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Predators

A Loggerhead Shrike, or Butcher Bird pictured in the first photo is a fierce predatory bird. They have a specialized beak for severing the spine of their prey. They are infamous for impaling their captured prey on thorns or the barbs on wire fences. They eat insects, small rodents and amphibians. Their relatively weak legs and inability to hold their prey without talons is the reason they impale their food. It makes it easier for them to hold and eat their catch.

Some recent updates with Bobcats and Mountain Lions from the Trail Cameras follow.

I remain grateful these Lions are waiting until dark to roam the woods.

The Bobcat continues to be a mostly daytime predator. But I did manage to get a photo of two Bobcats together at night.

It may be her kitten or it may be mating season. No way to tell.

Autumn, the Briefest Season

I know that I am not alone in loving Autumn. I feel it is by far the shortest of seasons. Maybe it is my imagination because I love it so much, but it always feels like it flies by. It seems like we finally have cooler weather, the leaves turn to bright gold and far too quickly the leaves are gone, and the short dark days of winter descend.

Early Autumn along the river

We don’t have brilliant red foliage, but I love all the subtle shades of gold that paint our autumn days. Most of the leaves are gone now but there is beauty in bare branches and the silence of winter.

Out of Hiding

We have had a few storms, and cold fronts move through, and the Mule Deer rut seems to be starting early this year. Usually, I don’t see any rutting behavior until Thanksgiving which is 3 weeks away. I like to wait a few weeks to check the cameras but with daylight savings happening on Sunday I decided to go out and change the timers on all the cameras for more accurate data. What a difference a few days made. All of the sudden the big boys have come out to play!

All summer long, on the trail cams and in person I’ve only seen a few smaller bucks. I wondered if all the big ones got taken by lions, hit by cars or fell to any number hazards that they are subject to. This week several new guys showed up all at once on the trail cameras checking out the does a little early this year.

So far this is the biggest buck I’ve seen you never know who might show up to compete for the does. I think it is going to be an interesting year with everything kicking off early. I was so pleased to get the in-person photo of the stately buck I used as the feature image for this post.

Unexpected Gift

There are wild horses present in the areas I have my cameras set out. I have to carefully place them where the rampaging 1000-pound animals won’t knock them over, rub against them or otherwise play havoc with them. It is disappointing to wait two or three weeks to see what sort of photos you are going to get from a set and then walk up to the camera knocked over or askew. I have gotten better at placement, but it still happens.

A few weeks ago, I looked at one of my cameras in dismay as it had been knocked out of position and faced the bark of a big cottonwood tree that I had hoped would protect it from the horses. Well, that is going to be a complete waste of that set I thought. I was pleasantly surprised to see this little mouse show up on the tree bark at night.

Mule Deer

All of a sudden, after an incredibly hot summer, it is fall. We even got substantial rain the last few days. Rain is always welcome in the desert. It was cool enough for me to make the long hike across the river to check those cameras. I was delighted to run into several deer who have been ghosts on the trail cams. A couple of young bucks with does.

This guy has really high antlers. He still is in velvet.

This photo shows how the deer change their coats from summer red to the grey they will wear until spring of next year. The bucks are already in grey, and the doe is transitioning to it in the picture.

Mountain Lion and Bobcat Updates

I checked that trail cameras yesterday and was pleased to see that I have my first Mountain Lion showing up since February. The dates indicate that this Lion showed up the first week of September. This Lion is alone so maybe a young one or a lone male. I am pleased to see that he/she is still only a night visitor to the area as I have no desire to meet it in person. Still carrying my bear spray on my belt just in case.

On to the Bobcat…these are not great photos, but I believe it is a mama Bobcat sitting and waiting for a kitten or one of it’s kittens to catch up. You have to look closely at the photos to make them out. I apologize for the quality.

Arabian Horses

I love taking photos of wildlife and birds, but I have been neglecting another interest which is horses. I used to take a lot of wild horse photos, and I photographed barrel races and rodeos for years but have drifted away from those subjects. I am again thinking about getting out and taking wild horse photos and wanted to brush up on my skills. I live quite close to the Livestock Events center and so I spent a few days at a big Arabian Horse show that has been going on this week.

What pampered and fussed over animals these horses are! The grooming and primping was never ending as the horses were readied for their events. I had access to the barns and warm up areas which allowed me to get a lot of photos and practice.

I enjoyed photographing and spending time around these beautiful horses, but I thought they looked bored with all the falderal. I look forward to finding myself among the scruffy, unkempt wild ones once more.

Timing…

I wait all year for the 10 days of peak hummingbird activity in my backyard. Starting in May I have a few Anna’s and Black chinned Hummingbirds visiting my feeders and the early blooming flowers I’ve planted. They visit everyday but they are intermittent and hard to catch especially on flowers. I get the occasional photo but it’s nothing like that first week in August. At that time, in addition to the locals, the Rufous Hummingbirds migrate through, and the fireworks are on full display. Lots of hummingbirds, lots of aerobatic territorial fighting, several varieties of hummingbirds at the same time; in short, a hummingbird nerd’s idea of heaven.

This year wouldn’t you know it I called for Jury Duty and had to report on Monday. I prayed that I would get winnowed out through the selection process. But no, I unfortunately passed each hurdle and was seated on the jury for a trial that lasted all week. Not that I am not willing to do my civic duty, but I couldn’t help thinking not this week of all weeks. So, I missed this year’s peak week and sat in a windowless courtroom and Jury room for the entire week. I have still managed to get some captures I am happy with and there is always next summer.

and I am grateful for my freedom.