Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Kingbirds and eagles

Both Eastern and Western Kingbirds are common in Wyoming. The Eastern Kingbird is very dark, while the Western Kingbird has a yellow belly. In the photo below, the Western is on the left, while the Eastern sits on the right.

North of Powell. June, 2010.

Kingbirds belong to the genus Tyrannus, probably because--in spite of their size--they are little tyrants who are extremely feisty and aggressive in chasing off intruders who stray into their territory.

When the Bald Eagle was chosen as America's national symbol, Benjamin Franklin was not happy. In a letter to his daughter he wrote "Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem . . . ."

I saw an example of this recently north of Powell. While the images leave much to be desired, they do capture the little kingbird boldly attacking a golden eagle and driving him off.

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Monday, July 26, 2010

The Pitcher

Cooper Wise, pitcher for the Powell All-Stars, eyes a runner at first base during the recent Babe Ruth state championship held in Powell. The Powell team went undefeated in the tournament and captured the state title for the second year in a row.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Scuffling pheasants

North of Powell. May, 2010.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Afternoon antelope

Polecat Bench. July, 2010.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Mule Deer Fawn

North of Powell. July, 2010.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Northern Flicker

Powell. July, 2010.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Summer shower

Polecat Bench. July, 2010.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Pilot and Index Peaks

July, 2010.
On an exceptionally clear day before fire season kicks in.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Buffalo Jam

Hayden Valley. July, 2010.
Buffalo tend to wander across the highway in Hayden Valley, creating large traffic jams.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Elk and Grizzly

Hayden Valley. July, 2010.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Burrowing Owl

North of Powell. July, 2010.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Prismatic Mist

Grand Prismatic springs, Yellowstone. July, 2010
(The steam from the hot springs reflects the spring's colors.)

Friday, July 9, 2010

Fogbow (aka white rainbow)

Hayden Valley, Yellowstone. July 2010.

A fogbow, also known as a white rainbow, occurs when the droplets of moisture are too small to act as prisms, which happens in a normal rainbow. The result has the shape of a rainbow, but it is all white. This one formed as the early morning fog was breaking up in Hayden Valley.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Powell Fireworks

4th of July, 2010.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Horned Lark

North of Powell. June, 2010.