I mentioned in my previous post that I captured two wildlife species at the highest viewpoint along the Beartooth Highway at the elevation of 10,947 feet.
I first saw mountain goats (next post!); but when I saw this alpine bird, my excitement quadrupled.
Welcome to my lifer list, #240 Black Rosy-Finch!
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Black Rosy-Finch with a mouthful
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Residing and breeding above treeline, high in the mountains of the western U.S., the Black Rosy-Finch is oblivious to cold and snow.
This medium-sized finch nests in cliffs and crevices in alpine areas where few people go, foraging at the edges of melting snow for insects and seeds. It will descend to slightly lower elevations in the winter when heavy snow covers their foraging areas.
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Black Rosy-Finch
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Several people were descending towards me to see the mountain goats better and my little finch took off. I was surely disappointed, but I’ll not forget this brief, amazing encounter!
