May Hot shoots...

May is fast approaching and that means that the wildlife photography season is really kicking into high gear. Blossoms and flowers are popping up all over. I can hear geese honking along the river, mourning doves wooing, and quail, woodpeckers and sapsuckers whistling. These are all territorial alerts signifying the establishment and defense of their own little piece of space. A sure sign that spring is here.

The first black bears of the year are emerging and can be seen grazing like cows on the south facing slopes that are “greening up” with fresh, new grass.

Photo by Jared Hobbs

Many of the birds are winding down they’re breeding display and nest building activities as they settle into incubating their eggs. This is often the best time to get good shots of birds as they are less active and more confined to their nest site.

I have checked several active bald eagle nests this last week including one just a few hundred yards form my house. I haven’t had a chance to check my favourite golden eagle nest site yet, it’s a bit of a drive from here, but I expect that pair is close to incubating as well.

I saw my first hummingbird yesterday. It landed on a branch right outside my office window but I didn’t have my camera setup and I missed the shot...time to set out the feeders.

The rattlesnakes will be emerging from their dens this week. It has been very cool at night lately and I think this has delayed their appearance by a week or two.

Of course the local ungulate species (mule and whitetail deer, bighorn sheep and elk) are well congregated on the lower south facing slopes as well. As I look across the valley from my deck I can see two groups of sheep right now. One group of about 40 ewes and lambs and a smaller group of 7 or 8 rams.

Current and imminent HOT SHOOTS:

- Bears
- Deer and sheep.
- Raptor nests
- Cavity nesters
- Songbirds
- Waterfowl
- Reptiles

Here's some more seasonally appropriate shots by friend and guide Jared Hobbs:

Red-winged blackbird; Coyote; Red-shafted flicker; Great-horned owl chick; Marmot;

California bighorn sheep; Nighthawk on nest