Al Larson Photography

When spring weather finally softens we will be out birding, checking bluebird boxes and doing fieldtrips. This shot was taken the last of May two years ago. We were on a fieldtrip to Prairie, ID to check a few nestboxes and do some general birding. The Golden Eagle Audubon Society members enjoy getting out in Nature’s great wonderland. In this scene we paused at the rim of the South Fork of the Boise River canyon. It was fascinating to peer down several hundred feet at the fast flowing stream below. At this time of year it is common to see White-throated Swift, Violet-green and Rough-winged Swallow in the canyon. Turkey Vulture, Golden Eagle and Prairie Falcon soar in the updrafts over the high cliffs on the horizon.

Wild flowers bloom in profusion on the hillsides along the road. Many members of our club enjoy finding a rare or unusual flower. Where there are flowers there are butterflies, another treat.

Beware at the edge of the canyon though. That first step into space is a long one!

These Spring mornings are GREAT!  We wake up to the chuckling sounds of the rushing creek and the cheerful songs of  birds. Just outside the bedroom door a robin greets the new day and proclaims this as his territory. This is a beautiful day.

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Last summer I came upon this grizzly scene. I was checking nestboxes on one of my bluebird trails. When I approached one of the boxes I found this dead adult mountain bluebird and a very much alive Rubber Boa Charina bottae on the ground beneath the box. This was the first time I had ever witnessed a rubber boa with prey. The reptile must have captured the bird on the ground. I can’t imagine it inside the nest box trying to push a dead bird out of the hole.

This is the second sighting of an American Robin in my yard this spring. The skiff of snow that had fallen during the night had gradually melted away. The robin seems to have come in because of  the presence of siskins, juncos and jays in the area. It stuck around just long enough to have its picture taken. The wire fence could not hold the bird, of course, but I was able to capture it in the camera.

Here it is Spring! One would think that flowers would be in full bloom and the birds building their nests. This snow seems to say, “Whoa.” However, this morning our first robin made an appearance in the yard and a Spotted Towhee visited the feeders. A flock of about 20 wild turkeys arrived to take over the yard. Even after having been away all winter the turkeys remembered and followed me to their old feeding area. This ol’ boy in the photo shows it’s not too early to strut.