Fort Collins Audubon Society 2020 Photo Contest - All Entries
This slideshow contains all the great photos that were submitted to the contest.
(NOTE: Due to the number of images, the slideshow may be slow to start.)
Snake becomes Red-tail
ByJohn Reichhardt | Red-tailed Hawk nestling consuming a freshly delivered snake. (Screen shot from video). As monitors for the Loveland Open Lands Raptor Monitoring program this past summer, we were fortunate to monitor a Red-tailed Hawk nest from the very beginning from the mom incubating the eggs on the nest to this moment where two fledglings were fed a snake by one of the adults. The bird swallowed the snake whole while the other looked on. An exciting moment when we were at the right place at the right time!
Swainson's Hawk
ByRonald Jensen | We woke to an unusual cry early on July 20, 2020 in the Wood West neighborhood in Fort Collins. We spotted this Swainson's hawk on a neighboring rooftop. I took a number of photos of the bird both sitting and in flight, snapping as fast as I could. There were 4 of the hawks that hung around our neighborhood for several weeks, perching in taller trees and on rooftops.
I see you
ByHarry Rose | American Kestrel at Cathy Fromme Prairie
Adolescent Idyll
ByLori Zabel | Great Horned Owl - Poudre River Trail
Dusky Grouse
ByJon Kindschy | Gunnison County. Mid-summer. 8500'. Common at the time/location. Most are shy but this one was willing to hang around for a photo shoot.
YHB Gymnast
ByJon Kindschy | May 2020 at Houts Reservoir in Loveland. This Yellow-headed Blackbird made me work for every shot. This was my favorite.
Bad Hair Day
ByRobin Welsh | Tufted Coquette at Asa Wright Nature Preserve, Trinidad. This little guy was very cooperative perching on these plants for extended periods of time. If you love hummers, this is the place to go!
In the Weeds
ByRobin Welsh | I was in Ohio during the "Biggest Week in Birding" with 2 incredible birding buddies. The car provided the perfect blind in which to take in this peaceful scene and male Wood duck.
Wrong Way little egret
ByRobin Welsh | Little Egret and African Black Skimmers, Kazinga Channel, Uganda. This was a place where it was hard to know where to aim your camera. Birds filled the sky and shores. Then throw in elephants, hippos, cape buffalo, and a crocodile or two.
Full House
ByRobin Welsh | This Plumbeous Vireo nest was just about at eye-level close to the trail at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. We didn't stay too long so as not to upset the parents.
Isn't he adorable?
ByRobin Welsh | Mother and 13 day old Mountain Gorilla, Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. Being in the presence of mountain gorillas was an emotional experience, but watching this mother cradle and marvel at her infant brought tears to my eyes.
Talking Hummer
ByAaron Crawford | This Rufous tailed hummingbird was photographed in Costa Rica while on our honeymoon. I think he was trying to wish us a lifetime of happiness and joy in a way that only hummingbirds can. Thank you little buddy!
Kestrel soaking up the sun
ByAaron Crawford | American Kestrel taken in Fort Collins, CO. Kestrels are everywhere and incredibly photogenic as long as they hold still long enough for a shot. This one was particularly striking with the sun light while sitting on this fence post North of Fort Collins, CO.
Soaring Eagle
ByAaron Crawford | I took this picture in Bayfield County, northern Wisconsin, getting ready for a 4th of July pontoon parade. Go "Merica"!
Just Hanging Out
ByAlan Godwin | Two turtles on a log at Blue Spring State Park and another with its head sticking out of the water were seen on a boat ride on the St. Johns River. A great trip if you can get there!!
Won't you come pet me
ByAlan Godwin | Pronghorn looking lonely. Seen on road going from Fort Collins to Soapstone Prairie Natural Area.
I see you too!
ByAlan Godwin | Steller's Jay waiting for turn at feeder at State Forest State Park near Gould, Colorado. We always stop here for a "picnic" lunch and birding en route both ways to and from Steamboat Springs and Fort Collins. Great birding with Pine Grosbeaks and Rosy Finches.
Why Hello
BySheila Webber | Taken in Prospect Ponds Natural Area.
How is it upstream? Fine, how is it downstream?
ByAlan Godwin | Two manatees meeting in St. John's River in Blue Spring State Park near DeBary, Florida. We even saw a rescue of an injured manatee. They had to catch both the injured mother and her child.
Hiding Anhinga
ByAlan Godwin | Anhinga seen from boat on boat trip on St. Johns River in Blue Spring State Park near DeBary, Florida. It is also a haven for manatees and a great boat trip.
Striking Elegance in Snow
ByMark Wagner | American Kestral
Wood Duck
ByMark Wagner | That's why we're called WOOD Ducks
Sooo nice
ByMark Wagner | Yellow Warbler and House Finch enjoy a cool bath
Refuge from the heat
ByVyvyan Brunst | Broad-tailed Hummingbird taking a shower, early September 2020.
Wilson's Choice
ByRon Harden | This Wilson's Warbler chose the branch of dried conifer to perch on rather than the usual riparian green foliage. But the color contrast and composition attracted.
breakfast
ByRoger Wieck | (No description or comments provided)
catching lunch
ByRoger Wieck | (No description or comments provided)
spring beauty
ByRoger Wieck | Photo was taken through our basement storm door last spring
fly over
ByRoger Wieck | This sandhill crane did an abrupt right turn to void flying directly over me.
nest building
ByRoger Wieck | American Dipper doing some nest maintenance in Poudre Canyon
Marten on Alert
ByJon Kindschy | Taken in 2012 in Gunnison County at 8500'. We've spend weeks at the location each summer for 30+ years. See a Marten on average about every 10 years. This one was in pursuit of a chipmunk which, right after I took this pic, was pursued up a tree and captured at the end of a branch. I have another shot of the Marten with the chipmunk in its mouth.
Here Comes the Sun
ByJay Breidt | Juvenile Say's Phoebe catching some rays. Fort Collins, June 2020. Say's phoebes nest on our house and train the youngsters in the back yard. This juvenile was resting between forays and really seemed to enjoy stretching out in the morning sun.
No, really, I am a fierce predator
ByJay Breidt | Cooper's hawk having a bad feather day. Fort Collins, June 2020. This Cooper's hawk regularly shows up to stalk the birdfeeder, usually looking powerful and menacing. But sometimes it hops in the birdbath or fluffs up its feathers, and the results can be comical.
Death Stare
ByLawrence Caputo | Young red-tailed hawk found on an electrical pole, one of their favorite hunting perches.
Fluff Ball
ByLawrence Caputo | Fledgling great horned owl from a local nest in town.
Ripples in still water
ByMark Hanusack | Great blue heron stalking breakfast
Owl surfing
ByMark Hanusack | Three Red winged blackbirds chasing away a Great horned owl
We want more!
ByMark Hanusack | Flicker family
Broadtail
ByMark Hanusack | Morning feeding at the Bee balm.
Juvenile Great Horned Owl
ByMark Hanusack | Juvenile Great Horned Owl waiting for breakfast.
Night Hunter
ByLawrence Caputo | Great horned owl getting ready for a night of hunting along the Poudre River in town.
The Bully
ByGreg Vassilopoulos | Rufous Hummingbird
Mother & Child
ByGreg Vassilopoulos | American Oystercatcher
Lunch
ByGreg Vassilopoulos | Red-tailed Hawk
Hiding in Plain Sight
ByGreg Vassilopoulos | American Woodcock
Stare Down
ByGreg Vassilopoulos | Long-eared Owl
American Avocets
ByFrank Stermitz | Mating.
Black-Crowned Night Heron
ByFrank Stermitz | McMurray
Western Territory
ByRon Harden | This female Western Bluebird was on her favorite perch. She often flew from it to adjacent meadow grasses to catch insects, and back. Her perch and position allowed the composition.
lunch time
ByHelmut Retzer | Blue Grosbeak feeding on sunflower seeds. I thought the blue of the bird and the yellow of the Sunflowers made colorful photo. Near Brush, Co.
Thats What they all say
ByHelmut Retzer | Morning Dove and Western Meadowlark sharing perch. The Dove seemed quite unimpressed by the Larks singing. As if saying, "Iv'e heard it all before."
Bath Time
ByHelmut Retzer | These Starlings were totaly absorbed in their bathing. A flock of several hundred were cooling off on the Platte River near Greeley.
Dipped Dipper
ByHelmut Retzer | This photo of a dipper surfacing was taken on the St. Vrain near Lyons.The Dipper was living up to its name
Gobble Gobble
ByHelmut Retzer | This photo of two Tom turkeys was taken near North Sterling Reservoir. They were part of a group of 20. This was the height of mating season and the displays were intense.
A great day for fishing
ByLarry Griffin | Immature Black-crowned Night-Heron in our Fort Collins pond. We stocked the pond with fathead minnows for mosquito control. The heron found them to be quite tasty!
Walking on stilts
ByLarry Griffin | Immature Comb-crested Jacana. Kakadu NP, Northern Territory, Australia. Jacanas are perfectly designed to walk on lily pads. How could those legs possibly fit into an egg?
Say Ahh
ByLarry Griffin | Eurasian Blue Tit feeding fledgeling. Salzburg, Austria. I have enjoyed many of the cheerful, hyperactive and colorful tits while birding in Europe and Asia.
Yum yum
ByLarry Griffin | Collared Aracari enjoying palm tree fruits. Pico Bonito NP, Honduras. Aracaris are medium-sized toucans. They are unusual for toucans in that they roost socially, up to 6 adults and fledged young sleeping in the same hole with tails folded over their backs.
Good luck finding me!
ByLarry Griffin | Tawny Frogmouth and nestling. Lamington NP, Queensland, Australia. Found during a group birding tour of Australia in November 2011, where they are endemic. They are related to the potoos of Central and South America. Resembling a broken branch, they have amazing camouflage. Their tiny nest seems undersized for the beefy nestling.
On guard
ByRobin Allison | Rufous Hummingbird guarding the feeders. Allenspark Colorado, July 2020. These little hummers are so ferocious! Once they arrive in the spring, the Broad-tailed Hummingbirds have a hard time getting feeder time. Good thing they aren't the size of eagles!
Look out below!
ByRobin Allison | Red-tailed Hawk with snake; flew right over my head! Loveland Colorado, May 2020.
Big stick contest
ByRobin Allison | Great Blue Herons sprucing up the nest. Loveland Colorado, April 2020. Lots of Great Blue Herons were coming and going bringing nesting material to the rookery. These two were really in sync.
Moose! I thought I was a squirrel!
ByRobin Allison | Baby moose, less than a week old, investigating a tree. Rocky Mountain National Park, June 2020. I watched this very new baby moose (still with drying umbilical cord attached) investigate this tree for about 20 minutes. He would reach up as high as he could, eventually getting his front feet off the ground, before slipping back down. I'm not sure what he found so fascinating, but it was sure fascinating to watch!
I AM smiling, darn it!
ByRobin Allison | Juvenile Cooper's Hawk having a bad morning. Allenspark Colorado, August 2020. This young Cooper's Hawk was stalking crows that were equal in size, and got pretty frustrated.
Grizzly Defending His Salmon
ByTaz Feldis | Grizzly bear fending off a hungry eagle that attempted to steal his fresh salmon
Brown Bear Cub with Summer Fireweed
ByTaz Feldis | Brown bear cub wading through a shallow lagoon searching for salmon or grass to eat
Bald Eagles
ByTaz Feldis | Bald eagle leaving his perch in search of food
Grizzly in the Grass
ByTaz Feldis | Curious grizzly taking a peak above the grass to keep an eye on his surroundings
Brown Bear Family
ByTaz Feldis | A trio of brown bears fishing for salmon
Swallowtail Mating Dance
ByJon Kindschy | Observed and photographed this mating dance and its consummation over about 15 minutes. Occurred last spring near Equalizer Lake in Loveland. A photo of the mating itself is featured on butterfliesandmoths.org.
Ahoy, Admiral
ByJon Kindschy | Gunnison County, 8500'. Very common summer residents. Seem to find a favorite tree and spend much time sitting in or flying nearby it.
Special delivery
ByDouglas Swartz | Adult Barn Swallow delivering food to fledgling
Empid Epaulets
ByLori Zabel | Well Gulch Trail, Lory State Park
The Hawk and The Grasshopper
ByRon Harden | The young Swainson's would walk around the field picking off grasshoppers. This grasshopper flushed and the hawk launched after it in dramatic chase.
fledgling buteo
ByPatricia J Cohn | Reverso-Hawk A fledgling from the hawk nest in a vacant lot next to my apartment building, Pullman, WA. They were hanging around the neighborhood while they were learning to fly. this one is perched on a porch railing.
Trying not to be seen.
ByPatricia J Cohn | Plumbeous vireo on nest, Armijo Trail, Sandia Mtns, NM. Nest was built in juniper right over the trail. Moved off trail to take photo.
Migration Rest Stop
ByPatricia J Cohn | This hummingbird rested up in my backyard for a few days before continuing south. Albuquerque, NM
Reflective warbler
ByLori Nixon | Wilson's warbler reflected in a small pond in early fall. (San Juan county) This was definitely a year for solitude and introspection. For this picture I had come across a small puddle, precious moisture left over from a brief early snowstorm. I sat down quietly for at least a half hour just to see who would show up-- pine squirrels, warblers, kinglets, chickadees, robins and flickers stopped by to drink or bathe. This little warbler examining its own reflection seemed to capture my mood that day.
Impressionistic meadowlark
ByLori Nixon | I'm not sure what happened with the camera settings on this shot, but it came out looking more like a watercolor than a photograph! Anyway, a happy accident. I was still trying to learn my compact superzoom camera when I captured this shot of a meadowlark perched on a mullein stalk. I really liked the effect but I'm not quite sure how it happened!
Little brown wren
ByLori Nixon | The Environmental Learning Center (Larimer County) is one of my favorite local spots, and I love it when the house wrens show up. Walking there in late spring, one is continuously serenaded by these little active birds. Usually I am counting these birds by ear as they are energetically singing , each in their small territory. They are fairly easy to spot but do not hold still for long! I caught this one in a brief pose, against a background of green foliage.
Sapsucker love nest
ByLori Nixon | These red-naped sapsuckers were busy at their nest site in a live aspen tree. I had noticed numerous sapsucker holes in mature aspen stands in this area near Silverton in San Juan County, Colorado. Finally was lucky enough to spy on this pair as they were bringing food back to the nest. I re-visited a few times, always viewing from a respectful distance, but did not detect any young.. However, I saw several other cavity-dwellers in the same area that did have nestlings (northern flickers and mountain chickadees).
Long-tailed weasel on the alert
ByLori Nixon | Weasel slinking through the forest near Molas Pass (San Juan County) in its brown summer coat. A small patch at the forehead gives a preview of its winter coloring, when it will become all-white except for the dark-tipped tail. As we were hiking along the Colorado trail above Little Molas Lake, I saw a small mammal scampering into a tree. "Pine squirrel", I initially assumed- but there was something different-- wow, check out that long tail! We got cameras out and crept a bit closer. The weasel allowed us to approach within about 20 feet before bounding off into the forest.
I spy something.....tasty!
ByPatricia J Cohn | Fledgling buteo perched on stockside truck. Heard or saw something in the grass below. One of a pair from a nest in a suburban neighborhood, Pullman, WA.
Survival
ByRon Harden | This fascinating little predator rested on lower branch of a Ponderosa, having expended energy capturing prey. It sometimes turned its head showing the false eye spots. Northern Pygmy Owl and Red-backed vole survival, or not, depends on the predator/prey relationship for both.
Wut?
ByHarry Rose | Red Squirrel
Coot_ELC
ByLawrence Sherman | Coot at ELC
Osprey-with-catch
ByFred Kreiner | Osprey on Big Thomson in Loveland, CO
San Luis Sandhills
ByAndrew Monson | Sandhill Cranes, Monte Vista, CO Taken during the Sandhill Crane Festival, which is a must-see for birders with the thousands of Sandhills that gather in the shadow of the San Luis range
home is where the tree swallow is
ByAndrew Monson | Tree Swallow, South Platte Park, Littleton, CO The swallow nestbox is perfectly framed between two foothills, and the light gave a perfect blue-purple-green background.
red-y for the night
ByAndrew Monson | Black-Crowned Night-Heron, Irvine, CA I walked past a bush next to a body of water and happened to look back and the Night-heron stared at me as I slowly raised my camera and got a couple of shots in before take-off.
away from the storm
ByAndrew Monson | American White Pelican, Barr Lake State Park, CO With the clouds rolling in, this pelican was one of dozens who make their home at Barr Lake
swimming in a painting
ByAndrew Monson | Mallard, Irvine, CA A common bird in a common setting, but the waves and lighting made it look very much like a watercolor!
Mom! Here Mom!
ByRon Harden | Excited, these fledgling Barn Swallows would see Mom coming from a long way off and already be begging. Between Mom and Dad's visits they sat patiently, jockeying around on their perch and viewing their new world.
Black-crowned Night Heron
ByCarole Hossan | This photo was taken before twilight at Prospect Ponds. The Black-crowned Night Heron was in a resting pose.
Danger Danger!
ByCarole Hossan | This photo was taken at dusk near Prospect Ponds. The Osprey was hovering over the water, but decided not to take the plunge. The silhouette is rather intimidating.
Bye!
ByCarole Hossan | This photo was taken at one of the overlooks at Rocky Mountain National Park. A Gray Jay was begging, and got tired of waiting for me to take his photo so he took off, leaving his shadow behind.
Delightful Duo
ByCarole Hossan | This photo was taken at Running Deer Natural Area. The White-faced Ibis and American Avocet were quite far away. It was very satisfying to get two of my favorite birds in one shot.
EASO
ByHarry Rose | Eastern Screech Owl at Cottonwood Glen
Attack Coot!
ByHarry Rose | American Coot and Mallard at Molly Lake
Otter Kiss.
ByJames Welch | Chasing otter family. Frolicking, alighting for a kiss. We pray for all beings. Took this photo after chasing otter family along crooked river in Smith Rock State Park Or. Wrote Haiku to commemorate the even.
The Cosmic Egg - White Crowned Sparrow
ByJames Welch | In the beginning... A crack. The cosmic egg. We all fly away.
Expecting to Fly
ByJames Welch | "Here I sit on the edge of my feather, expecting to fly". Neil Young. We have discovered in our work in Oregon, that swallows are bad at making sure all chicks are fed, so we get high mortality of young. The answer we have found is to have 3 holes... instead of one. Have a swallow/bluebird bird house project in Colorado and Oregon. Took this one in Yachats, Or.
Synchronized Swimming
ByJoe Webber | Four Mallards all dipping for food.
Mullen Morning
ByJoe Webber | A western bluebird taking in the sunrise from the top of a mullein stalk.
American Wigeon
ByJoe Webber | An American Wigeon relaxing in a stream on a cold fall morning.
Snowy Egret
ByDavid Sitzman | Strutting his stuff. This Snowy Egret was running off his competitors at Kingfisher Natural Area. Taken 8/15/2020. There were a number of these Snowy Egrets hanging out feeding on minnows. I had been watching them for an hour or so when something seemed to set them off. There were three of them that began squawking and fighting with each other. This one just puffed up as if to say "don't even think about it"! I wish the quality was better, but still fun to watch.
Turkey Vulture
ByDavid Sitzman | Shot this guy on 6/20/2020 looking for a meal at Vega State Park. Initially, we ran into three of the birds sitting on roadkill in the middle of the road. As we passed, they flew to a nearby group of trees. I stopped and back tracked on foot and hid near the roadkill. Got some fun shots of the birds perched in the trees with thousands of flies surrounding them. Then this one flew and began to circle around me wanting to get back to his meal. I was able to get this shot as he approached. Even gross and disgusting carrion feeders can be beautiful in their own way! Love the detail in his face.
White-faced Ibis
ByDavid Sitzman | Got this shot at Crescent Lake NWR. Marathon day (4 hour drive each way from Fort Collins), but well worth it. This shot was taken in a small, shallow marshy area just a short distance off the road. There were a few of the White Faced Ibis already sitting, which made for great decoys. I simply waited in the weeds on the side of the road and waited for more to fly in. This one came in just as hoped. They are such cool birds with their iridescent colors. I liked the way these colors popped with the reeds in background and pink blooms below.
Night Herron
ByDavid Sitzman | 8/22/2020. Got this one quite by accident. Driving down the road at Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, I spotted a Kingfisher perched in a tree. I stopped and proceeded to sneak thru tall grass trying to get closer when I stumbled into a large group of about two dozen Night Herons (I had never seen more than one at a time before!). The Herons spooked and began flying everywhere, giving me opportunity to get this shot. I was pleased with the way the sunlight came thru the wings; and this was a full frame shot - not cropped.
Grebes
ByDavid Sitzman | Shot this photo 6/14/20 at Barr Lake State Park. Seemed late in the year to see Grebes courting, but there were numerous pairs. I initially spotted these two close to shore, swimming side by side and rubbing necks together. As I was trying to get shots of them doing that (and capturing those great red eyes), they were suddenly scooting across the water, side by side, with outstretched necks. Just in the right place at the right time.
Her Majesty
ByElaine Burritt | Bald Eagle; Weld County Sony RX10 IV
Owl Solitude in Snow
ByElaine Burritt | Great Horned Owl, Larimer County, late spring 2020 Sony RX10 IV
Moonlight Date and Osprey Junior
ByElaine Burritt | Osprey couple and their chick; Larimer County Sony RX10 IV
The Grassland
ByJonathan Kershner | Pronghorn antelope photo taken on the Pawnee National Grassland, a land of many natural wonders. And, for me, a place of joy and peace.
Cooper's Hawk Focusing
ByJonathan Kershner | Cooper's In The Coffee Tree. Our backyard Collared Dove population control expert. Attracted, presently, to the avian feed and water station over yonder. We are very happy to be of service.
Out The Backdoor
ByJonathan Kershner | Wilson's Warblers appear magically, through the ether, then stay for a few days. Now they are gone. In the front door and out the back. PHffffT. ( Photo taken at my home in Larimer County)
Siblings
ByJonathan Kershner | Say's Phoebe photo taken north of Fort Collins near Laporte.
Monarch of the Serengeti plains
ByJames DeMartini | On a sierra club trip to East Africa, I was driving a Land Rover in the northern part of the Serengeti when a passenger said they saw an animal in a tree as we drove by. I drove a few hundred yards, turned around, and down a small slope where the tree was located, allowing the Land Rover to gently come to a stop beside the tree. I had time to just pick up my 35 mm camera with a telephoto lens and take this photo before the leopard jumped out of the tree and was gone in a flash. In the crotch of the tree you can see a portion of a topi carcass. Leopards often carry the prey they kill into trees to keep the many scavengers from devouring them.
Don't give me a Lek....sure
ByJames DeMartini | In late March, 2019 we took our grandson to see greater prairie chickens mating display on a lek. We made arrangements through the city of Wray which set up blinds and provides breakfast for people who register each year. They took us to the blinds in the dark and opened them before daybreak so that the amazing display was within 40 or 50 feet in front of us, great for photography and filming. I highly recommend this experience for anyone who has not done it.
Hey Mr. Bluebird
ByJames DeMartini | We were fortunate to have a flock of about 15 beautiful Mountain Bluebirds visit our neighborhood near Rocky Ridge Reservoirs for several days vduring the first week of May, 2016.
Tasting the breeze.
ByLori Pivonka | While in Arizona I took a side trip to the Santa Rita Lodge in the Santa Rita mountains of Arizona. With its many bird feeders, the lodge yard is a fabulous place to go birding. I got up close and personal with this Rivoli Hummingbird as it landed near me several times. A great life bird on a winter day!
American Bittern camouflage. Crescent Lake NWR, NE
ByLori Pivonka | First time to Crescent Lake NWR in Nebraska and I was fortunate to see my 1st, 2nd, & 3rd American Bittern's! Always exciting to get a life bird 3-times in one day! I have some nice shots of the Bitterns wading in a pretty unconcerned manner. However, my favorite is this one where the Bitter has its eye on me and is very well camouflaged after walking into the water plants.
Blue and White Swallows
ByLori Pivonka | Early morning at Machu Pichu ruins in the Sacred Valley of Peru. These gorgeous winged wonders were swooping everywhere then landing very close. I attempted many times to catch them as they dove at high speed into their nests in the cracks of the walls with poor results. Finally I decided to catch them in a rare moment of sitting. Looks like someone is still busy building a nest!
Sandy nesting for American Oystercatcher.
ByLori Pivonka | These striking birds nest on sandy beaches in Peru in a small "dent" in the sand. I was lucky enough to also spot an unoccupied nest down the beach and have a great photo of three beautiful speckled eggs camouflaged in the sand.
Flock in the morning sun!
ByLori Pivonka | Bear Lake National Wildlide Refuge, Idaho. Barely managed to get a photo into the sun as this flock landed and left, then landed and left several times. I particularly like the movement and the light on the birds and the wire. PAUSE FOR A PROGRAM NOTE: NEXT, we are going to show you some more photos by Lori Pivonka. Lori submitted the maximum number of official entries to our contest, 5, but she also shared some additional photos that we decided to include in tonight's presentation for your entertainment.
Great Grebe peekaboo.
ByLori Pivonka | Los Pantanos de Villa Refuge south of Lima, Peru. Was so fortunate to be close enough to not only spot these grebe chicks, but also get photos! They are so darn cute as they look out at the big world from their warm and soft hiding spot on a parent's back.
Goldfinch Feast!
ByLori Pivonka | Whidbey Island, Washington. This little finch completely ignored me as I took multiple photos. Clearly there was no time to waste in getting as much fluffy seed as possible.
Heron rafting on kelp.
ByLori Pivonka | I watched this kelp move with the current for a while before seeing the heron. The tidal currents are quite strong off the north coast of Orcas Island in Washington and the kelp and heron were moving at a good clip. The curving kelp, large bulbs and rafting heron seemed like art in motion to me.
Moose Majesty.
ByLori Pivonka | Bear Lake National Wildlide Refuge, Idaho. Surprised to see this huge bull moose walking through a pasture in the wetland area. It was my lucky morning.
Perfectly poised Pootoo
ByLori Pivonka | As we were headed into Manu NP in Peru and the Madre de Dios river (Mother of God) which is the headwaters of the Amazon we periodically stopped to take a break and do some birding as we moved through the cloud forest. We were very fortunate to spot this sleeping Great Pootoo.
Raiding a fig orchard.
ByLori Pivonka | This stunning Blue and Yellow Tanager was feasting on figs in a small orchard in Peru as we walked by. He was very unconcerned about the two-leggeds nearby and much more concerned with gorging himself!
Pintail Perfection.
ByLori Pivonka | A beautiful morning at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, and this Pintail was exploring the edge of a pond right next to my "car blind".
Ring Necked beauty!
ByLori Pivonka | The brilliant colors of a Ring Necked rooster are very apparent in the early morning light in Nunn, Colorado as he unsuccessfully tries to hide himself in the surrounding drab grasses.
Sleepy Chinchilla
ByLori Pivonka | Machu Pichu ruins in the Sacred Valley of Peru, very early in the morning. Chinchilla's are actually crepuscular, which means they are very active at dawn or dusk and sleep during the day. I took the photo just after dawn and he is looking a bit sleepy and ready for bed.
Sandhill sunrise.
ByLori Pivonka | Alpen glow on the cranes, water and hills behind as the sun rises over the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. Winter birding trip to NM and AZ.
Snowed in Snowy Plover.
ByLori Pivonka | On a very cold snowy day another FOCO birder spotted this cute and intrepid little bird at Rigden Reservoir, part of Arapaho Bend Natural Area in Fort Collins. I was lucky enough to go out and re-find it hunkered down at the edge of the water and partially hidden behind the snow.
Andean Condor soaring over Colca Canyon
ByLori Pivonka | A long trek to get to Colca Canyon in Peru, including traveling over a 16,000' pass and some altitude sickness! Clearly it was worth the trip to see the canyon which is deeper and narrower than our Grand Canyon in AZ. These condors are huge, standing 3.5'- 4' tall, with a wingspan of 9-10'. They don't spend much time actually flying, since they primarily soar and seem to be rather awkward when they land. On this morning we saw approximately 30 condors of various ages.
Andean Geese at 15,500' elevation
ByLori Pivonka | Spotted this small flock on the tundra when approaching the top of a 16,000 foot pass in Peru. Gorgeous birds who seem like a bright white target sitting in the green of the tundra grasses.
Rock Wren on lava.
ByLori Pivonka | Spotted this cooperative little guy sitting on a lava rock near the trail we were hiking out among the half million acres of lava in Craters of the Moon National Park, Idaho. I was however, very sad to not spot a Pygmy Rabbit while exploring this amazing park.
Yellow Rumped Warbler pondering breakfast.
ByLori Pivonka | So distinctive and colorful against the marsh grasses at waters edge in Puget Sound.
Wild and wonderful Wood duck.
ByLori Pivonka | Lee Martinez Park in Fort Collins near Discovery Center. Part of a pair that seemed to like the creek where I saw them several times. On this day, I just happened to quietly catch the drake with great light and a few water droplets.
Savannah Sparrow fog magic.
ByLori Pivonka | Whidbey Island, Washington. When I originally took this photo in the fog, I just saw a short glint of the yellow color and thought "Savannah Sparrow". Later, when I could see the photo better, I realized this was actually an immature Golden-Crowned Sparrow. A nice morning for a surprise life bird!
Yellowheaded flock in the breeze.
ByLori Pivonka | Bear Lake National Wildlide Refuge, Idaho. It took several attempts to get this photo as the flock kept moving away from me up the fence line.
Otters are outta here!
ByLori Pivonka | Orcas Island, Washington. Watching the otters eat & play was quite fun and I just happened to capture a silly photo of them disappearing under the waves!
Inca Tern bathing festival.
ByLori Pivonka | Los Pantanos de Villa Refuge south of Lima, Peru. Inca Terns are gorgeous with their white ear tufts and red bill! Although it was an overcast day, the light was enough
Monarch offspring!
ByLori Pivonka | After planting Swamp Milkweed in the backyard garden in Fort Collins, I was very excited to see Monarch larva show up to feast!
Beautiful Bluebird
ByLori Pivonka | Gorgeous Mountain Bluebird on an early spring day at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area in Fort Collins. He is quite brilliant among the browns and tans of the foothills vegetation.
Guess who came to dinner
ByJames DeMartini | On November 7 we had a male and female pair of evening grosbeak's visit our feeders in North Fort Collins for a day. A sighting was also reported on E bird about the same time.
I'm black and white and red all over, but rare in our area
ByJames DeMartini | We had this beautiful Red-headed woodpecker visit our yard north of Terry Lake for a couple days the last week of May, 2019. There were one or two sightings reported on E bird about the same time, I think one in Laporte and one in Loveland. This is a rare visitor from the Midwest.