The call of the Sandhill Crane is one of the most distinct and beautiful sounds in the Teton valley. Their return each the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem each Spring signals the changing of the seasons.
Camouflage
When you walk past a pair of fledging Great Grey Owls several times before you even see them, the purpose of their feather coloration becomes obvious. While their temporary inability to fly poses a serious disadvantage, the ability to blend into any perch near seamlessly serves to protect them during their most vulnerable stage of life.
Searching For Love On Top Of The World
This male dusky grouse chose a stunning stage for his performance to attract a female.
Dusky Grouse
The male dusky grouse is unquestionably one of the most beautiful birds in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Unlike many species that winter in lower elevations and lighter snowpack, dusky grouse head to the high country to wait out the winter, where they feed primarily on conifer needles.
Birds of Costa Rica
Here is a selection of my favorite bird images from my recent trip to Costa Rica:
Violet Sabrewing Hummingbird
Collared Redstart
Blue-crowned Motmot
Resplendent Quetzal
My recent and first trip to Costa Rica was full of unforgettable experiences. The wildlife diversity of the country is astounding. In fact, National Geographic recently labeled the Corcovado National Park the "the most biologically intense place on earth". Naturally, being a first time visitor, I wanted to see as much as I could in the time I had, but there was one species in particular that had captured my imagination, the Quetzal. The male Quetzal, with its green crest, blood red chest, and 3 foot long iridescent tail feathers, looks as if it were a mythical creature. So the prominent role the bird plays in ancient Mayan and Aztec lore is not surprising.
According to Mayan legend, a Quetzal was present when the Spanish conquistador, Pedro de Alvarado, killed Tecún Umán, the Mayan hero and warrior. Following the battle, the Quetzal descended and landed upon the dead body of the fallen hero, and his blood stained the bird's chest red. It is said the Quetzal possesses the most beautiful song of any bird in the world, but it quit singing after the Spanish conquest.
Ghost
A rare glimpse of a leucistic Great Grey Owl. This anomaly is caused by a lack of pigmentation. This was the male owl of a nesting pair. I had photograhed the females and two chicks for a couple weeks, but had not seen the male, who was typically off hunting, until this day. Just prior to the taking of this image I witnessed the most unique wildlife event of my life, a black bear and two cubs had attempted to climb the nest tree and eat the chicks. The female let out distress calls which prompted the male to come to the nest site, where they both repeatedly dive-bombed the bears until they retreated. After the whole ordeal, the male was tired and rested on this perch for several minutes.