Day Trips from Livingston

 

End of May and into June is a time of new life around Livingston,

Crabapple trees were blooming at Sacajawea Park and throughout the city.

Birds were migrating through such as this Western Kingbird

Swainson's Thrush

New life is everywhere, Red Fox kits play by den 3 blocks from our home.

While the vixen is away the kits will play.

Or fight...

Eastern Kingbirds were at the Audubon Wetland Preserve in Bozeman

Marsh Wrens were staking out territory.

And singing loudly throughout the Cherry Creek Fishing Access in Bozeman

Belted Kingfisher

Western Shootingstar

Cinnamon Teal

What a beauty in the sunlight!

A trip on Bench Road south of Three Forks produced a Horned Lark

Named for the horn-like feathers.

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Ring-necked Pheasant cackling from a hay "skyscaper".

Sage Thrashers usually only heard but this one came out to meet other Thrashers

Dark Morph Swainson's Hawk

Gray Partridge tries to stay hidden.

The reason we came to Bench Road - a Burrowing Owl!

Ruddy Duck on pond at the north end of Bench Road.

Missouri River Headwaters State Park at Three Forks where three rivers come together.

Madison River, Gallatin Riven and Jefferson River form the Missouri River.

High cliffs with many dens provide homes for...

Yellow-bellied Marmots

 

Marmots venture down to dine on the fresh grass.

Female Bullock's Oriole

Another view of the converging rivers

Lark Sparrow

American Goldfinch pair

Up the rugged road to Livingston Peak gave me a cell phone shot of a Black Bear while Ty was walking the trail.

Snow is still covering the higher mountains.

Migrating Western Tanagers stopped at our feeding station for a few days.

They loved the oranges and suet.

Female Western Tanager

Up to seven birds at a time so there were a few squabbles.

Black-headed Grosbeak checked out the menu

Willow Creek Road Pronghorn Antelope buck

Pronghorn mama and newborn baby

Swingley Road had many Lazuli Buntings singing on territory.

Pine Siskins eating dandilion seeds along the road.

Willow Flycatcher along the creek

Mule Deer doe and newborn fawn

Hours old and ready to go!

Western Meadowlarks were everywhere we traveled.

Another beautiful day with wildflowers covering the hills.

❤️ Love & Prayers 🙏🏽

Ty & Ida Baumann

Spring - South, North & East of Livingston, MT

 

Last snow of the season???

The snow brought in two Evening Grosbeaks to our feeders.

Had to share with the Eurasian Collared-Doves and Grackles.

A pleasant surprise to see.

Downy Woodpecker

House Finch

Wood Ducks arrived at Sacajawea Park

Gooslings (bringing back memories of the Sanctuary in Green Bay)

A trip out Willow Creek Road had new arrivals too - Upland Sandpipers

Upland Sandpiper contemplating tresspassing.

Long-billed Curlew feeding

Looking for nesting site.

Sunset over the mountains

Red-tailed Hawk 

Our first Loggerhead Shrike in Montana

Loggerhead Shrike catching insects

American Kestrel

Pronghorn Antelope buck

Early morning surprise on Tom Miner Basin Road

Male Dusky Grouse

Booming and displaying for female nearby.

Savannah Sparrow

Hundreds of Elk grazing along the road.

Cow Elk checks us out.  By noon they had all disappeared into the mountain forest.

Delighted to see a cow Moose among the willows along the streeam

And then there were two...which turned into seven individuals.

A Grizzly Bear sow with her two yearling cubs

Cubs hugging or more likely wrestling?

Mountain Chickdee

Cassin Finch males

A ride into Dailey Lake produced new arrivals, singing Marsh Wrens.

Hen Mallard rising out of the reeds.

Osprey eating large fish from the lake.

Heading east of Livingston on Swingley Road were singing Spotted Towhees.

Red-naped Sapsucker

Mule's Ears were blooming all over the hillsides.

Tall Larkspur

Alpine Astor or Mountain Crown

Numerous Vesper Sparrows on territory.

Always fun to find another Moose

She slowly meandered up the hill.

It always amazes us the variety of God's Creation that He puts in front of us.

❤️ Love & Prayers 🙏🏽

Ty & Ida Baumann