Critters

New eyes on the world

Watching birds at my feeder this spring, I noticed a couple of house sparrow fledglings following their mother around begging to be fed from the seeds and insects she picked up from the ground. Of course, I had to grab my camera, and I snuck outside. The mama bird and babies flew into the trees. Mama kept a close watch on me as I crept up close enough to capture one of her young peering curiously at me.

Mourning cloak butterfly

Mourning cloak butterflies are among the earliest signs of spring in North America, and they were abundant my first spring in Silver City. It is said their dark colors represent those donned by those mourning a loved one, while the lighter colors give a spirit of hope and renewal, very fitting for spring.

Attitude

The big, blue skies of southwest New Mexico make for an excellent background for this house finch, who seemed to be giving me some attitude for following him around.