Elk, Mountain Chickadee, Wilson Warbler on the trail for an Early morning Grizzly (20130608)

Here we go again, Jamie is hoping we can find a Grizzly for some shots, but that means early to bed and early to rise. 4:20 a.m. the alarm sound and I meet Jamie on the highway @ 5:10, on our way 5 minutes later. Heading in we found a cow moose with her yearling calf, but none from this year. I was very surprized and glad when this Bull Elk decided to do a little modeling for us! I love the velvet (6:08a.m.).

15 minutes later we spotted this large bear, which I believe is a boar, briefly before he headed into the woods. We positioned ourselves in a little spot I know and he showed up right on time.

Note the wide ears and how the back legs seem much shorter than his back? This is a larger bear, I hope to see him again the fall when he is 100 pounds heavier, he will be a great specimen.
We looked for the 3-toed on the "rabbit road" with no luck, but we find this Barn Swallow at the end of the road. The bright sun made for tough light.

We found this Mountain Chickadee with others in the area of the Woody.

It was a pleasure to see this Darkeyed Junco singing on top of the trees. This is the Oregon colouration of the bird, with the rufous sides.

As the temperature rose from -2C to 12C in the sun the Columbians came out to romp and roll around in the grasses.

We also picked up a first ever bird for us and that is the Wilson Warbler. We received Identification from a couple visiting from B.C. He was a shooter and she was a Birder making for a great conversation for a bit.

We spied the bull moose that Russell and I had encountered last week. He apparently had just been lying down and got up for a drink from the pond. He spooked from the open when a large jet presented a rather significant racket overhead.  I grab this shot of his muddy snout as he passed by.

Ever bur a new car and start noticing them everywhere? Well that was our situation on Saturday, once we had our Wilson Warbler identified we kept spotting them. I believe that this is a good representative sample of what they look like.

We had picked up two longer distance bears through the morning. I will finish this post up with this Raven which appears to have a your nestling in its mouth.

We spent a little more time than anticipated but a very successful day. 3 grizzlies a brand new bird, and mostly great weather. Here is hoping you are having a great Wildlife week!
Turbo