not birds

When Cyndi read my last post she commented that I had failed to mention the glorious weather and the fun times we had together. Mea culpa. I get so excited to see a "new" bird that other things get ignored. In this case, "new" meant "first time seen in Idaho." We are also keeping track of birds that we see in Idaho in 2010, and honestly, having so many things to track is getting to be more than I want to have to remember. Maybe I'll just watch for birds I've never before seen, anywhere, as my highest priority. It would make things easier and less stressful. And I don't think birding should be stressful.

In this photo Cyndi is not seeing any birds. I wonder why there are no birds in the pond? Where could they all be? Let's not tell her that there are some birds behind her!

We do see more than just birds. A few weeks ago we saw a pair of mink down by the Boise River.

When I went out in search of the Northern Shrike I could not help but notice that spring is arriving. The groundhog predicted more winter, but I think the groundhog was incorrect for Idaho ... the pussywillows are budding.

And Saturday was so warm I didn't even wear my coat ... just a hooded sweatshirt. What a joy to imagine the warmth of summer approaching. We enjoyed a picnic outdoors, on Saturday at the Ted Trueblood Wildlife Management Area with Bald and Golden Eagles nearby and a kettle of Ravens, Northern Harrier and a Red-tailed Hawk all sharing a rising thermal together. Our Sunday picnic was in the Snake River Canyon, listening to a singing Canyon Wren.

On Saturday we also saw this Skunk. Mostly I'm looking at the birds, but if somebody comes by, I snap a photo if I can.

And, on each of our expeditions we stayed out until the rosy colors of sunset warmed the sky and often reflected in the water. It can be hard to get me to go home on a fine day of birding, but the onset of darkness helps me to quit for the day.

I do get lost in the moment and forget that I'm hungry or tired when outside enjoying nature. Though birds currently get most of the attention of my camera (it used to be wildflowers), I do notice other things with my peripheral vision, and that makes the experience complete.

Rodents

Here's a quick salute to Idaho's diverse rodent population. I thank them for turning the soil and helping things grow. They make great food for the Swainson's Hawks, too!

We have squirrels and chipmunks, and there is more than one kind of squirrel. I enjoy seeing this dark brown kind with the white eye rings.


There are lots of ground squirrels. I've heard people call them "Columbian Ground Squirrels" and in the mountains I think there is a "Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel".

It sure is funny the way they sit on their haunches!

The next photo is a mink. It was playing in the rocks by the Boise River.

And, a Long-tailed Weasel. What a jumper.

The omnipresent Badger. Those can be scary when they charge! But I've never gotten attacked, just scared. Mostly I mind my own business, and they go about theirs. This one is smirking for some reason.

And, my favorite rodent photo ... a Pika. They live at high elevations, harvesting and drying grasses to store for the long, cold winter ahead. They're related to rabbits and can throw their voices. I often hear them in alpine areas, and they can be hard to see. This one was uncommonly trusting, perhaps because it lived by a nature trail at Craters of the Moon National Monument.