Sugar and Skittles

Yes, the hamster and the cat.

I don't know what they thought but neither would move.

Learning to Fly

These somewhat still baby Kingbirds had my attention all day.

They just sat in this tree without moving.

The mother stood watch perched close by.

There were about 5 in this tree.

Sandhill Cranes

We took a wrong turn in Heber, but it's okay because we got to see this right in the field next to us.

It was a beautiful sight. About 7 o' clock at night. Just as the sun was about to set.

Pelicans

Oriole & Nest

Snake

After seeing this one, I realized how well they actually blend in to there surroundings.

I don't know the name of this snake.

I looked it up when I took the picture but couldn't decide between two different ones.

I can't remember the outcome.

Butterfly

It sometimes takes one of my children to point out something like this.

It was behind a dumpster on a bush.

I love my childrens good eyes.

I just have to say, I saw a Great Horned Owl in broad daylight sitting on a branch right above our heads today. The other cool part is, I am pretty sure it has a nest in this same park.
It was exciting. Pictures to come soon....

Spring

Before we get too far into Summer,

I figured I should post some of my Spring pictures from this year.

I love how different it is in every state.

It is still always beautiful and my favorite.

Even when we get cold/ snowy days like this still....

Kingbird

Red Tail Hawk & Baby

My mom & sister gave me a heads up on a large nest in Lehi.

It is on the edge of a neighborhood by a small field and very busy road.

(click on any picture to enlarge to see better)

I had no idea there was a baby in there. You had to look pretty hard to see it's

little head poking up. It was really high up.

The baby spread open it's wings and I could not tell where it's head was.

I could only see the one.

Tiny little head poking up.

This picture amazes me. This is the 3rd picture I took of just the nest.

I did not realize how out of focus it was until I got home and

to my surprise I had taken a picture of the baby.

I could not see it in the camera until later when I was closer.

Yes, she was screaming at me. This was the closest I got which was still across the street.
I do love hearing them though.

Yellow Headed Black Birds

I guess these are pretty common...?

In Utah at least.

This is my first time to see them.

They look cool, sound cool & there were lots of them.

But, I am glad they are not in my neighborhood kind of bird.

I would not want to wake up to hearing this! (click on Listen at top under description)

Another fun find today.

Pelicans

I did not expect to really see anything today.

I guess that is the best way to experience things is to be unexpected.

We were just standing by the lake watching the fish jump and in comes a Pelican.

Then, a second and a third.

They are big!

I never knew I would see Pelicans in Utah.

The kids and I were at Lindon Marina by the Geneva Settling ponds.

Elk Calf

My little guy and I were on a walking path on

the benches of the mountain

when we started to follow a small trail through the trees

about 10 feet back.

Not wanting to go any further we turned around and saw this.

It was sound asleep at first but our movement woke it up.

It was about 10 feet away from us.

It just stayed there and stared. I had no idea

where the mother was

or would not be able to see it coming before it was too late,

so we left pretty quickly.

It was so sweet.

I have never seen a baby elk before.

It was exciting to see it in the wild.

Baby Bunny

This is one of my favorite places to be.

Bagnell Dam area.

Beautiful all year round, but especially in the Summer months.

Driving along a back dirt road this cute,

really tiny one ran across in front of us.

Of course the pictures don't do it justice,

but I could have easily cupped it in my hands.