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.

_______________

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.

Scuffling pheasants

North of Powell. May, 2010.

Afternoon antelope

Polecat Bench. July, 2010.

Mule Deer Fawn

North of Powell. July, 2010.

Northern Flicker

Powell. July, 2010.

Summer shower

Polecat Bench. July, 2010.

Pilot and Index Peaks

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

Buffalo Jam

Hayden Valley. July, 2010.

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

Elk and Grizzly

Hayden Valley. July, 2010.

Burrowing Owl

North of Powell. July, 2010.

Prismatic Mist

Grand Prismatic springs, Yellowstone. July, 2010

(The steam from the hot springs reflects the spring's colors.)

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.

Powell Fireworks

4th of July, 2010.

Horned Lark

North of Powell. June, 2010.