Great Basin Wildlife

There seemed to be less Pronghorn in the valley this year, but that could be as much to do with it being a drier year than last as the activity. Occasionally, one or two would walk by quite close.

I hardly saw any shrikes in the area in March, but they were quite common in April. The contrasting black and white wing patches and fluttering flight are eye-catching.

Sage Thrashers are the other common large perching bird. Rarely do I get a nice clear and close look. This look didn't last until the next frame snapped on a continuous photo burst.

I turned in this photo on bugguide.net to find out what it was. These beetles were gigantic and fairly common in the valley. It turns out that they are a kind of Darkling Beetle called a Desert Stink Beetle in the genus Eleodes. Maybe even E. obscurus.

I stopped by the Great Horned Owl nest the morning before I left to see how the owlets were doing. Both fuzzy nestlings, plus both adults, peaked out from their nest.

More Sage Thrasher

This Sage Thrasher made a stop by Comins Lake while I was sitting there. It was a treat to see him out in the open, where he couldn't slink back down below a sagebrush. I love hearing his song out in the valley.

Sage Thrasher

This thrasher is one of the more regular residents of the valley. They are certainly not there in the numbers that Sage Sparrows are, but it seems like you can usually locate a pair in good thick brush. They have a beautiful song.



View of a playa, looking towards Sacramento Pass on a cloudy day.

Catbird at my feeder

I put an orange at my feeder at work because a Baltimore Oriole came one morning. I knew something was eating the orange. This morning I caught one of the culprits. Fun.

Gray Catbird

I took this while birding at Fort Harrison. It was a joyful day, I saw my first Black-throated Blue Warbler. But this was my best picture. You can even see the rusty orange under-tail coverts.