In early November, the huz and I took a ride on the Harley-Polaris (as he calls it) up into the Hills on a trail just W a couple miles from our house. It was a gorgeous day for a trail ride and 'treasure hunt' ...
I was amazed to find this lone red clover still hanging on despite all the snow we had in Oct...
The long tail, short wing span, and small size tell me this could be a Cooper's or sharp-shinned hawk...but what I can barely see of its head, it looks like an American kestrel...
Common juniper, a cypress, is one of three junipers found in the BHs, and the most common...the berries can be found scattered all over the ground now; they're a food for grouse, small mammals, and deer. They're also used for gin! There's also a creeping juniper, much less common, and the Rocky Mt. juniper tree, which seems most common in the Wind Cave Park area.
The kinnikinnik, or bearberry, can bear fruit from July, all the way into the following spring...
So far, I haven't ID'd this hawk, but I sure tried...the raptors were out in force that day...
Update: Thanks Caroline, it totally does match the Ferruginous hawk, dark morph! Warren, no buzzards here, just turkey vultures (same thing?) and they have ugly red heads!
A few deep red wild strawberry leaves were found under the Ponderosas...
The forest ground is dotted all over with Aspen bark, nature's sheets of paper...
A rusty brown leaf with a single hole...these always make me think of nature's pendants.
That un. id'd Hawk looks a bit Buzzard like Jann.
ReplyDeleteJann, looks like an adult dark morph Ferruginous to me. Basing id on Nat'l Geographic field guide based on dark leading edges of wings and head, plus all white, unbanded tail. Check it out and see what you think.
ReplyDeletejann,
ReplyDeleteSuch nice finds from your treasure hunt ride! You always see so many different birds and know so much about the local flora..I really need to learn more names of trees and plants!! Another goal for the coming year!
Do hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving!