Two Great Horned Owl Fledglings and Mama RMNP

Leaving Rocky Mtn National Park at twilight has its rewards. I photographed a brown bear, a rare Williamson's woodpecker, several marmots, a few wildflowers and lastly a family of great horned owls. Two babies, older fledglings were disgustingly irresistable.

The two fledglings.

Two fledglings and one great horned mama.

RMNP Brown Bear June 4th, 2012.

Looking for trouble in Rocky Mtn National Park. I found the haunting eyes of a large brown bear, a sow. #RMNP Brown Bear.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Venus transects the Sun

Yesterday Venus transected the sun in an event that will not come again for 111 years. Using various shade ratings of arc welder glass I attempted to capture the event. The best picture I have is a triple dot image in the upper right quadrant of the sun. The triple dot is Venus. I captured the image by slowly moving the camera up and down on the tripod.

Venus in upper right quadrant.

Eagle Lords

Don't piss them off.

The Coyote Out Back - Kestrel Farm

Coyote female checking out the tractor lady.

In an effort to permanantly and forever protect species on this property we are engaging in talks with

local government to partner with our northerly neighbor to expand an existing wildlife sanctuary.
It is our desire to expand the adjacent protected property with ours and manage both concurrently.
To that end we will double the existing acreage and provide a safe haven for wildlife, hopefully in perpetuity.

The coyote is one of many permanent residents.

Coyote watch.

Coyote lunge.

President Obama visits University of Colorado Boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder was proud to host the President of the United States of America.

April 24th, 2012.

President Obama visited the University of Colorado Boulder yesterday to remark on the importance of education in America, not just for the children of the elite, but for all Americans. He specifically discussed effects of rising student debt and his own personal experience. He and Michelle Obama paid more for their combined student loan payments then they paid for their first mortgage on a small condo in Chicago.  The President and Michelle Obama only recently paid off their student debt load 8 years ago. Some quotes from the event:

"It's not just that we worked hard, it's that someone put an investment in us.... that's what America did for us."

"This is not an abstract idea for us, we have been in your shoes."

"America is not just about a few people doing well, but about all people doing well."

President Obama received a thundering ovation numerous times w/people on their feet whistling and clapping. He is an electrifying speaker who clearly has no problem connecting with people in a collegiate environment. People came from all over and suffered mightily in the record setting heat to see a sitting President come to town. The last time a President was in Boulder was 58 years ago when President Dwight D. Eisenhower came to dedicate the national lab.

 

President Obama entering the Coors Events Center.

Colorado at US36 after the event.

US36 shut down after Presidential visit to UCB. Awaiting motorcade returning to Denver.

Flowering Trees at Easter

Apple Blossom

Cherry Blossoms.

Plum Blossom.

Japanese Honeysuckle.

Violetta.

Easter Gold -Yellow Headed Blackbird and Goldfinch

Easter was a perfect day. Warm, lots of birds and flowers just beginning to bloom.

... and the chickadee with its spring foliage.

Easter Eagle at Kestrel Farm April 4th, 2012.

I always see the eagles approach the farm from across the lake while I am piddling around outside. Today I noticed a younger eagle fly over and take up residence. His purpose: to do a little trout fishing. Usually in Colorado we get eagles in January and February but for some reason (the lake) I get them year round. Plus they like wood rats as an appetizer.

 

... and I don't think we will see the last of the eagles.

April 4th, 2012.