Excuse my absence, we took to the road after my last post and it has been sporadic internet coverage since. It’s been almost impossible to post and read blogs; I had to give up, hoping our next destination’s coverage would be better. It’s not and feels like landline. Argh! That hourglass!! I’ll try to catch up on your blogs but excuse me if I’m not able to comment much.
So yes, we’ve relocated twice since my last post. We left Williams, Arizona, for Lake Powell in Page, Arizona, and then moved on a week later to here in Bryce Canyon. I’ll be ‘hoodoo’ sight-seeing these next few days!
Now a little catch-up back-tracking, back to Kaibab Lake just outside Williams where I enjoyed a some great birding and wildlife a few hours over several days.
It was always a pleasure to check up on the Osprey family.
Momma Osprey coming in for a landing
Momma Osprey and one of her chicks (I saw two total)
Hearing the telltale sound of tree drilling, I was always looking for Woodpeckers. I finally sighted this Hairy Woodpecker. He refused to come out of the shade.
Hairy Woodpecker
When I saw this second woodpecker, it appeared to be a Flicker, but the red markings were different than the Northern Flicker. I was excited to discover later that it was a Gilded Flicker, a new “lifer” for me.
Gilded Flicker
Gilded Flicker
Another “lifer” for me is this Canyon Wren. He flew from rock to rock, singing his little heart out.
Canyon Wren
Canyon Wren
I’ve captured Eastern Bluebirds back home on the East Coast, and I was hoping to add the Western Bluebird to my “lifer” list. I did!
Western Bluebird
Western Bluebird
In abundance was a loud bird making it easy to find and follow, and I worked on photographing them each time I visited. It was the Steller’s Jay (Rocky Mountain variety) and another “lifer” for me.
Steller’s Jay (Rocky Mountain variety)
There is also a Steller’s Jay (Pacific variety), the difference being the Rocky Mountain variety has the white ‘eyebrow’ where the Pacific variety does not.
Steller’s Jay (Rocky Mountain variety)
I just love this next capture. The wind was blowing, flaring the Steller’s Jay crown as he turned towards me.
Steller’s Jay (Rocky Mountain variety)
There was plenty of wildlife that meandered around during daylight. The Rock Squirrels could keep you busy all day with their photogenic cuteness.
Rock Squirrel
There were also Prairie Dogs, Jack Rabbits, Mule Deer, and lizards who saw me before I saw them.
Jack Rabbit
Jack Rabbit
Lizard
Mule Deer with a mouthful
Prairie Dog
Prairie Dog
Prairie Dog
It was a lot of fun birding and wildlife watching at Kaibab Lake. And if you enjoy dry-camping in our National forests, the large paved campground sites there are awesome. The wildlife increases dramatically at dusk I was told by some of the campers.
Thank you for stopping by, I appreciate your visit and hope to catch up with your posts real soon!
(I’m a little apprehensive on whether this post gets “published” with the slow connection. Fingers crossed!)
