Nature

Fairy-slipper

Anytime there are orchids along a hike, it's extra special! Calypso Orchids (Fairy Slipper) near the South San Juan WIlderness...

It's Columbine season in the Rockies, and the trails are lined with these small jewels. Red columbine, Aquilegia elegantula

Eight-spotted Skimmer, Libellula forensis

Eight-spotted skimmer along a lake shore in Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Pagosa Skyrocket

The endangered Pagosa Skyrocket, Ipomopsis polyanthus, grows only in two isolated populations near Pagosa Springs, CO. The area where this particular photo was taken has recently been acquired by the state of Colorado and will become the Pagosa Skyrocket Natural Area, protecting the largest population.

Carmentis Checkerspot Butterfly

Variable Checkerspot butterfly, Euphydryas anicia carmentis. Pagosa Springs is the type locality for this subspeices, AKA Carmentis Checkerspot.

Flight of the Cranes

Two Sandhill Cranes in flight during spring migration, over Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge.

Pagosa Buck

A Mule Deer buck surveys his territory in early September.

Western Scrub Jay

Western Scrub Jay perched in a shrub

Fritillary (Mormon, I think)

Yellow-headed Blackbird, male, at Echo Canyon Reservoir

Bighorn Family

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, near Treasure Falls

Osprey in Flight

Osprey in flight over Echo Canyon Reservoir near Pagosa Springs

Northern Goshawk

Northern Goshawk on a pine tree in winter

Bull Moose Feeding

Bull moose feeding in the early morning sun, at a wetland near Silverton, CO

Ice Skating in Pagosa

Two Canadians reflect on a flock of Mallards

Gulf Fritillary

Gulf Fritillary butterfly on milkweed in Central Texas

Two Sandhill Cranes in Flight

Two cranes in flight, Monte Vista NWR

Sandhill Cranes Loafing in a Grain Field

Marching Sandhill Cranes

Sandhill Crane in a Field

Lone Sandhill Crane in a field

Neon Skimmer Dragonfly

Neon skimmer perched on a twig above a small pond

Halloween Pennant Dragonfly

Halloween Pennant teed up on a dried weed in a breeze

A Flight of Cranes near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Sandhill Cranes fly over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at sunset.