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!
"Our" Great Blue HeronPosted: Wed, 19 Aug 2026I could always tell our resident heron for years by her missing back toe on the right foot. Now I see it is simply tucked under for some reason, a deformity I guess. Wow. |
Merlin VisitorPosted: Sun, 16 Aug 2026Down by the river this Merlin flew right to me from across the slough, 5 feet over my head and begged and begged. I thought he must be a falconry bird with that band, but turns out it's a research band from somewhere. Merlins are usually only around here in the winter (plus spring and fall) so a nice surprise. And still there yesterday, so unafraid, still begging and curious when I threw a little falconry lure with a quail leg attached. I love this bird, and appears to be the black subspecies (suckleyi).
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Got This One TodayPosted: Sat, 15 Aug 2026Osprey and a sucker (that's the fish, not me)
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Awwww!Posted: Fri, 14 Aug 2026 Baby Black-billed Magpies from a while ago. Right out of the nest. |
Brand NewPosted: Wed, 12 Aug 2026Just finished this drypoint etching "Moose Splash." An experiment and printed four on a buff-colored paper that turns out, didn't like paint and buckled up with the wet gouache. So printed on the heavier standby Rives BFK 280g. Then painted the splash with acrylic, added pencils and pastels and voila! 16 by 12 inches, first mammal since New Years Eve 2024 (the fox.)
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Lucky DayPosted: Sun, 09 Aug 2026One of the fledgling Great Blue Herons landed just across the river yesterday and caught 5 or 6 little fish, I lost track. And hundreds of photos pared down to 60, further editing today. But first a run to Stevensville to pick up frozen chickens for the eagles. Hey, it's Sunday!
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Magpie/PeregrinePosted: Sun, 09 Aug 2026 Found these shots, minutes apart of a Black-billed Magpie and Sibley the Peregrine in 2016
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What? Another Heron Photo!Posted: Sat, 08 Aug 2026Love this bird!
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Bald Eagle On the BeachPosted: Thu, 06 Aug 2026Just now and she seems to like standing on one little log in the middle of the river. Flew 30 feet over my head, tame as cat, to quote my dear friend Nick Dunlop. And Great Blue Heron nearby.
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Eastern KingbirdPosted: Wed, 05 Aug 2026This little songbird loves to chase raptors, here in my yard in the same place, a Northern Harrier and Bald Eagle. See him in between the eagles wings in that last shot? HA!
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