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 😉 .
We got to Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge late afternoon, so sunset wasn’t far off. What lovely colors.
Blanca Peak, the highest mountain in the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rockies. Sitting at 14,351 feet, Blanca Peak is the fourth tallest peak in North America’s Rocky Mountains. Certainly looks beautiful with the fading evening light.
As the cranes head to their safe overnight roosts in shallow waters around San Luis Valley, sometimes we are lucky enough to capture one right overhead.
Heading out about an hour before sunrise, let’s go to one of the overnight roosts in the Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge.
A lovely early morning sky over Blanca Peak. Yes! We have close to 100 birds roosting here. As the sun rises they begin taking off. Joining many others in the fields throughout this agricultural area, they feed on grains, grasses, roots, tubers, and invertebrates. The cranes typically feed and rest for a week or two before continuing their journey north.
They aren’t exactly overnighting in shallow water, it is mostly ice, but there is some water popping through. Don’t you wonder if birds get cold feet? With those skinny legs and feet, how can they stand all night on ice and in freezing water?? Glad you asked.
As they begin taking off to feed, they usually leave in small groups from two to about eight birds.
Once you hear their call, you will never forget it!
Coming from every direction, landing in fields for their breakfast. Their time feeding and resting during mid day is called loafing. They may be by water or in open fields during loafing, usually in very large groups. As afternoon wanes, they return to the many ponds and lakes in San Luis Valley for safe overnight roosts including the one we saw earlier.
Safe roosts? Yes, from predators like coyotes. Sandhill Cranes are big birds, rather chunky as you can see by the pictures. They stand from about 3.5 foot to almost 6 foot tall. They could make a good meal–and they know it.
As the cranes relax, there are other birds for us to see, mostly waterfowl this time of year. Bit early for songbirds, but Red-winged Blackbird males are here staking out their territory in the reeds for when the females return in three to four weeks and courtship begins.
Let’s check on the ducks! Ah, one of my favorites:
The Cinnamon Teal. This is a male Teal in full mating color. Teals are dabbling ducks. That means they feed at the water’s surface, upending with their heads underwater and bums in the air. The also feed on the land. They are smallish ducks, about the size of a crow. Don’t you just love the bright red eye?
Here’s a Bufflehead pair. Yes, the male’s dark areas are iridescent. They are about the same size as the Cinnamon Teal but are diving ducks. Can be very annoying, right before the perfect picture, they disappear underwater. Well, everyone has to eat.
Next up? The Ruddy Duck. This is a juvenile or non-breeding male. They are brown like the females, but with large white cheeks only males have. Ruddy Ducks are diving ducks. Both males and females have stout, slightly scoop-shaped bills, large heads, and typically swim with their stiff tails in the air. In the past we have only seen brown Ruddy Ducks here in March, but this year some are in their gorgeous mating attire. We have not seen any females though.
Yes, bright baby-blue bill, but by fall he will lose this coloring and be brown, including the bill. He looks a bit messy and he’ll have to clean up his white cheeks later, but we caught him fishing for breakfast. Obviously he was digging in the mud below the water’s surface.
Let’s talk a minute about female ducks. They are all, every species of duck, a drab brown. Each species may have a cheek spot that’s lighter, as you saw on the Bufflehead above, or a stipe or eye spot, but still, just plain brown. Why?
After ducks mate is becomes the females sole responsibility to build the nest, lay the eggs, and raise the young. Many ducks nest on pond/lake edges and MUST blend into the surroundings to successfully raise their young. The male may hang around, but is not involved and doesn’t stay that close to nesting area. His bright coloring will draw the attention of predators–drab brown does not.
Both male and female chicks are their mom’s same brown coloring until they are nearly adults. It is all about staying unseen–and alive–in the wild.
It isn’t only cranes and waterfowl we are seeing. There are a few song birds that live here all year. Can you guess this one? Hint: look how wide open the bill is when singing.
There is an eastern species and a western species–hard to tell apart.
Western Meadowlark. Oh, the lovely song you can’t miss when hearing them in the open prairies. Just click play on the link’s picture.
Of course the gorgeous Mountain Bluebird. Bluebirds often hang around in one place a while and this fella was hunting in the growth below then popping up to be easily seen. He stayed with us about 45 minutes.
Remember at the beginning I said there was a big surprise? Well here it is. There were thousands upon thousands of Canada Geese. Have never seen so many–anywhere! You know them–well, no comment. Anyway, one small lake was loaded with them, even the island in the lake was covered. But we saw something else. Can you see it?
I have only seen a few in northern Montana but here you are!
A Snow Goose! Visiting with the cousins on the way north?
Again a wonderful visit with the cranes. Do you know the red on their head is actually skin, not feathers? Under stress they may pull that skin a lot further back on their head. I think, though, that this crane may just have a shape that you don’t often see. I love you too fella/gal.
Sandhill Cranes mate for life and can live for 30 years, finding their life mate at age 5 to 7 years old. This pair is heading north, and it is likely I will be too, but later in the season.
Until next time my friend, enjoy the birds near you that either migrate through or stay for your summer enjoyment!
So wonderful!!Thank you!!