Category: Birds and Waterfowl

The Stunning Sandhill Crane Migration!

Posted on by Joy

Hello! It has been a while, so time to catch up. Right now I’m sitting in a VRBO in Montana seriously considering moving back to the Treasure State. Not to mention ongoing worry about destruction of our National Parks and Monuments and privatization of virtually every part of government that is still standing. However, as we all know, worry does nothing but make you sick, so send letters, make phone calls, vote, we can only do what we can do–keep on keeping on my friend!

Enough of all that. We can all agree to disagree. That’s truly the American Way!

What a wonderful trip to Monte Vista again this year to see the Sandhill Cranes as they migrate north. The experience was a bit different than the last three years. Thousands upon thousands, but none very close. Saw ducks already in their most gorgeous mating colors, and a big surprise–at the very end, of course 😉 .

Check this out!

SNAP*Shot: Mountain Bluebirds

Posted on by Joy

Hello friend! It was a wonderful trip spending time with Sandhill Cranes this March. However, there was another site I know you’ll enjoy as much as I did. What a surprise to spend time with a flock of Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides). You cannot miss them hunting in the grasses. They clearly do not blend in.

Look over there!

SNAP*Shot: Canada Jay–Mutually Captivated

Posted on by Joy

Living anywhere in North America, you will see birds in the Corvidae family: Crows, Ravens, Magpies, Nutcrackers, and Jays. They are bold, tend to be very noisy, and are the most intelligent birds in the world. Their intelligence actually surpasses that of many mammals. Research has shown that Corvids are capable of recalling specific past events, planning for the future, using cooperative problem-solving, and creating novel tools to solve problems. Maybe we should elect a few crows to Congress!

We know Jays in the USA because most are blue, but Canada Jays (Perisoreus canadensis) wear no blue and are slightly smaller, about the size of a robin. Living in spruce/pine/fir forests, they blend in nicely. They are quieter than their cousins, but much more curious. Never hesitating to get close to humans, they may land on your head or hand. I had a unique experience hiking in the mountains near home at an elevation of 9,200 feet. Hi there!

This is so fun!

Beauty, Diversity, Partnerships Commingle at Ninepipes

Posted on by Joy

We only have one day to explore Ninepipes National Wildlife Refuge. The weather is not too promising, but such is spring in Montana. Over the course of the day we may see sun, then rain, then sun, then clouds. An ever-changing landscape, but the birds are consistent. Waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors alike are nesting and beginning to raise their next generation.

We are 18 miles south of Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi in the lower 48 states, with over 200 square miles of water and 185 miles of shoreline. The refuge sits in the Mission Valley with the Mission Mountains east and the Salish Mountains west, but the center of our attention is the 1,672 acre lake in the middle of the refuge surrounded by many smaller ponds.

Entrance to Ninepipes is right across the road from the Lodge. You can see a bit of light above the grass line which is the lobby/restaurant entrance. Let’s explore a while before breakfast. It is a bit before 6am and the birds are calling as the sky brightens. Let’s see what surprises we find at sunrise!

Mission Mnts sunrise

So much to see . . .