Canyon Birds

We made a trip to the canyon this morning to do some more photography. The Mississippi Kites were everywhere! Must be a good food year for them down there. As we drove around checking out various parts of the park, we came across a couple of birds we hadn't seen before.

This one is a Gambel's Quail. It was one of a pair that had a brood of chicks they were watching over. This male was on lookout, and he was facing his chicks and mate that were safely hiding in the brush.

This is the Bullock's Oriole. We first saw him when this blazing orange thing flew by.

*********

(Addendum: Sunday - July 5, 2009)

Another trip to Palo Duro Canyon today gave us another treat shortly before sunset. Hundreds - literally hundreds of turkey vultures were amassing at the lower end of the park to roost in trees. Wave after wave of vultures arrived for a good hour anyhow. It was the most amazing thing I've seen in the bird world.



.