Winter Hunter

 This coyote was part of a 3 coyote pack in Horseshoe Park, RMNP. They were patiently hunting the new fallen snow in search of naive rodents. We have the healthiest and largest coyotes I have ever seen. Tourists often think they have spotted a wolf, but we don't have wolves in the park (yet). Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Canon EF400mm f/4 DO IS II USM +1.4xIII. 1/1000s@f/5.6, ISO 100, lens focal length 560mm. 11/18/16 10:40am. 

Rocky Mountain Monsoon

The monsoonal weather dramaticallly overwhelmed West Horseshoe Park this afternoon. The heavy sky approached from the northwest and was followed by an extended period of heavy rain with some lightning and thunder. No wind. Temps fell into the 50's. Better weather is expected by the weekend. 07/16/14 4:38pm. Canon 5Dmk3, Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, f/11, ISO 100, [1/80s, 1/50s, 1/30s], lens focal length 32mm.

Marmot multiplicity.

Marmot multiplicity. Marmot Rock in Upper Beaver Meadows, RMNP. 07/18/14 11:56pm. Canon 5Dmk3, Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM, f/6.3, 1/400s, ISO 400, tripod mount, lens focal length 400mm.

Don't forget the Lincoln's Sparrow.

Often overlooked, but demanding to be noticed is the Lincoln's Sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii. Reminds one of a song sparrow, but with distinctively different song. 07/06/14 12:27 pm, Upper Beaver Meadows, Canon 5Dmk3, Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM, f/5.6, 1/320s, ISO 400, lens focal length 400mm.

Williamson's Sapsucker: comedian and parent.

When the Williamson's Sapsucker male arrived to feed the chicks a mouthful of ants, he perched sideways on the aspen trunk. It was impressive agility, balance and strength. Also, humorous! Canon 5Dmk3, Canon EF f/5.6L 400mm USM, 7/6/14 12:52pm, Upper Beaver Meadows, f/5.6, 1/500s, ISO 640, lens focal length 400mm.

Good dad.

Red-naped Sapsucker, male, bringing ants to the chicks. 06/29/14, 4:29pm, Beaver Meadows, RMNP. Canon 5Dmk3, Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM, f/5.6, 1/1600sm, ISO 400, lens focal length 400mm.

Brilliance in the ponderosas

The Western Tanager male was protecting his territory in a large Ponderosa pine. I never saw the female, so she may have been incubating eggs. Anyway, this male was returning to the same spot…time after time. 06/27/14 2:02pm, Canon 5Dmk3, Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM, f/5.6, 1/1000s, ISO 640, lens focal length 400mm.

Ants for breakfast

The Williamson's Sapsucker, male, was bring ants to his recently hatched chicks. This is the first sighting I've had this year of the Williamson's and am exceptionally happy to see the brood happy and healthy. 6/27/14 1:07pm Canon 5Dmk3, Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM, f/5.6, 1/640s, ISO 400, lens focal length 400mm, Upper Beaver Meadows in RMNP.

Parenting tips from the bluebirds

For the first time in a month, I was able to hike and photograph like my old self. It was a joy to get back in the swing. The Mountain Bluebirds shared a meal and posed beautifullly. The new chicks have just hatched. The male is a good partner to the female and an outstanding provider/father to the brood. Canon 5dMk3, Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM, 6/27/14 12:33pm, f/5.6, 1/1600s, ISO 400, lens focal length 400mm. Upper Beaver Meadows in RMNP



Miracle chapel

Our favorite "Chapel on the Rock". I marvel at the clean-up and survival after the major mudslide and flood of September 2013. It's a miracle. The Chapel on the Rock (officially, Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel) is a tourist landmark in Allenspark, Colorado. It's a beloved historic landmark. Very difficult to photograph, but always worth an attempt. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapel_on_the_Rock Canon5Dmk3, Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, f/11, 1/80s, ISO100, lens focal length 50mm, 0.9 soft grad ND filter.