adam_jack's WildObs.com Encounters

Garter Snake

2012-02-15T23:55:30Z

Huge Hairy Moth

2011-03-11T08:05:50Z

Huge Hairy Moth
This wonderful creature chose my garage wall as it's hang out for the day.

Face to Face

2011-03-11T07:37:06Z

Face to Face
The flash startled the bear, and it became inquisitive before it wandered off. I was so torn between wanting it to enjoy the shelter, and not wanting such a huge guy to get comfortable so close to my family.

Bear break in a storm

2011-03-11T07:37:06Z

Bear break in a storm
A large black bear (all fat for winter) was attempting to get some shelter from the feet of snow (2 or 3 at this point) under our eaves, right outside our bedroom window. I'd cleared the driveway, so s/he'd walked right up and found a nice sheltered spot by the house and traded shelter for the smell of humans. Any port in a storm, and all that. The poor bear had snow stuck in the fur of it's paws (just as my dog used to get) and was clearly not enjoying the weather. Fall is meant to be too early to hibernate, but this might change a bear's mind!

Black Fox Silhouette

2011-04-02T03:33:00Z

Black Fox Silhouette
S/he climbed the hill and left me behind, but the silhouette was a good one.

Western Swallowtail Butterfly caterpillar

2011-03-11T07:02:54Z

Western Swallowtail Butterfly caterpillar
This big guy kept the kids entertained for ages.

Small Owl calling from a tree top

2011-03-11T08:24:43Z

Small Owl calling from a tree top
This little guy (with a strangely thin tail for an owl) was calling from the tree tops. I couldn't see it but the sound felt like owl, and having heard it a number of times over the last decade, I wanted to know what it was. I was able to locate it (from it's sound, but also with the help of some chickadee's) and took this photo. Not great 'cos my digital camera likes to focus on the foliage an not the focus of my attention, but it might help with an identification.

Lady Bug Gathering

2011-03-11T07:22:05Z

Lady Bug Gathering

Dragonfly Larvae

2011-03-11T07:24:20Z

Dragonfly Larvae
Found this guy while fishing for newts. Is it a dragonfly larvae, like I think?

Black Fox

2011-03-11T07:52:20Z

Black Fox
This red fox crossed my path, only s/he wasn't red ... nor silver, nor albino/leucistic ... but black!

Turkey on the Roof

2011-03-11T08:04:25Z

Turkey on the Roof
We get Turkey around all the time, but not normally on the roof! Our garage connects with the ground at the back of the house, so these two were able to just walk up. What was really fun was watching them fly down ... yes, these birds can fly. :)

Garter Snake

2011-03-11T07:21:46Z

Garter Snake

Eyes bigger than jaws?

2011-03-11T08:14:17Z

Eyes bigger than jaws?
This 7 inch long fish was left here earlier. This evening this 24 inch snake has moved it into this protected area, and is attempting a great cleanup job. At over an inch wide ... Wow!

Lubber Grasshopper

2011-03-11T08:13:55Z

Lubber Grasshopper
I never knew grasshoppers came in this size! This poor guy was nearing the end of his life when I found him in the grass, but gosh -- he's a prize size!

Hello Tri-Bob -- Happy New Year

2011-03-11T07:48:26Z

Hello Tri-Bob -- Happy New Year
Oh my gosh! I started 2009 with "wildlife goals" that included what species I wanted to encounter. Pretty high on the (practically achievable :-) list was bobcat and I was thrilled to encounter one early in the year. http://wildobs.com/adam_jack/2009/1/20/Limping-predator It turned out I'd met "Tri-Bob" a local celebrity ... a three legged bobcat that has survived for years with just three legs (incredibly it is a back one that is missing.) Driving home tonight I saw a critter crossing the road up ahead. Lo-and-behold ... Tri-Bob! Oh my gosh ... and I hadn't even found time to set my goals yet! Wonderfully he (she?) wandered into a driveway but stayed in sight. S/he jumped up onto a fence and stopped for a break. Much as things much be tough on a limping predator s/he looked very healthy. All I had with my was my iPhone but I managed to get this snap (above.)

Our First Bat!

2011-03-11T08:03:02Z

Our First Bat!
About a year ago we received a bat box. We painted it black (per instructions for this altitude at this latitude), mounted it on the house in a place w/ sun, but not too much sun, and started waiting. I've checked that box regularly ever since. Today... a bat! Wonderful. Photo: I didn't want to disturb the little guy too much, hence the horrible/blurry photo. Still, the memory will remain in focus even if the photo isn't!

Bald Eagle

2011-03-11T07:46:12Z

Bald Eagle
A wonderful welcome to the lake. A eagle (they come here for the winter) eating a fish, with what seemed like a juvenile watching from a distance.

Cougar in bed

2011-03-11T06:54:24Z

Cougar in bed
Sitting in bed at night (in a basement bedroom with window at ground height) and Kyla (the pup) goes nuts. Not raccoon nuts, not even bear nuts, but off the charts nuts. I look out the window and 200lbs of rippling muscle wanders past. Nothing prepares you for that kinda of sight. Fear inducing...

Garter Snake

2011-03-11T08:14:17Z

Garter Snake

Momma plus Junior

2011-03-11T08:04:04Z

Momma plus Junior
Broad daylight this pair (which we've seen around recently) decided to pass through our yard. Nothing wrong with that, but given the fact it was full daylight and in our yard (not around it) I felt I needed to go move them on (for their good as much as ours.) Momma watched me, huffing her displeasure, as Junior (no small bear itself) got out of harms way.

Not a Mole...

2011-06-13T03:31:07Z

Not a Mole...
For the first time I spied some activity from one of the holes in my "lawn", and this little guy popped up. With wonderful help from the folks on the Boulder County Nature Association e-mail list http://www.bcna.org/nature-net/index.html I was able to learn one more piece of Colorado. The guy digging up my "lawn" for the last number of years was not a mole (they aren't up here) but a Pocket Gopher.

Mother with Twins

2011-03-11T06:59:06Z

Mother with Twins
I was sitting alone (other than my pup) in camp eating lunch when I notice this productive mum w/ twins on one side. Soon along camp 3 bull moose the other side. Great lunch companions... :)

Moth

2011-03-11T07:03:38Z

Moth
Attracted to the facilities (ok, the lights.)

Elk

2011-03-11T07:36:55Z

Elk
Pretty sure I've found the elk I was seeking. I *love* achieving wildobs goals! Here they come heading down from the mountains ahead of the proceeding snow storm. They are great "weather folk"; they predict storms and move down to the plains to make foraging easier, and perhaps keep a little warmer in the 'hidden valley' draw. \ This herd (impossible to see in this iPhone photo, I'll upload a real one later) is probably 70 strong. Sitting, waiting for dusk (is my guess -- or waiting for me to go :-) they'll be down on the flatlands tomorrow. Ahhh ... just seeing them charges my batteries.

Steller's Jay

2011-03-11T07:47:13Z

Steller's Jay
With zero degree weather we put out some food for the birds. The Jay were amongst the first to find it. A group of are hanging around now, great fun company.

Moose

2011-03-11T08:16:49Z

Moose
Huge male.

Barn Owl

2012-01-17T04:37:35Z

Barn Owl
I came back tonight looking for this guy. I was immediately rewarded with a fly by as it flew along the hedgerow in the field I was in. Clear, definate, long look. Woot! So pleased. This is huge for me.

Common Hawker

2011-03-11T07:26:19Z

Common Hawker

Elk

2011-03-11T07:33:42Z

Elk

2011-03-11T07:56:57Z

Elk
Wonderful herd on the hill.

Glutton

2011-03-11T07:28:05Z

Glutton
With me in the UK for 5 weeks this summer, and the critter sitter putting bird food on the deck rail feeder (accessible by ground), this guy has had way too easy a summer. He needs to go on a diet!

Cub Alone

2011-03-11T08:04:18Z

Cub Alone
This guy seems little more than a cub, yet s/he is out on his own alone. We've seen him/her around a few days recently, alone each time, so let's hope s/he's a fast learner.

Weasel

2012-04-10T00:04:25Z

Weasel
Hard to see (although burned into a fond memory) but this snake-like head popped over the horizon shortly after dawn, and then proceeded to bounce down the snow w/ vole/prey in mouth. Pure white with a black tail tip, s/he disappeared into the snow. See the wonderful critter top/left.

Moose

2011-03-11T06:59:05Z

Moose
Father, son, grandfather in camp on one side. Mother and two twins near by. A lot of Moose...

Who is this then? Daddy?

2011-03-11T08:04:05Z

Who is this then? Daddy?
Soon after Momma & Junior had moved on the Turkeys (gobbling some concern) alerted us once again to bear. This bear was traveling in the opposite direction.

Legless Eleven

2011-03-11T07:03:31Z

Legless Eleven
The raised path (along the wetlands) in this park gives perfect homes for snake. In a few hundred yards I saw at least eleven. These guys were basking in the sun (whilst still half in rocks under the path) to warm their blood on this 50ish degree morning. It was hard to get a photo (I'll attach one attempt later) since they'd slink back into their holes, but I was hampered by coffee mug, dog leash, ipod, binos, and macbook (in backpack.) Getting the camera out/aimed/focused was tricky. I love the snake here, they really add character to the park.

Turkey Off The Roof

2011-03-11T08:04:25Z

Turkey Off The Roof
Not a great shot, but these guys doing their best flying ... i.e. downhill! :)

Momma plus Junior

2011-03-11T08:04:05Z

Momma plus Junior
Momma left once Junior was safely away.

Cold night ahead...

2011-03-11T07:36:59Z

Cold night ahead...

Night Visitor

2011-05-22T07:31:25Z

Night Visitor
Not good photos, but clear enough who visited last night: