Bill Schiess' Wild in Idaho - Experiences and Essays of Life

Trumpeter swans invade Rexburg area

2012-01-16T16:12:00.000-08:00

In the snowless fields around Rexburg this year, there are hundreds if not close to a thousand Trumpeter swans feeding on rotten potatoes and wasted grain in the stubble fields. In one field alone I counted 443 trumpeters and one Tundra swan last week. On two sides of the field are power lines and at times these wonderful birds crash into them like the one below. Each casualty has been reported to the authorities.

Last week we had a tagged trumpeter show up and am waiting for its life history from the feds. We do know it was banded in Canada in 2003.

We really need some air flight controllers as I have seen several mid air collisions during the high winds.

There are also some interesting pictures as the swans come in to feed. Here two geese flying together looks like a single with four wings.

Here two of four fly in unison and it appears as one swan has two heads.

I spend one or two evenings each week, counting, taking photos and enjoying these fantastic birds alone or with a friend or grandchild. Just enjoying the wildness of Idaho.

Ririe Reservor ice fishing

2012-01-05T06:47:00.000-08:00

I am going to fish more this year!!!!! So last evening after school, I headed for Ririe Reservoir to ice fish for kokanee salmon, trout and perch. A friend of mine, Kirk, had been there most of the day and caught a perch as I walked by.

He had a pile of fish already on the ice, but the kokanee were coming through in small bunches and deep under the ice.

Even with the ice from four to seven inches deep, not many people are fishing the lake - that is fine with me and the few of us enjoying the outings. But at 4:15, my fish finder indicated a large school of kokanee just under the ice. Five minutes later I had all my kokanee. I dropped down to the bottom at 77 feet down to fish for perch. They were also feeding heavily. I finally had to leave by my headlight.

What a great way to spend an evening in the Wilds of Idaho.

Hawk attacks Eagles

2011-12-30T07:32:00.000-08:00

Last week I decided to go birding during the holidays and found these two Bald eagles perched over a warm canal. They were probably waiting for a fish or duck to show up.

A Harlin's phase of a Red-tailed hawk decide it did not like them there and attack them.

The bald on the outside flew off with the hawk in chase. It chased the eagle away from the canal.

The other eagle watched closely as the chase continued.

When the hawk started back to the canal, the second eagle also left.

It was a lot of fun to watch the battle of the preditors in the wilds of Idaho.

Happy New Year to all of you

Cold but no snow

2011-12-11T07:02:00.000-08:00

I spent Tuesday evening looking for birds and fishing for perch at Mud Lake. The fishing was slow with only three perch, and even the birding was slow. It has been very cold with no snow and the winter birds have not showed up yet. I did find this Northern Shrike that posed for me.

Then as the sun was getting ready to set, the ice started popping and cracking, forming pressure ridges on the lake. The last open water had frozen over the day before.

Trumpeter swan looking for open water to sit on for the night kept coming in, but had to land on the slick ice. What a funny show I watched with my binoculars as the inexperienced swans would slide across the ice crashing into each other or taking a tumble. I wish I would have been closer and with more light to get some pictures of the skating party.

What a great way to spend another wild evening in the wilds of Idaho.

First Ice Fishing trip

2011-11-20T12:39:00.000-08:00

About 8:30 I decided to skate my way 70 miles to get to Henrys Lake for my first ice fishing trip of the season. The roads were slow going, but I made after two hours on ice and packed snow.

There were a few fishermen at Staley Springs, but I told a friend I would fish the County Boat Dock area, so I met him there.

Gary was in the process of landing this nice cutthroat when I arrived.

After a couple of hours of slow fishing, catching four and breaking off two, I landed this large brook trout.

On the way home I watched the waterfowl, especially the Trumpeter swan. With the water so deep in the river, ducks and geese would swim behind the swan picking up the plants to eat the swan picked loose. Stealing food.

A great way to spend a wild day in Idaho.

Travels with an Old Man-1

2011-10-05T05:25:00.000-07:00

I am out of school for potato harvest and decided to spend the day enjoying the outdoors. I loaded my fly rod, shotgun, chain saw and camera and headed out at 5:45 in the dark. About 10 miles out of town it started raining very hard and I almost turned around and headed home but then I thought, "If you wait for rain to stop, you may miss a life-time of experiences."

The rain had slowed to a misty wetness as I pulled into Sand Creek Pond #4. The planters were hungry and I was enjoying them when other fishermen showed up. The giggling told me some were teenage girls. They went down the pond and soon the giggles turned into excited shouts - they were catching fish also.

I found out that a young man was a very smart young man and knows exactly what to do with young women - pick them up at 6:15 in the morning and take them fishing. They will never forget you. Actually he and one of the girls are students of mine. Here he is will a large rainbow - the girls also caught large fish.

The rain had subsided as I left the Sand Creek Ponds with the trees just starting to change into their fall colors.

I headed across the high mountain desert successfully finding sharp-tailed and sage grouse. This is Split Butte, one of the dozens of buttes caused by volcanic eruptions.

As I climbed higher the clouds had dropped around the shoulders of Fog Butte - aply named. There I was able to get a load of fire wood.

As I climbed higher and did some scouting for deer and elk, I found beautiful pockets of colored aspen.

After experiencing a sudden down pour, I found this Swainson's hawk trying to dry out its feathers in the wind.

What a great day spent in the wildness of Idaho.

Harvest sunrise

2011-09-15T11:43:00.000-07:00

Harvest dust creates great sunrises and sunsets.

A lot of bull

2011-09-04T05:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon I decided to go to Camas National Wildlife Refuge to try to locate some migrating avocets, but got side tracked by two bull moose. I saw one about a quarter of a mile away and decided to stalk it and see if I could get some good pictures. Before the day would be over there would be a lot of bull out there.

The one bull moose soon turned into two bulls and I watched them heading in a general southwest direction. I located a small knoll with a few sage brush on it and made my way there. At time the bullrush was so tall only their antlers would be showing. When this happened I would work to another sagebrush to try to intercept them.

Their eyesight is not very good - probably a good thing when you realize how cute the females are - but their smelling and hearing are excellent. I tried to move as silently as I could when I needed to move. But here the two act like they smell something funny.

But they continuely move closer to me. The larger one is suspious and moves away while the smaller one continues working his way toward me.

I start to get very nervous when he gets about 30 feet from me and I can hear the crunching of the veggies as he eats. Finally he hears the camera and smells me; comes to attention and decides to leave.

He flashes me as he heads back to the other bull, who has decided to tak a nap.

When he gets to the larger bull he starts eating. Then I realize there is a bull elk in the background watching this whole bachelor party, but not willing to join in. You can see him if you enlarge the picture by clicking on it.

It was quite a bachelor party with a lot of bull there. With two bull moose, a bull elk, a bull human and lots of bullrushes, I even saw a little bs come from the smaller bull moose as he got too close to me. Just another wild day in Idaho.

Busy Summer

2011-07-24T06:10:00.000-07:00

Oh, what a busy summer. Two weeks without a post, so I am sneeking one in. Guiding fishermen, fishing with family, getting in wood, working on a grant, keeping the garden weedless (almost), attending grandkids activities, attending weddings and building a few things keeps be busy from before sunrise to after sunset.

Someone asked me what I do in my spare time; I replied "sleep, if I can find the time." But I always manage to find a few things to photograph.

Coming back from guiding a fisherman, I discovered a family of Mountain Bluebirds and stopped for a half hour to work them. Here the dad sits in all his royal colors, trying to stay between me, the intruder and his family.

Meanwhile, Mom is catching bugs, killing them by pounding them on a hard surface and then feeding one of the four babies begging for food.

Occasionally Dad leaves his command post, catches bugs and feeds the hungry bottomless pits.

All this work is so hard, he appears to take a nap - not really - he is actually scratching an itch.

And as I go to leave, he gives me a wave good-bye.

What a great way to enjoy the Wilds of Idaho.

Yellowstone -first for 2011

2011-06-26T06:21:00.000-07:00

Got back last night from a three day trip though Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks with some of our family. We had a great time and saw a lot of great things including snow and lots of water. There is still over 400% of snow in the mountains to come down - if it will this year. Here is part of the Teton Range covered with snow. It will be a month or more before we can hike over these mountains.

On Sylvan Pass there is so much snow that the Big-horned Sheep are feeding along the road. This ram has an itch he is trying to get some relief from.

Everytime we stopped to have a picnic, birds would try to join us. Here a Clark's Nutcracker begs for something from the kids. Illegal to feed her - she had to find someone else or crack open some nuts.

Grizzly and Black bears are abundant this year. We caught this young grizzly feeding on the millions of midge flies hatching on Yellowstone Lake.

It was a beautiful three days with lots of sun. We caught this bull moose resting in the shade of some aspen as the flies bothered him.

But the most enjoyable time was watching some of the grandkids enjoy the hikes, picnics and other outdoor activities.

Though not in the wilds of Idaho - we had a great time enjoying the wildness of the national parks around us.

More Summer Tanager and attack birds.

2011-06-18T04:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the pictures I took of the rare Summer Tanager that I got on Friday, June 17, at Market Lake, Idaho.

While looking for the Summer Tanager, I captured a coot feeding her baby.

I also stumbled on a baby sandhill crane who chased me, hissing and snapping its bill.

As soon as I back peddled far enough, it took off for its parents out in the grass field.

What a way to spend the morning of a wild day in the wildness of Idaho - and then I went fishing.

Rare Summer Tanager at Market Lake

2011-06-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures I got last night and will add some that I took this morning later this evening. Today I got within 15 feet of it as was sallying for bugs in the open field. It is at the Market Lake Wildlife Management area near Roberts, Idaho.

It is probably a first year male that got lost, but it has been here at least for two days.

Always a great way to spend in the wilds of Idaho - chasing birds.

Washington DC

2011-06-12T15:41:00.000-07:00

I spent the last week in Washington DC, Gettysburg, Williamsburg and Mount Vernon. There were 32 of us that went back for the TAH Grant that I am the coordinator for. We had a great time and I got some life-birds on the trip. Our hotel was just a block away from the National Mall so we had opportunities to visit all the sites there.

Here is our high school social studies department where Pickett made his famous charge. I am the one with my arms folded.

My favorite bird was the Cardinal and we saw a lot of them. This male tried to join us for lunch.

Every day it was very hot. Even this Blue Jay is being bothered by the tempertures over 95 degrees.

Here is the whole group of us except our grant directore, Janet, who was taking the picture on Little Round Top at Gettysburg.

We had a great time. But it was not as wild as in the wilds of Idaho.

Sunset between storms0

2011-06-02T20:45:00.000-07:00

We have had a lot of storms out on the high desert this past two weeks. This week I was out locating raptor nests for the BLM when I got too late, but caught the sun setting between storms. The first picture is taken at 200 mm while the second was taken at 70 mm.

A great way to end the day while in the wilds of Idaho.

See other great sky pictures around the world at http://skyley.blogspot.com/.

Colorful Birds returning

2011-05-30T11:24:00.000-07:00

Friday was the last day of school and I have been birding every day since. But some of the best birds are in my own back yard. The birds are used to my blind and I am able to get close-ups of them from it. Here is a male Black-headed grosbeak. Ther are about 10 at my feeders.

One of the loudest and fun ones is the Bullock's oriole that loves suet.

One of my favorites is the Evening Grosbeak. We find them in the area year around, but I only see them in the spring and summer.

Here a Lazuli Bunting gets harassed by the House finch and Pine Siskins.

Yellow-headed blackbird continue courting in the cattails.

Western Kingbirds have joined the Eastern Kingbirds as they harasse the hawks and pick up hatching insects.

A great way to spend a holiday weekend in the Wilds of Idaho without buying too much high priced gas.

Desert sunrise

2011-05-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday while looking for raptor nests to document for the BLM, I experianced a lot of great moments. This sunrise was one of them.

A great way to start a wild day in Idaho.

Wildlife in the rain

2011-05-08T21:03:00.000-07:00

For the last two days, rain has dominated the weather. It is tough getting good pictures in the over-cast sky when the clouds are crying. It almost makes me cry when I am trying to get some good pictures.

But across the desert and marshes I traveled. First to the Sage Grouse lek where only the males showed up - females are nesting and males are staying available for a female that might lose its nest.

As I headed across the desert looking for new Sharp-tailed grouse leks, I found pockets of blooming Buttercups.

I also saw nine herds of elk moving from their wintering grounds to the areas for them to calve. Many will return to Yellowstone Park about 80 miles away.

As my raptor nest study will begin next week, I started by trying to locate nests. Three Swainson's Hawk nests were found. But they have not started sitting on them.

Then today on the way home from Church, I watched the male Yellow-headed Blackbirds, staking out their territory and inviting the females to come to visit them. There was a little flirting going on, but all the females have not yet returned. Give them another week.

Even the rain could not totally dampen the beauties in the Wilds of Idaho.

Lobsters are for the birds

2011-05-01T20:15:00.000-07:00

The Common Loons, all 22 of them were feasting on Rocky Mountain lobster - crayfish, crawdads, whatever you want to call them. They were so fun to watch them with their lunch. Common Loons are not so common here, but right now they are migrating through and they are a sight to see and their mournful cry that we usually only here in mountain lakes around Yellowstone Park.

Saturday was one of those birding days you dream about - start early, end late and during the middle of the day you mow the lawn with snow hiding under the bushes and trees. Maybe not mowing the lawn with snow falling - but it needed to be done. But the birding on both ends of the day was superb. With 56 species indentified and some pictured for the first time. But the day started out visiting the birds that got me into birding - the Greater Sage grouse. These eight pound birds trying to attract the ladies. Here one puffs out his chest just as the sun came up.

One of the special birds was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet that I photographed for the first time. What a beautiful bird that flitters through the willows, making it difficult for me to catch.

One of the spring birds I love to watch are the beautiful Eared Grebes. There are about 30 on one pond where I have set up my blind. They are a lot of fun.

What a great day as I spent over eight hours out in the wilds of Idaho.

Yellow-throated Warbler and Sage Grouse

2011-04-23T21:36:00.000-07:00

A rare bird gets me very excited and yesterday a friend called to tell me a Yellow-throated Warbler was at the Ashton Fish Hatchery. Having never seen one and with only three recorded in Idaho history, I was after it. But that was not possible until the sun warmed up the 10 degree weather. So out to watch the Sage Grouse do their dance and breeding. Here is a series of pictures of their display.

Here one of over 100 males is displaying on a road. He stands at attentions and takes a deep breath.

Here he raises up taking a deeper breath.

His wings rub on his exposed chest making a squeaking sounds as he continues to suck in air.

Dropping his wings he sucks in more air. The deepest of all the intakes of air.

Now he starts to full the two large air-sacks on his chest.

The air that has filled his lungs is now transferred to the air sacks.

To completely fill the sacks, he buries his head between the air sacks. Notice the blood vessels running through the membrane of the air sacks.

He then releases the air and stands at attention to see if any of the ladies were impressed enough to visit him.

This is a dangerous place for these endangered birds to flirt and breed. It is a good thing that this road is usually only traveled by farmers and bird watchers, or many would be killed.

Here is a poor quality of a lifer for me. Not good but the best I could do today.

A Yellow-throated warbler to end another exciting day in the wilds of Idaho.

Sunrise before the storm

2011-04-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

It has been storming a lot lately with high winds and rain or snow. Some mornings the sun peeks over the mountains only to be covered the the nastyness of more storms. So sun, "Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important."

So thanks for brightening up a tough day for me. A great way to start a day in the wilds of Idaho.

See other great sky shots at http://skyley.blogspot.com/.

Market Lake Sitting Sun

2011-04-15T04:53:00.000-07:00

Leaving Market Lake after spending the evening birding and recording 52 species of birds and seeing a moose and 21 mule deer, I watched the sun as it went to bed. Just a wink and a nod before it closed its eyes completely signalled the death of a day but the birth of the night.

Another beautiful day spent in the wilds of Idaho.

Hoodies attack Red-breasted

2011-04-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I sat in a blind for four hours watching the migrating mergansers feeding and fighting. What an experience. There were about 40 Red-breasted mergansers feeding in an area and with them were six pair of Hooded mergansers. They put on quite a show.

One pair of Hoodies had staked out the area right by my blinds and it seemed like the best feeding area for the larger Red-breasted.

Here the male Hoody is showing off his crest as he tries to protect the area.

It seemed like his main job was to protect his would-be mate. Any other bird that got too close was viciously attack.

After fishing, a male Red-breasted surfaced right by the female Hoody. Not a good decision.

When Mr. Hoody surfaced there was heck to pay. With his bill wide open, he attack the larger bird.

Almost chasing him up on the bank right below my blind.

Later when a female Red-breasted got too close, it also was driven off by the angry boyfriend.

One time he went after both a female and male Red-breasted. The female dove to get out of his way while the male peeked up for a breath before diving again.

As I was leaving, the master of the fishing hole, proudly displayed hoping the female will soon be ready for his advances. But once she starts sitting on their eggs, he will be gone, pursuing other chicks or playful activities. He will not be around to help with the children.

Four hours spent in Heaven in the wilds of Idaho.

Snowy spring break.

2011-04-08T20:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday and today was my spring break from school. WOW - time for birding and looking for some bikinis. No bikinis; not many birds, but enough to keep me interested.

Here a female Great-horned owl protects her eggs as the night snow covers everything.

Common mergansers fly along the shore of Mud Lake.

A Western Meadowlark tries to bring some warmth to the cold day by singing.

A Red-breasted Merganser hunts for fish for lunch.

Meanwhile nearby a Hooded Merganser also hunts for lunch.

A flock of snowgeese join others on Mud Lake.

And in a evening snowstorm, a pair Sandhill cranes walk down the dike near Mud Lake.

A great way to spend spring break in Idaho.

Evening at Camas National Wildlife Refuge

2011-04-07T18:02:00.000-07:00

While birding this week at Camas National Wildlife Refuge, an water oasis in the Idaho desert, the sun peaked through the clouds lighting up the Sawtooth Mountains to the west. Meeting were scheduled and I had to leave before the sun set, but the light, snow, shadows and mountains thrilled and inspired me.

A great wat to finish an afternoon in the wilds of Idaho.

See other great sky pictures at http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Stormy sunset

2011-04-01T20:17:00.000-07:00

Tonight as I was waiting and waiting for the snow geese to show up (the didn't) I did manage to watch and photograph a few other birds, but the sunset was stunning. Camas NWR is my home away from home in the spring.

I almost waited too long to record the end of another wild day in Idaho.

Midge hatch feeds birds

2011-03-28T18:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday I drove to Henrys Lake to check on spawning fish and on the way home I decided to check the Henrys Fork for birds. Midges were hatching by the millions and were all over the snow.

The first birds I noticed were European Starlings feeding on the midges.

A little further down the road I found what I was looking for - waxwings. About 100 Bohemian and Cedar were sitting in the bushes, flying out to pick off the hatching midges. Only a few of them were Cedar's while the majority were these beautiful Bohemians.

At times I would catch one "sallying" or hoovering long enough to pick of the flying insects. Robins and Mountain Bluebirds were joining the waxwing in the feast.

What a great sight to see, spending a few hours in the wilds of Idaho.

Sunset between storms

2011-03-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while chasing migrating waterfowl around Southeastern Idaho during storms, the sun decided to set and tell me good night. Another storm was rolling in as I headed home.

A great view to end another wild day in Idaho.

Big birding day.

2011-03-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

This morning I left the house at 6:30 with two goals - find the snow geese and see if I can find some sage grouse. The roads out to the sage grouse leks are still blocked but as I pulled into Camas National Wildlife Refuge three grouse were flying over the pond.
The ponds are filling with water, but the snow geese have not found it yet. The trumpeter swan and pintails have.

Did not find any snow geese at the refuge, so I headed for Mud Lake. This Red-tailed hawk was hunting in a field where about half of the snow was gone.

About two mile east of Mud Lake I finally found the snow geese. There were not a lot of them, but they were a sight for sore eyes. They were coming in on small waves.

One group had a White-fronted goose with them. It is only the third one I seen.

At Mud Lake I found this nesting in a bunch of Russian olives.

For my last stop I headed to Market Lake. It was still ice covered, but west of the freeway the fields were flooded by melting snow and covered with migrating Northern Pintails, Widgeon, Mallards and Northern Shovelers.

Nine hours of birding produced 49 species of birds and seven species of animals. A great way to spend a wild day in Idaho.

Sunrise

2011-03-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

With all the storms rolling it both morning and evening, it makes for some interesting sunsets and sunrises. Here is a sunrise I caught this week on my way to school.

A great way to start another wild day in Idaho.

See other great pictures of the sky at http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Last ice fishing trip?????

2011-03-06T06:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I may have finished my ice fishing at Ririe Reservoir for the year. The ice is still a safe 12 inches deep, but it is starting to crystalize and the four wheelers have broken the ice at the docks for about 12 out from the bank. That along with a three-day seminar that I am incharge of next weekend, may cause me to put up my gear for the year.

It was a great day, as I was able to land about 15 kokanee and ended up with my limit. They will taste good.

On the way home, just outside of the town of Ririe, I saw flocks of Trumpeter swan and Canada geese that were using a pond created by the melting snow. In the spring waterfowl will feed heavily in these stubble fields before migrating north. We should have snow geese showing up any day now. When the snow geese come in, it is one impressive sight. I will keep you posted.

Just another great day in the wilds of Idaho.

SkyWatch Friday - Fishing sunset

2011-03-03T19:35:00.000-08:00

On the way home from ice fishing on Ririe Reservoir, the sun was just snuggling into it slumber for the night. Deer were enjoying the view as I passed them, but it was too dark for me to capture them. Sunsets are created by impurities in the air; short lived, but beautiful.

Just the close of another wild day in Idaho.

See other pictures of the sky at http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Winter hangs on - Will it ever end?

2011-02-27T16:33:00.000-08:00

Went ice fishing yesterday again and the temperature was below zero. I set up the ice house so I would relax, take naps, hide from Scout Troops and hopefully catch some fish. I was successful on all accounts.

By mid morning I had my six kokanee, but none of the huge ones I got the week before.

As I was leaving several people recognized me and we talked fishing and ice conditions. The ice is still a solid 14 inches deep and still growing. This week are are predicted to get snow, rain and warmer tempatures.

The deer will be happy so see some of the snow leave also. On my way home I snapped this picture of mule deer digging stubble out of the snow. Hopefully they will make it.

I had a great day enjoying the wilds of Idaho for another day.

SkyWatch Friday - hunting eagle

2011-02-24T12:47:00.000-08:00

Last week, before the two storms, while ice fishing Ririe Reservoir a Bald eagle flew over the hill looking for discarded trash fish for a meal. I was sorry I did not have one to give it.

It was a mature large one that circled me several times.

See other great pictures of the sky at http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Snow Birds

2011-02-21T04:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning I got up to six inches of snow and the birds were having a hard time finding a perch. Each time they tried to land, the snow would give way and down they would come, birdy, snow and all. Finally there were enough bare branches for them to gain some footing. Here a male Housefinch is able to perch close to my blind.

A male Lesser Goldfinch is a bright spot in a snow-covered world.

As the day progressed a blizzard blew in and over a hundred birds, American Goldfinch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrows, flickers, Downy Woodpeckers, Pine Siskins, Eurasian Collared Doves, Starlings, Sharp-shinned hawks and these Housefinch all came to eat. They emptied my feeders twice and the hawks harvested a few of the munchers.

A great day to observe nature in the Wilds of Idaho.

SkyWatch Friday - cold sunset

2011-02-17T12:49:00.000-08:00

Cold evenings create a beautiful sunset during February. We are just waiting for warmer weather to create more orange sunsets over Rexburg.

Happy Valentines Day - bird style

2011-02-14T15:36:00.000-08:00

Last week I noticed three Downy, one Hairy woodpeckers and a couple of Northern Flickers in my backyard chasing each other around. A male and female Downy would land near each other on the cottonwoods and spruce. At first the female was quite coy and seemed to be flirting with the male. She would hide behind a branch and peer out at him from behind it.

Every once in a while she would look out from the branch at him. Just like a couple of teenagers in the halls of my high school as a budding relationship starts.

Finally she got aggressive and chased him from tree to tree. In the fading light it was too dark for me to catch the action. She finally tired of the games and went to the black walnut tree to look for food.

While he searched the cottonwoods for some hidden treats that some of the chickadees had stored. He found a sunflower seed and harvested the meat from it.

As the sun set, he left for the heavy wooded area while she followed closely behind. They have been back several times and it appears that the dating is in full swing - just in time for Valentine's Day.

What a great way to end a day in the wilds of Idaho.

SkyWatch Friday - Foggy Sunset

2011-01-27T13:06:00.000-08:00

We have been having a lot of fog and freezing rain here in Rexburg. This week the setting sun colored the foggy ground with a golden haze.

Just another ending to a wonderful wild day in Idaho.

See more sky pictures at http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Back again.

2011-01-23T16:14:00.000-08:00

Got a phone call today asking me if I had died. No, I am still alive, but very busy. Taking tickets at wrestling and basketball four or five nights a week, planning activities for the grant, teaching, filling an order for 14 rustic chairs and getting some fishing done, has taking its toll on my time. I have been getting pictures of backyard birds, but have not been out searching for them.

The Lesser Goldfinch in my backyard has been really interesting for me. The male has not been very coopertive for me, but I did get a few acceptable pictures.

Mountain Chickadees have also been flocking to my feeders. This is the first year I have had these show up. The Black-capped still outnumber them, but their personalities are a little different from them. They are sure fun to watch.

A few moments of wildness in Idaho.

Winter Goldfinch

2011-01-02T06:02:00.000-08:00

The temperature is below zero and everything is frozen except - Goldfinches fighting over my nyjer socks. They need a traffic controller, but it is too cold. Here they fight over position at the breakfast table.

Fighting over a tiny seed is common.

Others fly in to join the feeding frenzy.

Mid air battles resemble the dog-fights of World War II.

After most of the American Goldfinch leaves, a lone one is joined by a Lesser Goldfinch. Lessers are very uncommon to Rexburg. But I have had about six hanging around the last week.

Just another wild day in Idaho to celebrate.

Owl Attack

2010-12-26T10:20:00.000-08:00

Friday afternoon I ran out to see if I could find some Long-eared owls at Market Lake. I found some pellets, but no owls. I was able to locate three Great-horned owls and enjoyed working them. The male owl decided I had gotten close enough. Here he gives me a warning by snapping his beak.

I back up a few paces continuing to take pictures - it was not enough.

Swooping down he almost gets my hat before he pulls up on his attack. I gave him plenty of room the rest of the day.

Just another hair-raising experience in the Wilds of Idaho.

I hope all of you had a Merry and safe Christmas and are looking forward to the new year.

SkyWatch Friday - Stormy sunrise

2010-12-16T12:40:00.000-08:00

Storms, storms and more storms continue to roll in. Sometimes the sun gets a chance to peek through the cloud either in the morning or evening. Tuesday morning as I was leaving for school, we had a beautiful sunrise to celebrate another snow/rain storm moving in. This was taken from my back steps.

Half way to school I captured this scene.

A great way to start another wild day in Idaho.

See other sky pictures at http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Wildlife at Howe

2010-12-12T18:46:00.000-08:00

On my way home from fishing Mackey Reservoir ( see http://billschiessfishing.blogspot.com/ for that story) I spent about 30 minutes looking at the raptors and other wildlife near Howe, Idaho.

Several people feel Howe may support the largest number of raptors during the winter in the state of Idaho or even the nation. In 30 minutes I counted 78 hawks and 12 eagles. The most numerous were the Roughlegged hawk that have just migrated from the Artic Circle. Here is a beautiful one working a hay field.

Golden eagles were perched on hay stacks and sprinkler lines while Bald eagles were feeding on a few sheep and antelope carcusses around the area.

Herds of antelope filled the fields along the road. I estimate there were about 1000 pronghorns in a nine mile stretch.

A great way to end another wild day in Idaho.

Backyard birds

2010-12-05T17:02:00.000-08:00

With a foot of snow on the gound, the songbirds left around my yard is always looking for food. Today with the warmer weather, they were still emptying my feeders.

Black-capped chickadees are very numberous. Here one leaves its perch to attack the sunflower seeds.

The niger seed sack was a battleground for the American Goldfinch.

Here a Housefinch tries to crack a captured sunflower seed.

Just another wild day in Idaho.

SkyWatch Friday - Winter sunset

2010-12-02T20:02:00.000-08:00

Storm after storm after storm has rolled through Idaho in the last 10 days. But several evening had a little clearing - enough to harvest some beautiful sunsets. This was one of them taken from my back yard near Rexburg, with a foot of snow on the ground.

The end of another wild day in Idaho.

Trumpeter swans on the Henrys Fork

2010-11-28T06:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday while coming back from ice fishing Henrys Lake, the Henrys Fork of the Snake River was full on migrating trumpeter swans. Here two adults (white ones) tend a flock of seven young ones.

Groups from two to nine continually drop in to join the 200 already on the water.

Here four come in for a landing.

Two pair of adults start arguing over the you five juveniles. Reminded me of some divorced humans fighting for custody.

A lot of yelling, flapping of wings and raising all heck.

The fight finally increases coming to blows and bites while the kids start sounding off.

Other adults arrive to calm the situation as the two pair are separated.

A half hour was way too short to watch this great action movie, but it was a great way to spend a little time in the wilds of Idaho.

SkyWatch Friday - Sundog

2010-11-25T19:54:00.000-08:00

After three days of blizzards, Thanksgiving Eve was clear and cold. As my wife and I came home of picking up our repaired snowblower, we were amazed at the beautiful sundog. Sundogs are made much like summer rainbows are. Only a sundog is created by the sun shining through ice crystals instead of raindrops.

A great way to end another wild day in Idaho.

See other great sky pictures at http://skyley.blogspot.com/.

SkyWatch Friday - Snow sunset

2010-11-11T13:17:00.000-08:00

About a foot of snow fell in the Moody Mountains and I spent Tuesday evening getting stuck and unstuck, but the view was absolutely beautiful. Here is the sky just as the snow storm was leaving.

And here is the sky after the clouds had cleared and the sun was setting over Rexburg.

A beautiful was to end another wild day in Idaho.

See other pictures of the sky at http://skyley.blogspot.com/

SkyWatch Friday - Sunset after the storm

2010-11-04T20:59:00.000-07:00

Last weekend after a day of rain and snow, the sun colored the western sky over southeastern Idaho with brilliant colors. This was taken from the Moody Mountains east of Rexburg of the buttes on the Big Desert.

A great way to end another wild day in Idaho.

See other sky pictures at http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Mountain Happiness

2010-10-31T21:03:00.000-07:00

My friend came up with this saying: "If you are lucky enough to be in the mountians; you are lucky enough." I agree and since my wife wants me to get an elk to eat this winter, I have been spending evenings and weekends in the mountians. All the elk have escaped me, but this week I have seen over 30 moose. It is breeding time and there are usually numerous bulls with the cows. Here is a cow with a lazy bull sleeping behind her.

I have seen over 20 deer. If you look close you can see four in this picture alone.

But the most thrilling were four more Great Grey owls and two Great-horned owls that I saw this week. That makes nine Great Greys that I have seen in a week. The most for me ever during a fall or winter. Usually they work the old clear cuts that have some patches of grass for them to hunt rodents in.

Sorry for the sideways picture on this one, I just could not get it to straighten up. But this one was successful as it has a gopher in its right talons.

What an exciting week. Five partial or full days to spend in the wilds of Idaho.

Great Grey owls - five of them.

2010-10-23T19:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I hit the jackpot - I observed five of them. I flushed on out of some scattered pines.

Two others soon joined it.

They were working an area with scattered pines and aspen

I was finally able to sneak up behind several pines to get about 30 feet away from this one and get this shot through the trees.

It finally flew off with the other two.

As I was coming out of the mountains, I found a pair of them hunting the CRP ground about four miles from the other owls. The light was bad but I was able to get this shot after it harvested a rodent.

Its mate continued to fly over me as it hunted the same area.

By the way, I spent today looking for the five and I found all five of them again.

What a great way to end another wild day in Idaho.

Fishing Henrys again

2010-10-17T20:37:00.000-07:00

With rain and snow predicted at Henrys Lake, I still ran up to get a few hours in. We thought the storm would roll in about 11, but it rolled in about 9.

I got there early and had caught eight cutts before the sun started to come over the eastern skyline. The clouds were rolling in, but a beautiful eastern sky made catching fish a little more enjoyable.

Before the weather chased me off, I was able to fish next to some fishing friends. Dave from Utah who is "Utah's Greatest Olympic Diver" (another story for another time) and Garth from Burley, Idaho, helped me laugh about some old experiences. A very enjoyable few hours.

The cutthroats were willing as I caught a total of 14 for the morning before I headed in to protect my camera from the rain and snow.

Another wild day in Idaho.

SkyWatch Friday - Harvest sunset.

2010-10-14T05:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening I decided to go scouting for elk. I saw two elk, two Ruffed grouse, three wolves, a golden eagle and six moose.

Here are two dating moose.

Then they start kissing!!!!!

As I was driving out of the mountains, the sun was just setting. The dust from the potato harvest along with the thin clouds in the sky, made for a wonderful sunset.

A great way to end a beautiful sunshine filled day in the wilds of Idaho.

Fishing with moose and coots.

2010-10-10T14:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, my son-in-law, Jesse, and I went fishing on Henrys Lake. We had a wonderful time and the full report can be found on http://billschiessfishing.blgspot.com/. We got some spawning brook trout and saw some amazing wildlife. Here is a male spawning brooktrout over five pounds that Jesse caught.

Canada geese flew over us several times.

Coots were working the shore and we saw seven moose along the shoreline. Here is a young bull that was feeding in the willows as we were fishing.

Just another great day in the wilds of Idaho.

SkyWatch Friday - storms

2010-10-06T20:32:00.000-07:00

When clouds start rolling in mid afternoon, you might just camp out in a scenic place to see what happens.

Storms started rolling in during the afternoon today with a few sprinkles.

Then as evening came, a break in the clouds allowed the sunlight to sneak through, coloring the western sky. I stayed outside until all the light was gone.

Another verson:

The end of a really wild day in Idaho.

See other great sky pictures at: http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Church Conference Sunday

2010-10-03T12:01:00.000-07:00

I slept in until 6:30 today but was still greeted by the sun as it peeked over the Tetons. The impurities in the air colored it a brilliant orange.

I decided to go for a drive out to Market Lake, but the duck season opened yesterday and there were more hunters than birds. West of Market Lake and the freeway, I found a newly baled hay field with 19 hawks in it. Swainson's, kestrels, Ferruginous and the Red-tails that have started moving down out of the mountains were all killing gophers and mice.

I watched as a pair of Swainson's were trying to teach two immatures how to harvest gophers. Here one of the adults carries a gopher out in the field to drop it.

The other adult yells at the youngster (and me) to get going.

Both parents chase after the Red-tails that were trying to get it, but eventually the immature Swainson's gets it before one of the Red-tails comes back to the post.

Then the parents try to chase the other youngster off its perch to try to get it hunting, but like a lot of stubborn children, it is easier for mom and dad to provide.

Just another wild day in Idaho. I make it back home by 10a.m. for the Conference broadcast.

SkyWatch Friday - Henrys Lake sunrise

2010-09-30T14:12:00.000-07:00

We have been having unseasonably warm weather with very few clouds in the sky. Last Saturday as I was getting on Henrys Lake for some fishing, the sun slowly colored the few early morning clouds.

With the weather the weather predicted to change this weekend, we will see a lot more clouds and more colorful sunsets and sunrises. Just the beginning of a wild day in Idaho.

See other great sky pictures at http://skyley.blogspot.com/.

Beautiful Saturday

2010-09-26T20:10:00.000-07:00

After a busy three weeks, I finally got a Saturday to hit the lake and mountains. After fishing, see http://billschiessfishing.blogspot.com/) and helping get a load of wood, I went for a drive to enjoy nature.

This pelican harassed me while catching fish.

Saw this beautiful butterfly.

Songbirds were feed on the ripe hawthorne berries.

And the trees are putting on their their gilded colors before they become barren before snow flies.

Enjoying the wildness of Idaho on a very sunny day.

SkyWatch Friday - Teton River sunset

2010-09-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

Predicted storms never materialized this week, but the clouds created great sunsets.

Just the end of another wild day in Idaho.

Check out other great sky photos at http://skyley.blogspot.com/.

R and R with the birds

2010-09-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

After a hard week dealing with Homecoming at school and in charge of a seminar for the Teaching American History Grant all day Satureday (it was outstanding with Peter Henriques, author of Realistic Visionary, discussing George Washington), I needed some R and R. So out to Market Lake to look for migrating birds I went.

Immature Swainson's hawks were everywhere looking for food. Here is one that was harassing a bunch of sparrows in a thicket.

Flocks of Canada geese were in stubble fields and ponds alike.

Then I got to the thickets that housed the Great-horned owls.

In the next line of brush, I saw 9 Long-eared owls.

Then on the way home I caught this Swainson's having dinner.

Probably a nest-mate of it come in to try to steal a snack before it was gone.

I loved the R and R enjoying the down time with the birds of the area. Just the end of another wild week in Idaho.

SkyWatch Friday - Mud volleyball (wrestling).

2010-09-16T20:51:00.000-07:00

This week is homecoming week at Madison High School in Rexburg. I am still in charge of the homecoming activities - a job really don't enjoy, but try to do well.

Tuesday night was Mud Volleyball, but it usually is more wrestling than volleyball. Here is one of my favorite pictures of the evening.

Then after cleaning up, I was leaving after all the kids were gone and the sun was setting, I was pleased to witness the setting sun.

After the sun set I captured this single strand of grass seeds creating this silhouette against the sun.

Just the end of another wild day in Idaho.

See other great sky pictures at http://skyley.blogspot.com/.

Poop equals food.

2010-09-11T20:49:00.000-07:00

"Some people's garbage is other's treasures," I have heard throughout my life. But coyote poop for food? Last week on a drive through the mountains, every pile of coyote poop I found was covered with butterflies.

Now I am not good at butterfly names, but these must be finding something they like in this pile of leftovers. I wonder if it gives them their color. Now this pile attracks more blues and flies than the orange ones.

Now this one's diet is more to my liking and it is beautiful.

Just a little bit of the wildness of Idaho.

SkyWatch Friday - Sunset over Swan Lake

2010-09-09T05:15:00.000-07:00

While taking an evening drive this week, the sunset over Swan Lake in Island Park was more yellow than orange. But the silhouetted of the trees enhanced and made it appealing.

Another end of a wild day in Idaho.

Busy Saturday

2010-09-05T08:19:00.000-07:00

After watching four grandchildren run in a fun run, I headed for Sand Creek Ponds to work on a story about banana trout. The turkey vultures were staging to migrate and I saw 17 of them soaring as I drove to the lakes.

I interviewed this lady who had caught a nice rainbow, but no bananas. They had seen some swim by, but could not catch them.

So I rigged up my fly rod with a small nymph and moved to an area void of fishermen. The banana trout would follow my fly and finally one would take it.

They were small, about six to eight inches, and were easy to see in the water and even the ospreys got into the act and caught them.

Just another wild day in Idaho.

SkyWatch Friday - Fall River

2010-09-03T04:29:00.000-07:00

On my way back from delivering fishing flies to some businesses and fishing for a couple of hours, the sun had just set and this was the scene as I crossed the Fall River bridge near Chester, Idaho.

Just the end of another wild day in Idaho.

See other pictures of the sky at http:skyley.blogspot.com.

SkyWatch Friday - Sunset after wrestling with fish.

2010-08-12T06:45:00.000-07:00

Just got back from a sturgeon fishing trip with the sun setting on a beauful and memorable day. Here the sun is setting over the Snake River below the JC Strike Reservoir near Mountain Home.

It was the end of a wonderful day when I caught the largest fish of my life.

See the full story about that at http://billschiessfishing.blogspot.com/.

See other great pictures of the sky at http://skyley.blogspot.com/.

Beula Lake - What a treat until....

2010-08-08T20:37:00.000-07:00

Beula Lake, just a two and a half mile hike from Grassy Lake on the Yellowstone Park border, is a beautiful lake visited by many different animals and birds.

Saturday as I topped the ridge above the aqua colored lake, I was stopped short as I heard loons on the lake being answered by two spike bull elk trying to answer the loons. It sounded like a bunch of fourth grade students on the first day of band class.

As I got the the edge of the lake, I was greeted by a rain shower creating a faint rainbow in the west.

The fishing was super in the early going, and you can read that report on my other blog, http://billschiessfishing.blogspot.com/. Soon one of the loons decided to visit me to see if it could help me.

It spooked the fish for a few minutes and I was unsuccessful, but they soon started hitting again. After enjoying my solitude, a group of friends arrived just as two troops of Boy Scouts also showed up. Dogs brought were turned loose to run around and it was time for me to leave. It was time for more hiking and taking pictures of flowers.

Here are a few of the flowers I saw and got pictures of. Can you name them?

Just another wild day for an old, bald man from Idaho.

SkyWatch Friday - Parade sunset

2010-08-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

After watching the parade for the International Dance Festival last Monday night and mowing my mother-in-law's lawn, this beautiful sunset ended another wild day in Idaho.

See other beautiful pictures of the sky at http://skyley.blogspot.com/

SkyWatch Friday - Rainbow and storm

2010-07-29T19:25:00.000-07:00

After a great day of fishing on Henrys Lake and after getting a load of firewood, I planned on fishing during the evening. Four foot waves and lightning accompanied by thunder stopped me from heading out on the water.

But as the storm passed just as the sun was setting we were greeted by a fantastic rainbow reflected off the water.

A little later as the sun had set, it reflected off the boiling clouds over Mount Jefferson on the southwest of Henrys Lake.

An unplanned way to end another wild day in Idaho.

See other great sky pictures at http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Ospreys at work

2010-07-25T18:52:00.000-07:00

Most of the oprey nests are showing baby activity now. But once you get close they hide in the big nests they have built on perches built for them. One of those nests are just five miles away from my home and I have enjoyed watching them.

Here the female brings a stick to add to the nest even though the baby has hatched. Maybe they continue building to keep the baby from rolling out of the nest.

While I am a long ways away, the male brings a fish to the female to feed. You can just see the baby's head above the sticks of the nest

Several hours later, the male bring home a large sucker, probably for both the female and the baby.

Later, the female flies around exercising her wings.

Just another day in the wildness of Idaho.

SkyWatch - Beginning and end of a fishing day.

2010-07-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the sunrise starting a fishing day and the sunset, closing it is a good as the catching part of the day. I try to time my trip to Henrys Lake so that I will catch the sunrise on the Buffalo River or the Henrys Fork. Here is the sunrise early one morning last week as I was heading fishing.

Then after a successful day of fishing, interrupted by a nap and getting a load of firewood for the winter. The setting sun bid me farewell as it went to bed.

Just another wild day in Idaho.

Moose

2010-07-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

Last week on a two day fishing trip to Henrys Lake, I spent an afternoon on the Henrys Fork looking for photo opportunities. There were plenty, but the most interesting to me was a cow and calf moose trying to cross the river between tubers and all manner of people in floating devices.

Mama moose become quite concerned as the calf got into some deep water and started bleeting.

She worked closer to the calf and turned toward me with the calf coming behind her. I slipped behind some pines to watch and photograph the action.

After the calf was in shallower water, the cow decided it was time to drink and eat. I found it interesting that she would drink and then eat.

With her mouth full of moss, she would let the water drain out. I wondered why she did not eat and drink at the same time.

They finally made it to shore, gave me a parting glance and headed into the thick willows.

A floatila of floaters were then able to float on down the river, not having to worry about an angry mother protecting her baby.

Just another few moments experiencing the wildness of Idaho.

Range Fire

2010-07-14T06:02:00.000-07:00

Awesome sights are created by impurities in the air. Yesterday a range fire started west of Idaho Falls about 2:30 with winds whipping up about 40 to 50 mph. Here are some of the images I took.

Here the plumb of smoke frames the Teton Peaks. This picture is looking southeast.

Here I took a picture of the St. Anthony Sand Dunes. Everything was colored an eery orange or brown depending the thickness of the smoke.

Here the sun tries to shine through the smoke.

Here the sun filters through the smoke as the trees are still being whipped by 30 mph winds. This morning the winds had calmed to 5 to 10 mph with the fire still burning.

A beautiful but a destructive way to end another wild day in Idaho.

Yellowstone Park - bears, elk, cousins and a wonderful day

2010-07-11T19:50:00.000-07:00

Our Utah kids came to visit us last week and we did a lot of fishing and playing. On Friday we took three car loads into Yellowstone Park and spent about 15 hours in the park experiencing the beauties of it.

Our first memorable experience was meeting up with three beautiful bull elk. Here are two of the three in velvet.

Mud pots are not that interesting to me, unless some cousins are walking in front of Grandad enjoying the experience of the mud pots together.

We also saw a wolf - too far for any pictures - and four black bear. Here is the first one we saw.

The day ended watching a cow elk cross the Madison River followed closely by a new-born calf. At times all you could see was the calf's ears sticking out of the water.

Just another wild day in the life of this Idahoan. And of course, we saw a lot of buffalo and people.

Burrowing owls - another beautiful show on earth.

2010-07-04T20:28:00.000-07:00

Sitting in a blind for three hours in the hot sun is not fun unless you have some hot action that you are watching. And hot action it was - seven baby Burrowing owls was intertaining for me as I watched them do all kinds of stuff. I shot a total of 1200 photos in the three hours.

Here all seven of the owletts are outside the burrow looking for what trouble they can get into. The one on the right has caught a beetle and is eating it.

One little guy does not like the heat of the sun and is always trying to get in the shade of a sibling.

Everytime a bird or a plane would fly over they would watch the sky intently. Here all four that were out of the nest watches a plane fly over.

When the parents who usually sat on a nearby sage, would sound the alarm, all would head down the burrow.

Here one little guy tries out its wings, while another one watches and gives advise from the back seat. Just like a bunch of teen-agers.

Spending just another day in the wilds of Idaho. Entertainment at its finest.

Summer sunset

2010-07-01T19:26:00.000-07:00

Last week while coming home from fishing, the sun was setting in the west between two storms. I caught the sun between them as it was headed to bed.

A great way to end another wild day in Idaho.

House fight - a Battle for a Home

2010-06-29T05:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the day was too hot for great fishing on Henrys Lake, so on my way home I was taking pictures of some birds. Many of the old Bluebird nest boxes have been taken over by Tree Swallows. But a new one had been placed on a pole and the Mountain Bluebirds had a nest of babies there. The male was guarding the nest while the female came in with some food for the young.

One of the pair would stay perched on the house while the other went for food.

Once when both left for food, a Tree Swallow came and landed on the nest box. It appeared that its mate

tried to tell it that the box was occupied.

They actually got into a fight with them locking bills and the aggressor clawing the other with its feet.

But the swallow wanting the nest box was not convinced until it was attacked by the male bluebird.

The battle was claw and bill combat, but I was unable to stop the action or catch up to them. But the male continued to fly sorties around the nest box.

He finally landed as the female brought in some food for the babies.

He stayed guard until the babies were fed and the female left the nest box.

This battle over a home between the bluebirds and the swallows happened three times while I watched for a half an hour.

Just another experience in the wilds of Idaho.

Outdoor Class- June 25

2010-06-27T13:58:00.000-07:00

I took and helped teach an outdoor class on June 23-25. On June 25, we studied wildflowers in the Big Hole Mountains and Teton Canyon. Here are a few of the beautiful flowers we saw. See if you can identify them.

Number 1.

Number 2:

Number 3:

Number 4:

Number 5:

And my favorite:

And to end another wild day in Idaho, we were greeted by this "four-eared" moose.

Fishing and birding in Island Park

2010-06-16T14:37:00.000-07:00

I have posted a fishing report on http://www.billschiessfishing.blogspot.com/ for this week so far. But on Monday after fishing I worked my way down through Island Park looking for birds. Had a great time.

I found some beautiful Yellow Warblers and here are a couple of pictures of them. Here it is flying out to pick off an insect.

And here one is warbling its head off.

Here is a tern, not sure which one, but I think it is a Caspian tern, looking for fish on the Henrys Fork.

As I came off the water from fishing on Henrys Lake, I was greeted by this Black-crowned Night Heron.

I also found this Mountain Bluebird on the shore of the Henrys Fork.

Catching my share of fish and then finding some great birds, what a great day to spend in the wilds of Idaho.

Week of Birding

2010-06-05T20:36:00.000-07:00

Starting last Saturday, I have had an awesome week of birding. I have birded with some of the top birders of Idaho, learned a ton, saw rare birds, saw odd behaviors and recorded several lifetime birds. Thanks has to go to Robert, Cliff, Harry, Steve, and Darren for teaching me and helping me identify birds I have never recorded before.

Rain and wind kept me off the water and fishing, so I traveled around Southeastern Idaho . I birded in Camas NWR, Mud Lake WMA, Market Lake WMA and Moody Creek area. Here are a few pictures of some of my birds.

This Great Blue Heron had speared a catfish and couldn't flip it in the air to eat it. Hopefully it was able to get it off for dinner.

Here is an Eared Grebe trying to entice a young lady to set up housekeeping with him.

Here is a Yellowheaded Blackbird flirting with a bunch a females showing one of his better sides.

One of my rare finds was this Lewis's Woodpecker that at first I thought was a Robin. But what a beauty.

And of course, not week would be complete for me without an owl or two or three or four different species. I saw Burrowing, Great Horned, Great Gray, Short-eared and Long-eared owls. I guess that makes five species. Here is a picture of some baby Long-eareds - yes, they can fly.

What a great week to get soaked many times in the wilds of Idaho. By the way, I leave tomorrow morning for a week in New Orleans, so I will see you then.

Memorial Weekend means fishing.

2010-05-31T19:44:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I fished for the first time since March and it was the first fly fishing of the season for me. It was rainy and cold or should I say it was rainy-snow and cold. I had most of Island Park Reservoir to myself and a few fish were hitting. The surprise of the day was an 18 inch brook trout that hit my Beadhead Electric Leech.

Getting soaked three times in two hours was not that much fun, but the seven fish caught was a great way to spend another wild day in Idaho.

Snow again

2010-05-23T04:20:00.000-07:00

After the heat in Alabama, I was glad to get back to the coolness of Idaho - but not this cool!!!

I had to go to Island Park to deliver fishing flies to several businesses and it snowed on me all day. I did find a few birds braving the cold and picking hatching flies of the water like this Yellow Warbler.

A flock of Yellow-rumped warblers as the snow fell near Staley Springs.

On the way home, I even found a few Glacier lilies blooming in the forest.

Even with the cold, it was a great day in the wilds of Idaho.

SkyWatch Friday - Snow storm

2010-05-06T20:11:00.000-07:00

May 6, and we woke up to snow on the ground - only about half a inch but it was snow. I am ready for summer so next week I will be heading for Birmingham, Alabama, for six days. Not for pleasure, but for work.

This evening after the snow had melted and it was still trying to spit on us, I got this picture of the sun trying to sneak through the clouds as it was setting.

The walk along the Henrys Fork of the Snake River was a great way to end another wild day in Idaho.

View other great pictures of the sky at http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Back again

2010-05-02T20:19:00.000-07:00

Busy, busy, busy. Missed my first year anniversery blogging on May 1, but first things must come first. I still found time to go birding and photographing.

I have been following the progress of a Great-horned owl nest with two owlets that hatched early in April. Last week during a strong wind, one of the owlets fell out of the nest. Last week I found it in the crotch of a tree about 12 feet off the ground.

Above the owlet was the male or father standing guard over it about four feet above it.

As I watched from a distance, I watched as a Northern Harrier attack the chick and the male drove it off. Meanwhile the mother and the other chick remained close to the nest. The chick with the mother is almost twice as large as the one that fell out.

Is it by design the youngsters need two parents? Could the one with the mother be larger because of the nurturing? I watched as a snow shower came through. The mother climbed in the nest to protect it while the male did not protect the other one. I did not see either one of the chicks being fed, but does the mother have the ability to feed better than the male.

Just some thoughs about life and studying in the wilds in Idaho.

SkyWatch Friday - More storms

2010-04-23T05:27:00.000-07:00

More storms continue to roll through Idaho. The only difference is that rain is falling instead of snow. But it is needed and the grass is now greening up. Usually the we get a break in the evenings as the sun try to break through the clouds as it is setting over the Henrys Fork of the Snake River.

The end of another wild day in Idaho.

Check out other sky pictures as http://skyley.blogspot.com/.

More Sharptailed grouse

2010-04-20T21:27:00.000-07:00

Hit the Sharptailed grouse leks this morning and saw over 30 of them. Another great show - but no fight up close to get pictures of. First came the displays, dancing and posturing.

This fellow came the closest to me and you can see some of the battle scars on his purple air sacks from the fights.

The dance includes the stomping of feet, rubbing the two middle tail feathers together while the tail is held high, puffing out the purple air sacks on the neck and extending the bright yellow combs on the head, spreading the wings and dancing in circles. All this to attract the females. Show-offs.

Here a hen comes in and surveys the 20 males looking for a suitable mate. Breeding happens so fast with Sharptails, that by the time you realize something is happening it is over. I have never been able to capture the breeding being done.

After the sun came up, a young male tried to horn in on the dominate males near the middle of the lek. First one of the older males would chase him, running through the thick dead grass or flying after him. I was lucky enough to capture a couple of these chases.

Another.....

Just another great start of a wild day in Idaho.

Sharptailed grouse are at it again.

2010-04-18T19:06:00.000-07:00

The Sharptailed grouse are at it again. Chasing the girls and fighting over bragging and breeding rights. With their tails held high, looking like popcorn exploding, they are not hard to find once you get into their area. The beating of the ground with their feets and their calls can be heard for a quarter of a mile. Most of the battles are short but occasionally a battle over the center of the lek can be several minutes long. I just witnessed one such battle last week.

It started with a challenger attacking the dominate bird on the lek.

The fierce battle ensued. They locked bills, not unlike a lustful Hollywood french kiss, with both bodies twisting trying to gain control over the opponent.

Soon after the "kiss" broke up, both bird would fly into the air beating each other with their wings. At one time, both locked onto the left wing of the other with such violence I thought we might end up with a broken wing - but they survived without anything broken.

To end the battle, the dominent bird "pinned" the challenger, by flipping it on its back.

To escape the fierce battle, the losser flew to the hood of my truck, resting there for a couple of minutes before it realized there may be danger inside.

Meanwhile, the victor rested on the ground showing the feathers of honor still in its beak, daring any other bird stupid enough to challenge him.

What a way to start another wild day in Idaho. Two hours of sex and violence beating the heck out of any TV show or movie I have seen - except for some recent Sage grouse shows.

SkyWatch Friday - Sunset over the Henrys Fork

2010-04-15T16:57:00.000-07:00

It has been a week of storms with four inches of snow on Tuesday. Wednesday night the storm started to break and this was the sunset over the Henrys Fork of the Snake River.

A great view of the wildness of Idaho.

See other great sky pictures from around the world at http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Sage Grouse Lek

2010-04-10T18:22:00.000-07:00

Great morning. I got to the sage grouse lek at 5:15 this morning and 10 minutes later the grouse started arriving. First the males with their flowing white collars and then while it was still dark the cackling hens arrived. The hens that were ready to be bred arrived first. I did get four poor pictures with the aid of my flash to get some breeding pictures. Here is one of them. This cock bred six of the seven hens I witnessed being bred. Data says that 10 per cent of the cocks do 90% of the breeding.

As it got lighter, I started getting pictures of the displaying males around me. Here is a non-breeder just east of me as the sun rose, the sun lighting up his fanned tail feathers.

The dominant cock of the lek was surrounded by 11 hens after the sun came up. Here he is with three of them. None of them squatted and spread her wings indicating a willingness to be bred.

I thought this hen would eventually welcome his advances while the sun was shining, but it would not happen. All of his displaying was wasted.

After all the hens wandered off into the sagebrush, the dominant male displayed for 30 minutes trying to entice them back to the lek. Here is a series of his display. First he sucks in a big breath of air.

Then he puffs out his chest air sacks a little.

He then rubs his wings on his chest making a squeaking sound as he takes in a huge breath of air. Notice his mouth is wide open and he has extended his body and legs to allow the greatest intake of air. From the side view, he would be leaning backward.

Next he brings his head down, burying it in his white collar, forcing all the air into his air sacks, pushing them out and making a loud "plopping" sound.

With the air sacks being stretched to the limit, they show wrinkles as the air escapes.

With 30 to 40 males displaying on one lek, it can be very intertaining and a wonderful way to spend a few hours watching another wild day in Idaho dawn. I was back home by 8:15 in time to do yard work.

Sorry this was so long - could have been longer, but this will suffice.

SkyWatch Friday - Sunset over the desert.

2010-04-08T15:54:00.000-07:00

With the sun setting last night I captured a silhouette of a wild rose bush. We got at least one day without snow but more is predicted.

The end of another wild day in Idaho.

Look for other great sky pictures at http://skyley.blogspot.com/.

Snow, Snow, snow

2010-04-04T07:39:00.000-07:00

Three days of snow slowed the birding during my Spring break, but did not stop it. I encountered some old and new birds.

Between snow storms I located the Long-eared owl nest without disturbing the female.

While the male circled and kept an eye on me.

The snow started to fall on Thursday after I left the owls and the sandhill cranes, teal and coots did not seem to mind.

But then on Friday, the ground was covered and I slipped out at 5 a.m. to see if I could find my first Sage grouse of the season. I found them on a lek, but only seven males and no females showed up. I was able to get a few pictures, but they did not stay long as they preferred the sage rather than the bare snow covered breeding ground with no breeding to be done.

With snow showers and wind up to 40 mph, the ice on Mud Lake started to break up exposing winter-killed fish. On the edge of the ice 54 eagles, mostly immature Balds, gathered to feed. That evening, I hid in some large cottonwood trees and photographed the eagles coming into roost. The grey skies did not make for great shots, but it was exciting to watch these birds fight the wind to find their roost for the night.

Even in the snow, it was a great way to spend two days in the wildness of Idaho. Happy Easter.

SkyWatch Friday - Sunset

2010-04-02T03:21:00.000-07:00

Snow, snow, snow. But between the snow storms, we sometimes catch a thin line of the setting sun against the mountains.

As the sun completely sets, the colors become more vivid until it is totally gone.

The end of another wild day in Idaho.

See other sky pictures at http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Geese for Friday, Fish for Saturday

2010-03-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

Had a great two days in the Great Outdoors. With only about a week to enjoy the snow goose migration, Friday evening I went back out to Camas NWR to visit. The snow geese were in and out with a large flock flying around.

By evening, the geese were all out in the fields feeding but a small group. But they wer joined by a lot of both Tundra and Trumpeter swan and flocks of ducks.

Then Saturday morning I headed to Henrys Lake to check on the spawning activity (see my fishing blog). The sun was beautiful coming up over the east and creating a golden glow with all the fog. Here the glow colors the Henrys Fork by Ponds Lodge.

At Henrys Lake the fish filled the run entering the spawn house. This is a promise for a great fishing season for this year.

More wild days in Idaho for a guy who loves wildness.

SkyWatch Friday - Sunset

2010-03-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

The prevailing wind bends the grass heads from south to north. They become almost petrified by the winter snows with only the strong ones still standing as the snow receeds in the spring.

Look out from above!!!! Thousands of snow geese invade Camas National Wildlive Refuge bringing with them enough "fertilizer" to green up the marshes.

Just another wild day in Idaho.

View other SkyWatch Friday pictures at http://skyley.blogspot.com/.

Snowgoose invasion

2010-03-23T21:00:00.000-07:00

I just got back from Camas National Wildlife Refuge and it has been invaded by Snow and Ross's geese. Here they are dropping onto the Big Pond.

As the sun set, they moved out to the fields to feed.

A great way to end another wild day in Idaho.

I'm Back

2010-03-21T14:46:00.000-07:00

After a week of traveling, a severe cold, a three-day conference, I will post a few of the pictures I lucked into.

Here are two flickers of a group of 18 fight over some rotten apples under an old apple tree.

Here is a mostly red-shafted Northern Flicker with some yellow-shafted feathers in its tail and it also had four in the left wing.

I was also able to visit the group of Long-eared owls and found three pairs of the 12 still there and setting up home by working on nests. We will see what happens.

They were also a little more available for roosting pictures.

Just some more wild days in Idaho.