Winter bathing for the birds

Yesterday was a warm day after a week of bitter cold with temperatures in the 40's - a change of 60 degrees from the previous week.  The birds took advantage of the warmth to bathe and enjoy the partial sun of the day.

Along the Henrys Fork of the Snake River, I caught this Bald eagle drying off its wings after bathing along the edge of the river.  It held its wings in this position for about 30 minutes.

 

A couple miles farther up the river I found this American robin bathing along the ice.  There were a flock of about 100 of them enjoying the warmth of the day.

 

It appeared to be a little crazy, but it probably needed the bath.

 

This Steller's Jay is beating its wings to shake the excess water off.  Sometimes I wish I had videos of wildlife as they go through the acts that are natural to them.

 

I almost missed this shot as this Belted Kingfisher dove for a minnow.  It was unsuccessful and flew off to dry on a willow limb.

 

And as I was headed home, the distant Teton Peaks were shrouded in the blankets of clouds - they themselves trying to keep warm in the bitter cold air that surrounded them.

 

Just another day in the wilds of Idaho - and the Tetons in Wyoming, but viewed from Idaho.

Range Fire

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.

SkyWatch Friday - Teton Sunrise

This picture was taken just seven minutes after the second picture of a sunrise over Rexburg.  It is amazing how quickly the light changes during a sunrise and sunset.  I was on my way to school when I encountered the beautiful sunrise.

Here are the Teton Peaks  peeking out from behind the Moody Mountains.

Just the beginning of another wild day in Idaho.

Water Ouzel - American Dipper - a Secret, solitary bird.

Yesterday afternoon I drove to Chester Dam for some birding and photography.  As the sun was setting, I noticed a small grayish black bird diving and surfacing is the dimming light.  I recognized the antiques of the Water Ouzel or American Dipper, John Muir's favorite bird.  The pictures are not as good as I would like but they show the secretive bird that feeds and plays in water when the air temperature is below zero.  I will search for this bird duirng the day for some better pictures.

The Water Ouzel usually spends its time in swift clear running water in the high mountains, but is forced down to the lowlands during the winter.  It is an indicator species requiring pure water with insect larvae to survive.


Its specialized body is covered with extremely thick feathers and have oil sacks at the base of their tail which they use to to coat their feathers with the oil.  This protects the skin from the freezing water and air temperatures.

They dive for their food, even swimming or flying under water to catch some of their food.  They have a membrane that is pulled over the eyes while under water.  Scales also close the nostrils as they search for food under the water.  Here the bird searches for food by putting its head under water before diving.

Here the water Ouzel dives after locating some food on the bottom.

Here it surfaces head first after being under water for about a minute.

Walking back to the shallow water, the American Dipper surveys the water before another dive.

The evening is capped off by the temperature dropping below zero and the fading light baithing the Teton Peaks in a beautiful alpen glow.

 

Just another ordinary day experience in the wildness of Idaho.  I hope you enjoy this interesting little bird.  When I find it again and I get better pictures, I will share them with you.