Well... boring blue sky and busy birds...

It was a nice Saturday morning when I drove out to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge again, hoping to find something interesting. What I found first was a perfectly clear blue sky and still water on the lakes…

 

Canada Geese were there - no surprise ;)

But there were also lots of American Coots swimming back and forth along the shoreline. They’re quite fun to watch.

Though the lakes there are not in the woods, but there are scattered trees that provide some shade for hikers as well as a bit of cover for the birds too. 

Nice couple of coots were waiting for something before stepping into the water and gliding along the grass looking for something to eat.

I also spotted a few Yellow-headed Blackbirds - another funny species to observe. But don’t expect to get too close. They’re shy and will fly off quickly. Best to enjoy them from a respectful distance.

The water was nearly mirror-like, reflecting the blue sky and the trees on the far shore.

As I was walking around the lake, I noticed a Great Blue Heron standing close to the trail. Hidden in tall grass, it was completely invisible to those sticking to the main path.

Such a graceful bird… isn’t it?

It eventually flew off but didn’t go far, so I walked another hundred feet and got a second chance to watch it.

Soon after this encounter, I finished my loop and got into the car... I was ready to drive around following the Wildlife Drive...

By this time, the weather had started to change. The sky turned dramatic - which I liked even more than the plain blue. A herd of bison was grazing far off in the distance, too far for a close view, but I still stopped to snap a couple of photos.

Then I heard it - an Eastern Meadowlark singing its lungs out! It’s mating season, and the prairie seemed full of them, each one calling and competing for attention.

Birds and prairie dogs were everywhere. I could stop the car almost anywhere, roll down the window, and find something nearby worth watching.

I reached the area where the burrowing owls live. And what did I find first? Another meadowlark, of course ;)

But I didn’t have to wait long before a pair of burrowing owls emerged from their burrow to check out the surroundings.

One of them quickly returned underground, likely tending to eggs, while the other flew off in search of food.

Funny enough, when it returned, it landed right back on the same post where I’d seen the meadowlark earlier. Must be a popular vantage point. ;)

Nearby, prairie dogs were basking in the warm sun… nothing too exciting, just enjoying their day.

I left the owls behind and completed the drive, passing doves and meadowlarks perched on wires and posts along the road. A simple joy to see - and a peaceful way to end the visit.

Photos were taken on May 17, 2025.