My favorite photo - a newly fledged Bald Eagle has a feisty American Kestrel take a ride for a second, taken at the river behind the house.
Pileated Woodpecker pair in the front yard. New photos nearly every day on our Blog page!
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Things are always hopping at the Raptors of the Rockies organization. We're taking care of the birds and maintaining their enclosures, we're conducting raptor programs at local schools and organizations across Western Montana, art is flying out of the studio, we're taking photos and shooting video, we're out in the field birding and/or doing research, and much, much more. To help you keep up with the flurry of activities happening at Raptors of the Rockies, we're blogging on a more-or-less daily basis and our most recent posts are listed below. Enjoy!
HomeboyPosted: Sun, 17 May 2026House Sparrows building nests in our garage ceiling, and this one just chased out with a downy morsel.
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That Explains ItPosted: Fri, 15 May 2026Last evening I spotted both Sandhill Cranes, reunited with just the male circling around earlier that day. Then I spotted movement in the grass - two babies! And still down there an hour ago today. Wow! I wish them luck and we'll have a different dog walk for a while
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Crane PairPosted: Thu, 14 May 2026Right behind the house and fearless Sandhills yesterday. They were so close I backed all the way off the telephoto and snapped away! Even then I cut off their feet on several cool shots!
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Fingers CrossedPosted: Wed, 13 May 2026Tom built this bridge for the slough (we call it) but actually Child's Creek, behind the house. Some years we luck out and the high spring water spares it, other years it floats while tethered to the bank. Then we have to pull it up with the truck and find someone to help reinstall it in a month. That is the real trick! "Hey, while you're here checking out the birds, want to do us a favor?" HA!
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Resident Red-tail TodayPosted: Tue, 12 May 2026
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Two BabiesPosted: Sun, 10 May 2026Finally a snapshot showing two youngsters in the nest, but from a distance. The river is WAY up and a rushing-water creek prevents me from getting closer. Once I scooted along a log over the top, but not that brave anymore. HA!
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Chief Charlo SchoolPosted: Sat, 09 May 2026We've been visiting Chief Charlo Elementary for more than 20 years, even made a film for MCAT there once, on owls. Our favorite teacher Mr. (Kevin) Cashman invites us every year, 4th grade, and we invite them to the Raptor Ranch. Here is yesterday, and spot an Aplomado Falcon on the right? So now they knew a Spanish word, aplomado or "lead-colored." Then I told them the story of the Japanese exchange class at the university, and when they saw the Saw-whet Owl they exclaimed iiieeeee. That's how they say aawww in Japanese. Now tri-ligual 4th graders.
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SwallowlandPosted: Fri, 08 May 2026Tree Swallows at most every box - Tom built and we installed 18 or 20 nest boxes 25 years ago and here a banded one at the slough bridge. Maybe that leg ID was installed the MPG ranch across the river and downstream a bit. Scienceland!  |
My Killdeer PalPosted: Thu, 07 May 2026
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CranelandPosted: Tue, 05 May 2026 Sandhill Crane right in our back yard by the slough yesterday!
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