Spring Surprises

Surprises come in two variations—positive and negative. Like most people who care about our planet and its denizens, I worry about contagion, wars, and climate change. While I’m extremely grateful that nobody is shooting at me or making me leave my home and country, that water flows when I turn on the faucet and electricity … Continue reading Spring Surprises

Fish For Breakfast?

If you are an osprey, the answer is a resounding “yes”. The more accurate question would be: Raw fish for breakfast? To which the osprey’s response would be an emphatic “of course, it’s the only way I eat my fish.” Sushi on an empty stomach may not for the tender-hearted, but it is the norm … Continue reading Fish For Breakfast?

April Brings Avocets

As a short, squat person, I have always envied long-legged creatures. That fact alone doesn’t explain my fascination with birds who seem to walk on stilts, but it might contribute. And so it was with great joy that, in early April, I greeted the first sizeable flock of migratory shorebirds to grace the shore of … Continue reading April Brings Avocets

Precious Prairie

A continual chant pouring forth from the beaks of Western Meadowlarks. The occasional twitter of Horned Larks. Near-constant chirping of curious yet cautious Black-tailed Prairie Dogs. A sporadic appearance of Pronghorn. Last but not least, sweeping views of Pikes Peak, our local fourteener, and its lower Front Range neighbors. These are some of the delights … Continue reading Precious Prairie

Bluebirds Make Me Happy

If someone asked me to name my favorite bird, I wouldn’t be able to. How could I? There are around 10,500 known avian species worldwide and I have encountered only about 500 of them in my life thus far. When fellow birders say that their favorite bird is the one in front of them at … Continue reading Bluebirds Make Me Happy