Busy Summer

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

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.

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

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.