Bear Creek Nature Center

Life is incredible.  While visiting places around the world or near home, I always try to keep it close to areas protected for wildlife.  For many people, they'll just see a bird or two because they have kids or a dog on the trails.  It's natural for animals to "disappear" during the very busy human afternoon hours.  For wildlife photographers, the best time is when there is NO ONE around.  Nature should be shared by all.  Understanding this mentality, makes the wildlife/photographer aficionados plan carefully around the general public's schedule. 

White-winged Dove

We planned a family trip to Bear Creek Nature Preserve in Colorado Springs during the holidays with few people on the trails.  I love the walks but I also break off from time to time to explore the "quiet" spaces.  I discovered a fox and it got my heart beating real fast.  We were very close and I kept absolutely quiet, but I felt upset about discovering the spot where it was hiding.  I kept it quiet.  But as I do when looking for birds, I am super stealthy around corners and that's where the fox was hiding.  It felt trapped and that's the last thing I wanted for it to feel.  If it had been a bear or mountain lion, I may have found myself on the ground:)  But the fox slipped off into the shadows looking back at me from time to time.

Mountain Chickadee

Some animals or birds, don't mind the visits or creepy people filming them.  And sometimes you'll find yourself in dark tunnels with bikers:)

Either way, Colorado Springs is a real joy to visit.  It's a city full of life....human or wildlife.  In fact, it's one of the healthiest cities of the US.  People are out everywhere running, biking, hiking, and whatever else one does to stay fit.  It did get cold here though.....

Steller's Jay-unusual coloring for me, but these are the CO variety

The one thing unusual about this town is the early sunset.  Because of the mountains, everything goes dark early in the afternoon.  And it gets cold!  The weather is unpredictable and when we left, there was a huge snow storm! 

Knowing the fox was nearby, I snuck around one last time to spot this gorgeous creature.  But it was the last time we saw each other again.  I had not expected to get such beautiful closeups of this creature....ever!

During the month of February, I'm going to show some other critters I glimpsed in and around Tucson.  I'm finding that birding stronger has also allowed me to spot so much more than just the feathered critters.  It's incredible how camouflage plays a big role with all of these animals.

And during the month of February, I have some truly marvelous finds for you all. Of course, Ms. Kathie Brown and myself have joined together to find all of the birds in Arizona.  Well maybe not:) But just wait until you see what we turned up on our search around the state of Arizona during our BIG JANUARY!

For now, I'll leave you all with this parting shot of the fox.  Stay tuned for more next week.....

 Bear Creek Nature Preserve

  245 Bear Creek Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 

Phone:(719) 520-6387

Everytime I hear the words, White-winged Dove, this song always comes to mind.  In fact I hum the tune to Kathie, but I don't think she knows it.  Stevie Nicks is one of my favorites:)

                                         

Making The Time

Finally!  I caught the beauty and detail of the Northern Flicker in flight.  Look at the lovely underside of this bird!

Finding the time to bird with loved ones around can be challenging, BUT I'm here to say that it's possible! I caught onto the birding phenomenon later than some folks.  It's an addiction.  Sometimes I don't even want to do the photography as I want to just count birds.  But I NEVER leave the camera at home.  If I had, I would have been disappointed missing out on these moments.

Northern Harrier

While everyone slept during the morning hours, I got up early and put on my heavy jacket, grabbed my camera, and headed out that door.  One of the things I learned from Kathie was that you don't have to go far to bird.  You can bird at feeders in backyards or you can head out to city parks.  In most cities, there are lots of parks just minutes away from residential areas. Within 10 minutes of walking, I arrived at Cheyenne Meadows Mountain Park.

Bushtit

I felt recharged and relaxed.  Remember most locals take their bird populations for granted.  For an outsider, this was exciting stuff.   I was finally able to capture a Western Bluebird with great detail as well as the Bushtit!  I had spotted this bird in Bosque Del Apache but was disappointed by the photography.  They were too far from my camera.  But in Colorado Springs, I heard them in the bushes and called out to them.  And they all flew out to greet me.....and that's when I was able to accurately ID and get detailed shots of them.

Western Bluebird

While all this was going on, there were kids playing football out in the fields.  While all this was going on, a Northern Harrier came out for some great viewing.

And while in Colorado Springs, keep your eyes open for some amazing wildlife.  It's everywhere!  The city has done a great job preserving and protecting their animals.  I wanted to stop for all the incredible deer opportunities but we kept driving past them.  They are very common apparently.

While we were in Colorado Springs, it snowed and the waters froze.  It wasn't difficult to spot birds but what was tricky was going at "birder pace" with non birders.  By the time I'd get to see a bird, it would fly off and disappear. So this stroll in the park allowed me to really observe known and unknown birds better.  The best part about most birding is that it's free while still super entertaining:)

And while birds are the primary target, animals, plants and other fun things are wonderful additions.

And all while this was going on around me......

......in bush, on ground, in the air........

.....around the snow.......

.....a lifebird......the Townsend's Solitaire(below) flew into my life.  A good day indeed!

So, I'd highly recommend visiting local parks wherever you travel because they are full of wonderful discoveries.  All you have to do is make the time:)