Sandhill cranes in a snowstorm, March 18. Monte Vista NWR. And a harrier hunting.

 Dropping in.

Female Northern harrier hunting.

March 18, Monte Vista NWR, CO.

 Descent, 3/18.

 With Crestone Peaks beyond.

 Cranes in a snowstorm.

Female Kestrel in blowing snow.

Morning visitors, Crestone, March 18.

Of course, I was the real visitor.

Sunset on Blanca & Crestone Peaks, March 17.

 Mt. Blanca, 3/17.

 Crestone Mtns., sunset, 3/17.

Sunrise at Crestone, 3/18.

The Culebra Range, Colorado, March 17th.

 View of the Culebras from Chama, CO., 3/17.

 A perfect cone, Culebra Range.

Dipper nesting update, March 15.

 After the disappearance of the first completed nest on the right, the 2nd nest looks completed on the left, 3/15.

Since my last visit on 3/11, when it was less than half built, this nest looks complete with its arched roof and side entry. One adult stood on a rock nearby and another flew out of the nest and began foraging close by.

Recent sightings, March 2018.

 All ears! Muley does and yearlings, 3/13.

Prairie Falcon, 3/13.

Very little snow pack in the Taos high country, March 11.

 The peaks surrounding the William's Lake basin have very little snow, 3/11.

The low flow in this tributary of the Rio Hondo is worrying.

A visit to winter, March 11. Under Kachina Peak.

 Its been close to year since I found marten tracks, so it was a good day.

 Here you can see the size difference of the tiny ermine tracks at the bottom, with the marten, though the 2x2 pattern is the same.

There is only about 15 inches of snow instead of the more usual 30 to 50 inches in this area.

Dipper nest, update, March 10. Disaster & undaunted courage.

 When I returned to check on the dipper nest progress I was shocked to find that the original nest that was almost finished being refurbished last time, was gone! On right above, 3/10.

 But both birds were there and working on both nests. The first layer of moss was being laid where the original nest was, above.

While the new nest was being added to. What happened to the first nest is a mystery, but the pair was undaunted!

Now a second nest being built, March 7.

 Dipper with grass by first nest, 3/7.

 Dipper with moss at second nest 6' from the first.

There was no evidence of this new nest on March 4th.

March Goldeneyes

 Drake Common Goldeneye, Mar. 4.

Female Goldeneye, Mar. 4.