Sawhill Ponds, Boulder, CO

I have been visiting family in Boulder, CO, for a few days. At the western edge of the Great Plains, the bird life isn’t that much different from the Willamette Valley in Oregon, with a few nice exceptions.

Double-crested Cormorant

an artsy image of the same Double-crested Cormorant

I am always happy to see Common Grackles, since they seldom make it to Oregon.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

This pond hosted several Killdeer (above), Spotted Sandpipers, American Avocets, and a Wilson’s Phalarope.

American White Pelicans, with Canada Goose and Ring-billed Gulls

Black-billed Magpies are fairly common here, but they tend to be rather shy, never allowing a close approach.

I saw lots of Eastern Kingbirds at these ponds. I haven’t seen any Western Kingbirds around Boulder, which surprised me.

American Bullfrogs were the only amphibians I found. The only reptile was a Black-necked Garter Snake, a lifer for me.

Cottontails were very abundant at sunrise. I believe this is a Desert Cottontail, but please correct me if I am wrong.

a sleepy Coyote

In the “adorable rodents” department, I bring you Black-tailed Prairie Dogs.

Another view of the Front Range of the Rockies.