Photographing with Hazel dog

So usually I go photographing by myself for a few hours, then go home and get Hazel out for a hike. When I got up this morning, it was cold and cloudy with a bit of snow on the ground. So I decided to relax, enjoy my coffee and some breakfast. Then I grabbed my camera, Hazel dog and headed out to the Boulder Valley Ranch loop. Every once in awhile it's fun to combine some photographing with a Hazel dog hike.

This is a bullock's oriole nest. They headed south for the winter. They don't reuse the nest but I have seen them pull off material for a new nest. Recycling at it's finest!

We got about 3 inches of snow yesterday....

Hazel loves the snow!

A kestrel was perched and looking for breakfast.....

After seeing the kestrel, it was pretty quiet. So this fence post caught my eye.....

But then it got exciting! I saw a small bird fly into a bush. I wasn't sure what kind of bird it was, so I walked toward the bush to get a better look. Seems there were about 4 or 5 coyotes not far from the bush and a bit camouflaged in the tall grass. I startled them and they headed up the hill. Luckily Hazel could care less as she just sat by me and watched them.....

I think this guy is missing his tail.....

Well that was pretty exciting. The coyotes do live here year round but are more visible in the winter as finding food is a bit harder for them.

Just then a nice gal- Emily and her dog Sam walked by. I have seen them out here before, so we did the rest of the loop together. Turned out Emily is a photographer too, so we talked shop the rest of the hike.....

Just before we were done hiking, I spotted this cute prairie dog......

I decided to go home the long way and stop by another owl nest I know of. I call them the Coot lake owls. When I had stopped by during the summer to check on the pair, I only saw the male. After a few more check-ins I decided something must have happened to the female. So today was the first time I had stopped by since July. 
As I hopped the fence, I wondered if he was around as he can be very shy. Well, I looked up and there he was looking very relaxed.....

Hmmmm was this the male coot lake owl? I was not sure! This owl seemed way too comfortable with me being there.

A kestrel family lives here too. This guy would fly after the owl each time he flew......

 I am wondering if this is one of Sonny and Cher's off spring. This past summer there was a young GHO on the north shore of the rez which is very close to this location. This owl did seem very comfortable with me, like he/she knew me. Time will tell but I will be stopping back more often to see what develops.

So Hazel and I had a fun day! And today was our 2 year anniversary of Hazel joining the family! I can't believe it's only 2 years.......

Thanks for reading!