAX1B-TVu4/s1600/BlogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+752.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484643642068326386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOg7XeogcpAP3ckAiGYqZY4qBHXt6-GtryTYjDs-sIH5J6DnCN0SdBTaiGc5GDwVsgcDBnEX0II9GlnJuFQ0RwPvO4cNotOEfZ-__PlAgxUcinN_XHbcK1x6lWyqwDy_9mXiAX1B-TVu4/s400/BlogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+752.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76-YNwQcu9qHboDEKORcZ8iod1f2h3W1t9CFh-ai-U7wjVulLIgKEsCvpd7nhZAyJvHBVRFPHagV4tHb8T-ty1wjbeBCFddmwWxdU0ItS2wYWRYRF3KE1KIKRiyzynAgkzga_8WLO3Vgw/s1600/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+784.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484643628803118754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76-YNwQcu9qHboDEKORcZ8iod1f2h3W1t9CFh-ai-U7wjVulLIgKEsCvpd7nhZAyJvHBVRFPHagV4tHb8T-ty1wjbeBCFddmwWxdU0ItS2wYWRYRF3KE1KIKRiyzynAgkzga_8WLO3Vgw/s400/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+784.JPG" /></a>(Above Photos - various images from wandering around the area)</div><div> </div><div>Leslie Kehoe and I took a little noon hike and saw some Gray Jays and this little guy!!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRF2gc0E1NcVqicD9OZ8m3KNqN2wFFnVqM8CI5SBxVgCoGZupTNzSj99-t3mgDnSzPo5V8D9qx2bYAitgSLgHbYk4cnhpQJvspd6Uk4mXJB31Lf0qHtJ8HES0-ZY8IqDewrlOSBeYH7Jq0/s1600/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+796.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484643618485830130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRF2gc0E1NcVqicD9OZ8m3KNqN2wFFnVqM8CI5SBxVgCoGZupTNzSj99-t3mgDnSzPo5V8D9qx2bYAitgSLgHbYk4cnhpQJvspd6Uk4mXJB31Lf0qHtJ8HES0-ZY8IqDewrlOSBeYH7Jq0/s400/blogLewistown+Trip+June+2010+796.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />I ended the trip with my yearlist at 180 for the 2010. Not too bad but I am still missing lots and I need an out-of-state trip also!JoshChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062475856301025745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-38841129729347533792010-06-19T17:12:00.007-06:002010-07-08T19:17:52.524-06:00Lewistown and The Nature ConservancyHELLO again!!!<br /><br />I know I have been neglecting my blog and neglecting birding as well. It has been really rough not feeding the primeval instinct to go birding, but now I finally have!<br /><br />Barbara Cozzens, of The Nature Conservancy, invited me to lead a birding trip in Lewistown on June 11th, and of course, I was honored to!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSD5mayYinU4fSelWq2do_09yuRkL9V1c1HcpwVp94l3d6ZqYBeUvCxmzGlUmdIOSTwBHxQ62KI5dDl0aT4W8RT_IRD_Db1XQL0RRmBvJYrZyQshfCciKVOHji0Q7hySo1tfksOfjqWVvH/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+048.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484631560187965538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSD5mayYinU4fSelWq2do_09yuRkL9V1c1HcpwVp94l3d6ZqYBeUvCxmzGlUmdIOSTwBHxQ62KI5dDl0aT4W8RT_IRD_Db1XQL0RRmBvJYrZyQshfCciKVOHji0Q7hySo1tfksOfjqWVvH/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+048.JPG" /></a>My mom and I arrived on the 9th to take Thursday and scout the area for the trip. We saw some good birds along Spring Creek like Willow Flycatcher, Red-naped Sapsucker and Veery but money drove us to spend the majority of the day in town, walking around and looking at the town.<br /><br />Barbara met us for dinner with a few other TNC workers and we had a great time talking all about TNC and birds and all sorts of things. The weather was great that day and we had high hope for the following day.<br /><br />Of course, it was cloudy and rainy.....who'da thunk it...<br /><br />We made the best of the weather and pressed on.<br />Our first stop was at the local fish hatchery, which was actually an incredibly birdy spot!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-9e9EPEifTWsaANX0vXXanfuRUiooETTZ-UJh2VZACyO88ynVBn8CMQfUm1xfr6z1jGkKLlcTSngrr9IJsdk3mEkojlWKbdFcspm-PzqYzh9eSu-qtvPqOJdVsJ5TfLTfizPq6p5l2XP/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+071.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484631548308557698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-9e9EPEifTWsaANX0vXXanfuRUiooETTZ-UJh2VZACyO88ynVBn8CMQfUm1xfr6z1jGkKLlcTSngrr9IJsdk3mEkojlWKbdFcspm-PzqYzh9eSu-qtvPqOJdVsJ5TfLTfizPq6p5l2XP/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+071.JPG" /></a>We had amazing abouts of Western Wood-Pewees, and good numbers of Yellow, and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Brown-headed Cowbirds, and the pewees were the most approachable birds for photos, but I didn't even manage a shot of the pewees.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPJBh7tl9k0bFjQ43D7QkJyV-CeeD8rIASlWEXPLscGo-J0YW-8blL9J4GlIizICxveYKu0g5-UtdEKDPreHMTprR_ydTWvaZQ4g6DTq9Zlma5Fs3YOo0LzXUPG2OkziiBrCPmLXX3m14/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+084.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484631534281283202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPJBh7tl9k0bFjQ43D7QkJyV-CeeD8rIASlWEXPLscGo-J0YW-8blL9J4GlIizICxveYKu0g5-UtdEKDPreHMTprR_ydTWvaZQ4g6DTq9Zlma5Fs3YOo0LzXUPG2OkziiBrCPmLXX3m14/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+084.JPG" /></a>They don't call it a fish hatchery for nothin'!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfopsEblwKJFRnhLmbvqndypdTd__D4vhvk5jBfA9pxG5UpjL44maWYbZVqUUFj0jnsCIe7OexUmmg2lYXzBji_jGOlwSAO3AJ0oEUquFkdzdyGQphj0VNtlHeBqArRJ404__-EYz9vLL/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+102.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484631526466892402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfopsEblwKJFRnhLmbvqndypdTd__D4vhvk5jBfA9pxG5UpjL44maWYbZVqUUFj0jnsCIe7OexUmmg2lYXzBji_jGOlwSAO3AJ0oEUquFkdzdyGQphj0VNtlHeBqArRJ404__-EYz9vLL/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+102.JPG" /></a>We did get some good surprise birds such as a very obliging male Spotted Towhee, and a not so obliging Clay-colored Sparrow. An Osprey flew over, which no one had ever seen an Osprey in Lewistown before. Mountain Bluebirds, and this fellow also let us take a look at them...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhzCwVmbJ0bJgpK-LXy2m6ZQvDXVpiFMiG9gy3fAZ1u7IMjb-ZIPY0Tt202iBTyGNUobK9ZG2yv1ESUSFvP-e1-eh-4hkrS57lVRCV29V9ItvRKB_wkGuSiLY0sqSR9VU9cq-u37kGPYI/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+120.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 207px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484630848508864434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhzCwVmbJ0bJgpK-LXy2m6ZQvDXVpiFMiG9gy3fAZ1u7IMjb-ZIPY0Tt202iBTyGNUobK9ZG2yv1ESUSFvP-e1-eh-4hkrS57lVRCV29V9ItvRKB_wkGuSiLY0sqSR9VU9cq-u37kGPYI/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+120.JPG" /></a>We all soon got chilled and moved on to a cafe for some warm drinks and planned our next move.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlu56xwnKc5CZwP6cJfqRGB5gIMaTh1tix4BEX8uDjNtjNiuUn4DIgwhH3gKEv0hGizoa7H1GEMyXl1WjeJOnB8NYeiz8SnqRxPAfLga4HPzWctn-WaQbKnoSBgZq-UfdEifqDvoZfSGL/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+145.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484630834189330882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlu56xwnKc5CZwP6cJfqRGB5gIMaTh1tix4BEX8uDjNtjNiuUn4DIgwhH3gKEv0hGizoa7H1GEMyXl1WjeJOnB8NYeiz8SnqRxPAfLga4HPzWctn-WaQbKnoSBgZq-UfdEifqDvoZfSGL/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+145.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgPMUuDCTLsZuAQ3OdUh5Yz3HsO3xeB3bHxYNTEQE1DqrvAMFjNRaM3P9_11ICXzTGT4Ci3lRoluwV-cp-elHZsed-fiW2TM36IPVqd1QWEY0PyNqrx1JCMIglGZG4vqUBBGISNBmuC5U/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+165.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484630814734810690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgPMUuDCTLsZuAQ3OdUh5Yz3HsO3xeB3bHxYNTEQE1DqrvAMFjNRaM3P9_11ICXzTGT4Ci3lRoluwV-cp-elHZsed-fiW2TM36IPVqd1QWEY0PyNqrx1JCMIglGZG4vqUBBGISNBmuC5U/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+165.JPG" /></a>We moved on to where my mom and I had the Veery the day before and attempted to have everyone get looks at it, but thrushes are hard to work with sometimes.</div><div></div><div>We took a nice trail along Spring Creek and got some more birds for the trip like Common Yellowthroat and Black-headed Grosbeak<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSVc6KpuaJY1i3RulkMjR-UiVAFsqCoKRKwhYWkibPGwBi8ThyRt2z6vdc_gFVqbIrAUC-3BbJQQ4XWRodDmehJ807oZR-uUPhWmjLn7nmzduwc9BdxutTjLvq3wpPI8cRKnQgTFI24-r/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+223.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484630798316654418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSVc6KpuaJY1i3RulkMjR-UiVAFsqCoKRKwhYWkibPGwBi8ThyRt2z6vdc_gFVqbIrAUC-3BbJQQ4XWRodDmehJ807oZR-uUPhWmjLn7nmzduwc9BdxutTjLvq3wpPI8cRKnQgTFI24-r/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+223.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJ7-DUqs5xFGdu4rUCKn_QJb0pDNsFBI2l-S0D-H77Vm-HdYUNxr2TToxpsrlqqyQpEu8zh1gm94dYqmzGUj5f2PY4sAhLTtwLPwJ6UaSx4J-Ehzpz05pTTDjmmnav_b4OY7NJEKJKzqh/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+233.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484630781395198834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJ7-DUqs5xFGdu4rUCKn_QJb0pDNsFBI2l-S0D-H77Vm-HdYUNxr2TToxpsrlqqyQpEu8zh1gm94dYqmzGUj5f2PY4sAhLTtwLPwJ6UaSx4J-Ehzpz05pTTDjmmnav_b4OY7NJEKJKzqh/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+233.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jtwE687Bij2tDJHDBcjvdS4KyRuCcNXmqwb7gBNxeXxSDSh5abi00mIwLoShcprseC08kz79PzVgZOZ9Bu3xRZY5JvKrllbAyxnxQX367bt0dF_az6SD1FAl3bPkxnnH4sEnlihuth3n/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+240.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484629966761663234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jtwE687Bij2tDJHDBcjvdS4KyRuCcNXmqwb7gBNxeXxSDSh5abi00mIwLoShcprseC08kz79PzVgZOZ9Bu3xRZY5JvKrllbAyxnxQX367bt0dF_az6SD1FAl3bPkxnnH4sEnlihuth3n/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+240.JPG" /></a> Lady Slippers - almost got more attention them the majority of the birds!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-BolUMKY8lxjAIPuous9bU691Z9blOuTM_D0cLIASq7ylv0UJeFGcHdLlxTfovGAKKV0Tff9RByoDABlxsOy-pfHocAOcGZuFf9KgHjSembgpatgDaPkFr3rqir8aHn9v8F4bSppIFUn/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+252.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484629957549044946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-BolUMKY8lxjAIPuous9bU691Z9blOuTM_D0cLIASq7ylv0UJeFGcHdLlxTfovGAKKV0Tff9RByoDABlxsOy-pfHocAOcGZuFf9KgHjSembgpatgDaPkFr3rqir8aHn9v8F4bSppIFUn/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+252.JPG" /></a>We ended the official trip at some ponds north of town with Blue-winged Teal and American Avocet the main birds. Also, we ended the trip with about 50 birds exactly! not bad for a half-day trip in 7 mile circle! </div><div></div><div>From there my mom and I left for home, 6 1/2 hours away!</div><div></div><div>On the way, I talked my mom into make a stop at Freezout Lake, and here, I got a number of yearbirds such as Willet, Common and Forster's Tern.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcG4Jz9O3OPz-13oJYghr7Ce-a8w2BIBxErQCtmw5uHjW-u9w_9LBwJbjbAKs8XN7AtNcKwktea5HcsfApJQwcubcarxjzLnsEfcSmOy87GYxFbce-KRelYiCY7l7lCcXxynzv8MDzJKb/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+306.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 217px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484629947086448674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcG4Jz9O3OPz-13oJYghr7Ce-a8w2BIBxErQCtmw5uHjW-u9w_9LBwJbjbAKs8XN7AtNcKwktea5HcsfApJQwcubcarxjzLnsEfcSmOy87GYxFbce-KRelYiCY7l7lCcXxynzv8MDzJKb/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+306.JPG" /></a>Killdeer posing nicely at Freezout<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiyB1u-Xh4uYSLq3djgeBQkRVn6GRvNnPJ3boPvL30atLOCdGlb2-L1YYXOoHCQnJ-iS4ztbDE-mddQv5Dn5bbvRpKdLhVdHRztUeDMyzcK7ncS9AxZAoKlKFmJQ0lVlkaIqfiYgQhWbY/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+353.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 106px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484629925684368210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiyB1u-Xh4uYSLq3djgeBQkRVn6GRvNnPJ3boPvL30atLOCdGlb2-L1YYXOoHCQnJ-iS4ztbDE-mddQv5Dn5bbvRpKdLhVdHRztUeDMyzcK7ncS9AxZAoKlKFmJQ0lVlkaIqfiYgQhWbY/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+353.JPG" /></a>A ULTRA cool shot of an American Avocet at Freezout<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMpy3g78lAQu7FE_fNXEvMIukkoFA37EFGlJiHrqKL2FdGIpXW7EiQUAT3uaRrjUueDEYg7PadWG6NvXRUPNCe5fZ8tI1h3HZzm3hFUCtefcmhUESm6tbeNbNhlJvLTM59FtmZnNcxrE-/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+360.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484629916587745522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMpy3g78lAQu7FE_fNXEvMIukkoFA37EFGlJiHrqKL2FdGIpXW7EiQUAT3uaRrjUueDEYg7PadWG6NvXRUPNCe5fZ8tI1h3HZzm3hFUCtefcmhUESm6tbeNbNhlJvLTM59FtmZnNcxrE-/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+360.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimc0qm9eRB_4XoQAropnEczxOpVJXXzFHM3nZUPR_K8M2lqRYOH7bqkf5ZzTP3fgxxkDZLq4LWc9IWvcr56zarfULhUHzFFGRf7CTg7xwSCSLPJWPLTOfgAsB6G7BrRsreJSruZmPyYLTn/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+364.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484628413707291586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimc0qm9eRB_4XoQAropnEczxOpVJXXzFHM3nZUPR_K8M2lqRYOH7bqkf5ZzTP3fgxxkDZLq4LWc9IWvcr56zarfULhUHzFFGRf7CTg7xwSCSLPJWPLTOfgAsB6G7BrRsreJSruZmPyYLTn/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+364.JPG" /></a>The North end of Freezout itself!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vMzXH26QV7E7viH611ljm7bWWeGWgxfAXjJShqvMsl22HMdT9XP9ROUc9Zj5JG2kCmfwMfjFn4iFOkD-AGpKaJH1hFMP4pc72uK1OaWjjc9nOUQH_hg7mGSmG0H5cJNQOy2vW-xCJ0KX/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+379.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484628387611613138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vMzXH26QV7E7viH611ljm7bWWeGWgxfAXjJShqvMsl22HMdT9XP9ROUc9Zj5JG2kCmfwMfjFn4iFOkD-AGpKaJH1hFMP4pc72uK1OaWjjc9nOUQH_hg7mGSmG0H5cJNQOy2vW-xCJ0KX/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+379.JPG" /></a>California Gull - one of the many birds that breed in large numbers at Freezout Lake. Among them are Franklin's Gull, White-faced Ibis, Black-necked Stilt, and MANY duck species. I unfortunately missed Ibis and Black-crowned Heron, though those birds require I little bit more time to find then I had that day.</div><div></div><div>On the way between Freezout and Browning, I spotted this beautiful bird!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3wWUVUVB9iUMwtC8zgWgjub_9-IduiZqWfR8ncs-vbd4yntUGQQjlWoXZBRu51TayQd8unlH8Uo62lYqzSWtoTfkXlzXloOhZVwcsgzdYozMiyDexv7LC1_fIXsZAwnXcb06mSz779uq/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+392.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484628379868325858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3wWUVUVB9iUMwtC8zgWgjub_9-IduiZqWfR8ncs-vbd4yntUGQQjlWoXZBRu51TayQd8unlH8Uo62lYqzSWtoTfkXlzXloOhZVwcsgzdYozMiyDexv7LC1_fIXsZAwnXcb06mSz779uq/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+392.JPG" /></a>A Red-winged WHITEbird!! A leucistic Red-winged Blackbird! What a treat!! Leucistic means that the birds pigment cells are a bit screwy or nonfunctional, resulting in a white and tan bird!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr3BUhIaZYfrUabOBYQRx1Nd_rmtET-Js3GP8V_4_BnF402OH8RCDSj8_Oo53sYSJ-lLaX6JwA7yqxA8YOiC989zhaMRy3afsFbOvnnc2cl76sPUouSEEU52BHxkPca1Kk2NsbtmoYdus/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+395.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 273px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484628368655417954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr3BUhIaZYfrUabOBYQRx1Nd_rmtET-Js3GP8V_4_BnF402OH8RCDSj8_Oo53sYSJ-lLaX6JwA7yqxA8YOiC989zhaMRy3afsFbOvnnc2cl76sPUouSEEU52BHxkPca1Kk2NsbtmoYdus/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+395.JPG" /></a> - The Rocky Mountain Front!!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzrhHKhyphenhyphenVMkuqKRXxh8WmAJpB4W_NwN8WQ9CqLbmSBG-FM_RC2tL8gzN1QaJeD_Rrea4Faj4fvTesWS-rSDlOaSzr3qb1VdGn-BrV4N_zkOtwZ_QBnwalNc_7g7LewNEUExwpNAc7ujKH/s1600/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+441.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484628366280806290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzrhHKhyphenhyphenVMkuqKRXxh8WmAJpB4W_NwN8WQ9CqLbmSBG-FM_RC2tL8gzN1QaJeD_Rrea4Faj4fvTesWS-rSDlOaSzr3qb1VdGn-BrV4N_zkOtwZ_QBnwalNc_7g7LewNEUExwpNAc7ujKH/s400/bloggLewistown+Trip+June+2010+441.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>JoshChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062475856301025745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702515829361911987.post-4468991219618721002010-05-11T11:23:00.003-06:002010-05-11T11:38:57.461-06:00I Have Finally Returned!!I could spend all day making lame excuses for not birding in the last month and a half, but the ultimate reasons are I am just a tad lazy and have had a lack of gas money.<br /><br />I have been lucky enough to run into new yearbirds in my everyday events like work and school, even with out birding, I have seen maybe 20+ yearbirds!!<br /><br /><strong>APRIL:</strong> In the first week of April I saw: Tree Swallow, Turkey Vulture, Pine Siskin, Northern Saw-Whet Owl, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and American Three-toed Woodpecker.<br /><br /><strong>MAY:</strong> From about the last week of April to now, I have been seeing more and more birds! <br />Yearbirds include: Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, American Dipper, Osprey, Cooper's Hawk, Winter Wren, Belted Kingfisher, American Pipit, American Avocet, Long-billed Curlew, Rufous Hummingbird, Vaux's Swift, and Violet-green Swallow.<br /><br />I saw the avocets, curlew, and Orange-crowned in Hungry Horse, about 10 minutes away, up in the "canyon" towards Glacier Park. <strong>Eurasian Collared Doves</strong> have now infiltrated Columbia Falls, and even Hungry Horse!!<br /><br />I hope to take pictures and do more birding soon!!!JoshChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01062475856301025745noreply@blogger.com0