Sunday at Barr Lake

I wasn't sure what I would wake up to this morning. Some thunder storms came through around 3am. So maybe it would be cloudy and rainy this morning. Nope! It was a lovely morning to go out photographing!

I decided to spend the morning at Barr Lake and explore. Of course I checked on the burrowing owls but they were sleeping in. So I headed into the park and looked forward to a beautiful morning. I headed over to the barn owl box. She was in there snoozing away. I am so hoping to see baby barn owls soon!

As I was walking back to the refuge area, this cute young swainson's hawk posed for me.

Kingbirds were all over the place. Here is an eastern kingbird.....

And just had to grab a pic of this cute rabbit.....

I just love the kestrels.....

I was almost to fox trail when I spotted a bird on the sign post. At first I thought it was a barn swallow. Luckily I took a look through my lens and realized it was a blue grosbeak! Sweet! I got an okay pic of one about 4 years ago and hadn't seen one since. What a beautiful bird!

I got to the gazebo and walked out to the end......

A few pelicans flew by.....

There were lots of western kingbird families.....

And a female bullock's oriole was around too.....

This young kingbird was hoping for a hand out from mom but it never happened.....

Then an immature bald eagle flew by....

Then this young kingbird was acting like an owl and regurgitated something. Maybe a piece of a dragonfly that didn't taste good :)

 After enjoying my time at the gazebo, I headed back. Spotted a momma mule deer and her two fawns. Here is one of them.....

So I get back to the car and am getting ready to leave when I spot a large bird near the nature center. Hmmm what the heck is that? I had no idea, so looked it up when I got home. Seems it is a game bird called a chukar. They were introduced as a game bird from eurasia and live in the western united states. Cool! 

Well that was a fun morning! I'm hoping to see the super moon tonight but it seems unlikely. The clouds are rolling in, so I will just have to wait and see. My sister is doing a moon light kayak on the Hudson river, so hopefully she will get some pics tonight.....

thanks for reading!