Sunday, February 16, 2014

Valentine owls - GBBC

For the last two days I have been enjoying the Great Backyard Bird Count even though we are having a lot of rain and fog on top of two feet of snow.  It won't last long with all this warm weather.

Here is my favorite picture of the two days.  I found these two Great Horned owls celebrating Valentine's Day the day after.  Or maybe it is a real relationship as it is time for them to pair up and start nesting.


The Deer Parks WMA west of Rexburg now has about 500 trumpeter swan, 400 Canada geese and 400 mallards working the stubble field and starting on the corn patch as they are migrating in.


Even though it is still frozen over, Market Lake WMA has been invaded by waxwings.  Here is a lone Bohemian waxwing joining a flock of Cedar waxwings there.  They are feeding off the Russian olives.


At the Teton River bottoms and Henrys Fork of the Snake River, I am still finding the rare Great Gray owls.  They will soon start moving back up the the mountains to nest and raise their young.  My 2014 Bucket List includes to find a Great Gray owl nest this spring.


Camas NWR is the roosting place for about 40 bald eagles and here are two that are working the calving and lambing operations within a few miles of the refuge.



Just another couple of days in the wilds of Idaho.  Have a great day.

4 comments:

Wilma said...

Great series today, Bill. That eagle just taking off is impressive.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

I still could almost weep that you have seen the Great Gray owl. Do you think before it heads North again, you could just send it my way for a day ;). I think it is wonderful that you have had this remarkable encounter. The Great Horned Owls are magnificent too. Have a great week!

troutbirder said...

Wonderful photography Bill of some of my favorite birds. Glad to read your recovering well....:)

Mary said...

Wow, Bill, these photos are fantastic! Thank you for sharing the bounty of your wonderful bird and wildlife sightings.