My owl friends: Sunday at Walden Ponds

We are having some spectacular weather for Memorial Day weekend. So of course I had to get out for some photographing today! I decided to stay close to home, so I headed over to Walden Ponds. On the way, I took a look for my owl friends but no one was around. The youngsters are very mobile, so I knew it would be a crap shoot to find them. Oh well.....

Walden Ponds did not disappoint! This cute robin welcomed me as I started out......

The views of the snow capped mountains was amazing!

Yes! Yellow warblers are so gorgeous! This guy was high up in the tree but I had to attempt a few pics!

Bullock's orioles were everywhere but they usually stay high up in the trees. I got very lucky with this flight shot and then he perched nearby. These birds are pretty special! They arrive in early May, quickly build a nest, have their young and head south in early August. So I always look forward to seeing them each spring!

I didn't walk far before seeing a tree full of swallows. This is a violet green swallow......

And this is a bank swallow! I would have thought it was a northern rough wing swallow but luckily I met a birder and after chatting about swallows, it helped me realize who this was.

The western wood-pewees were everywhere! Luckily this one posed nicely for me!

The wrens were everywhere too!

And I saw one goose family!

Yea! Then a yellow warbler gave me some nice shots!

Sweet! My first sand piper of the season! I have been hearing them but not seeing them until today.

The sand piper was hanging out with the killdeer.....

Looks like they are having a meeting.....

Turtle reflection!

I was back at the trailhead and saw this robin with a mouthful of worms! Yum!

And then she flew into her nest under the picnic shelter. Looks like two youngsters!

There was a pair of avocets in the main pond.I never get tired of seeing these birds!

So next I stopped at 75th St but all was quiet so I headed back over to my see my owl friends. Just as I got out of the car, the crows were making a fuss. So of course I had to see what the fuss was. Yup! They were harassing Sonny. He was tucked into a big cottonwood and dealing with all the fuss nicely. Bummer, but he was not in a place to get any pics. The crews continued harassing him for a bit and then a sharp shinned hawk and a blue jay joined in too. It was quite noisy for a bit.....

I decided to walk down the old nest trail. My friends and I had wondered if the owlets would get over there eventually. I didn't see anyone but I will check again soon.
I did see two large snapping turtles soaking up the sun. And I also ran into my drumming teacher, Gregg!