Month: November 2022

Rare in Durango

Nests on Canada’s tundra

Near Threatened status

I photographed this Harris’s Sparrow in my yard on Saturday. Pretty cool to have a rare bird for La Plata County show up in my yard.   It briefly showed again today. I am hoping that it will stick around., but the bigger birds (Corvids) chase it away from a feeder when it lands. The population of this bird is on the decline, and it would be good if I could help it make it through the winter.

Hiked up Perins Peak

Wonderful views all around

Beautiful. Chilly.

Gambel’s Quail Covey

They are found in dry farmlands

Not too common here.

On Thanksgiving Day a non-birder reported seeing a Greater Roadrunner in our county.  So my birding buddy, Katy, and I went out looking for it.  We did not find it, but we did come across a covey of Gambel’s Quail.

Cross-country skiing

On the Colorado Trail

Act of reverence.

While leaving today

A neighbor came by my yard

We chatted briefly

Here’s a Cackling Goose

Note size, neck, bill, white collar

Not Canada Goose

Well, we think it is a Cackling Goose.  Much smaller than Canada Goose, also a thicker shorter neck, smaller bill and a white collar at the base of the black neck.  We posted it on eBird and will see if the experts agree.

Morning clouds lifting

Mountains rise up through the mist

A hawk flies higher

Overnight the snow
Grew out of the arms and hands
Of Grandmother Tree

Trees are like people

With wisdom, sentience, healing

We’re all related.

I just finished reading this book.

Fawn nuzzles mother

The only one in focus

A third deer in back

Yeah, I make plenty of mistakes when I photograph.