Killdeer Chicks at Red Rock Lakes NWR
Killdeer chicks are precocial and active soon after hatching and will leave the nest as soon as their down dries.
Short-eared Owl In Flight Over A Wet Meadow
This Short-eared Owl in flight over a wet meadow was just one of my favorite images taken yesterday in the Centennial Valley.
Beaverhead County Red-tailed Hawks
These are a few of the Beaverhead County Red-tailed Hawks that I have photographed while on this trip to Montana and Idaho.
Trio of Red Fox Kits in Montana
In this photograph the trio of Red Fox kits were close together outside of the den and I liked how they appeared to be waiting for something.
Low light Ferruginous Hawk in Flight with Nesting Material
I was able to create several images of this Ferruginous Hawk in flight with nesting materials over a field of sage and lupines despite the low light.
Centennial Valley Eastern Kingbird
Mountain Bluebirds and this Centennial Valley Eastern Kingbird were the first two bird species I photographed on this trip to Montana and Idaho.
Chip, Chip, Chipping Sparrow
I photographed this little Chipping Sparrow yesterday evening at the Upper Lake campground at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.
Merlin in Southwestern Montana
Last September I was able to observe and photograph a Merlin in southwestern Montana over a period of several days.
Western Wood-Pewee in the Centennial Valley of Montana
Western Wood-Pewees are drab, medium-sized, flycatchers that breed in the open forests and riparian habitats in western North America.
Mountain Bluebird chick in Montana
This young Mountain Bluebird chick was photographed last summer at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Montana.
Sunset Paints the Sky at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
The are times when I feel that the sunset paints the sky with vibrant colors and although the earth seems muted at twilight its still anchors me.
Crepuscular Rays and Watercolor Skies at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
My focus is usually birds and animals but as many of you know I also can't resist taking images of the beautiful views I see such as these two views of Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge last week.
Northern Flicker on a fence post in the Centennial Valley
Early on the second morning when I was in Montana last week I was able to photograph this male Northern Flicker on the side and top of a weathered fence post.
Centennial Valley Merlin
I don't often have the opportunity to photograph Merlins so I was plenty excited to find one yesterday on the South Valley Road in the Centennial Valley that stuck around for a bit!
Tree Swallow Defending Its Nest Photo In Memory Of A Great Friend
I'm posting this Tree Swallow image that was taken at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in memory of a great friend, Rohn McKee.
Pair of Swainson’s Hawks in Beaverhead County, Montana
I am itching to get back out in the field with Swainson's Hawks partly because they are handsome raptors and partly because by now there might be some young that have fledged.
Wilson’s Phalarope And A Midge At Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
On my recent trip to Idaho and Montana I didn't have many opportunities with Wilson's Phalaropes except for one at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge's Lower Lake.
Field of Wildflowers and a Sandhill Crane in the Centennial Valley
I always think of Sandhill Cranes whenever my thoughts drift to the Centennial Valley of Montana where I always hear their calls, see them in the fields or in flight over the marshes.
Wonderful Photo Session with a White-crowned Sparrow
Yesterday was bright and sunny in the Centennial Valley and after hearing this White-crowned Sparrow singing I felt like breaking out in song too.
Cassin’s Finches of the Centennial Valley of Montana
Cassin's Finch males look to me like they have been dipped in raspberry juice and that color is very vibrant especially in sweet light.
White-faced Ibis in breeding plumage at Red Rock Lakes NWR
The first bird I photographed on my recent trip to Idaho and Montana was a White-faced Ibis in full breeding plumage.
Dreaming of Sandhill Cranes
Last night I only had dreams about Sandhill Cranes but it won't be long before I will be seeing and hearing them for real. I can barely wait.
Trumpeter Swans of the Centennial Valley
One of the locations I am daydreaming about is the Centennial Valley of Montana and the birds I find there.
Summer Memories of Greater Sage-Grouse
I was going back through some of the images I took this past summer and came across this photo of a Greater Sage-Grouse I photographed in July.
Prairie Merlin
I saw a fleeting glimpse of a bird a few days ago that I suspect was a Merlin that migrated to winter here in Utah and it inspired me to post a few Merlin images today.
Merlin, Prey and Fog
Earlier this month I had the opportunity to photograph a Merlin two mornings in a row in the Centennial Valley of Montana, once in low light and once as a fog rolled in.
Centennial Valley Cinnamon Teal
Things were "just ducky" earlier this month in the Centennial Valley of Montana and this Cinnamon Teal seemed to be enjoying the warm late afternoon light.
Pair of Sandhill Cranes in the Centennial Valley
I was delighted to find quite a few Sandhill Cranes in the Centennial Valley of Montana last week and this pair was close enough to photograph.
Centennial Valley Bathing Vesper Sparrows
A Vesper Sparrow caught my eye last week as it fluttered and fluffed on an old barb wire fence near the road and I just had to photograph it.
Merlin Magic
Just a short Merlin post today from my Montana trip, a teaser for the images I will soon be posting.