Checking in at Barr Lake

Time to go out to Barr Lake! Of course I was hoping to see some burrowing owls, the barn owls and maybe western grebe chicks too. So I was out the door by 5:15am and excited to see what the day would bring.

I checked the burrowing owls on Piccadilly Rd but no one was around. So I headed over to the DIA loop to look for them. Bingo! I saw a flew fly by while this one posed so nicely for me!

After enjoying the burrowing owl, I headed towards Barr Lake. Along the way I spotted this swainson's hawk.......

Made it into Barr Lake, parked the car and grabbed my camera. I usually walk over to the barn owl nest box, then double back and head into the refuge area. As I was headed to the barn owls, this cute young robin posed for me. You can start to see the orange coming out on the chest area......

 At first I was not sure who this was. Then I realized it was a young bullock's! Cool! I don't think I've ever seen a young bullock's. These guys mean business!  They arrive in mid May, build their nests, lay their eggs, raise their young and are headed south by August. 

Here's momma bullock's oriole....

No barn owls were around. Damn! There were young owlets in the nest box a few weeks ago but seems they have "left the building". Someday I will get to see young barn owls but not today.....

So I doubled back and walked into the refugee area. There were lots of grebes around but no chicks yet......

That is a weird looking foot!

The bullock's were everywhere! Here's a female with breakfast for the kids....

There are also a gazillion western kingbirds. This looks like a young one to me.....

There are always lots of rabbits. This one was comfortable enough to continue eating while I took pics......

Another bullock's. This looks like a painting, huh?

I see chickadees all the time but they hardly ever sit still long enough to get a pic. This youngster was nice enough to hold still for a second. So darn cute!

And also dragonflies were quite abundant but a challenge to get a pic. Finally got this......

I made it out to the gazebo. It was fairly quiet except for the pelican show!

So I headed back to the trailhead and parking lot. It was already getting hot and it was only 9am. So it was a long walk back. This cute house wren posed for me just as I made it back to the trailhead.

Of course I had to head back over to the DIA loop on my way home. Bingo! Now one of the burrowing owls was perched on the stop sign.

I'm sure there were baby burrowing owls in the field but the grasses were pretty high and it was HOT! So maybe another time. I drove the rest of the loop and didn't see anything, so I headed home. It was Hazel time and luckily she loves to swim. So she got some good exercise it the heat.

Thanks for reading!