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!
SundayPosted: Mon, 19 May 2025Finally a snapshot with one of the two nestlings. I was headed to the beach with the dogs and turned around to go get my camera, thankfully.
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Tree Swallows!Posted: Sun, 18 May 2025
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House Wren SongPosted: Fri, 16 May 2025Yay! One singing in the yard and so much hope they nest near-by, my favorite songbird.
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Blog, May 14, 2011Posted: Wed, 14 May 2025Snipe Really Do Exist
I pointed out a flying Wilson’s Snipe to some visitors this week, and they were surprised to learn that there really is such a thing. Apparently one of our friendswas tricked into “snipe hunts” as a kid, pointless ventures into the night with a sack, a practical joke played on all kids. This was a male snipe performing an elaborate flight display marking his territory, flying high and plunging toward the ground. Special muscles fan out his tail feathers which vibrate and make a beautiful winnowing sound. Instead of the typical 12 tail feathers of other birds including sandpipers, snipe have 14 or 16 depending on subspecies. They must have a nest in the grass near the house, and this guy displays well past dark.
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Wilson's SnipeLandPosted: Tue, 13 May 2025Man I love these birds and trying to get a flight shot today, an older photo here. The one today was circling the house high above with the tell-tale winnowing sound of tail feathers. We never saw one last year, formally pretty common along with House Wrens and hope they show up again to nest near-by. Plus the Soras, Vaux's Swifts and Bullock's Orioles. Fingers crossed.
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Balsamroot HotspotPosted: Fri, 09 May 2025Actually, Arrowleaf Balsamroot all over the place, blooming now and beaucoup at my favorite secret spot. That sign says, "Welcome Kate!" Will be perfect in a couple days when the bulk of the lupine is in bloom, but supposed to be overcast and rainy, not perfect for photography. Perfect for the flowers, and that's what matters.
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Le NestPosted: Thu, 08 May 2025 I just saw TWO chicks through the scope from the house. Try again this afternoon...
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Nest todayPosted: Wed, 07 May 2025 Female landing above, male delivering a nice whitefish, and young are camera-shy.
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Dad and Mom Hairy WoodpeckersPosted: Mon, 05 May 2025
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May DayPosted: Sun, 04 May 2025This shot from 2002, three young that year and still trying to count the young this year in that giant nest. And two years ago today I had my botched total knee replacement surgery, in pain ever since. Looks like I'll have to undergo another surgery, do it again, utterly awful. I was sick for months, anemia infusion treatments, lost 20 pounds and could't stay awake longer that a couple hours. Botch = mangle in the dictionary.
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