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Author Archives: Teri J Pieper

Raven Portraits

We just returned from a winter trip to Yellowstone National Park. For some people, that might seem counter intuitive but for me, it’s been a long time coming – a real bucket list trip. Now that I’ve gone once, I can’t wait to visit there in the winter again.

While we saw lots of charismatic megafauna and I had opportunities to photograph many of them, my favorite photos from the trip are these of the Common Ravens in the Tower Junction area. This pair seemed to dominate the parking lot where there was a dumpster, recycling bins and toilets. I have no doubt that they are true scavengers living off what we humans leave behind. I think they also were very used to people and have probably been fed many times. When another pair of ravens flew overhead, these two hopped up and down on a snowbank making threatening calls. I think they were saying “Get out of here, this is our place.” They are beautiful and smart birds.

Lunch Guest

This young female Sharp-shinned Hawk prowled the bird feeders earlier this week. I didn’t see it catch anything but I have noticed that the quail numbers are dwindling. I think there were eight last month. Then there were five. Today I only saw three. Everybody’s got to eat.

Doggie Dash 2019

Methow Trails hosted the annual Doggie Dash race at the Town Trailhead in Winthrop on Sunday. It was great fun with terrific snow and good weather. There were three categories of races – Kids, Little Dogs and Big Dogs – and the ever popular costume contest. The Big Dogs category had the most entrants so there were three heats leading to an exciting final race. The prize for the costume contest is the much-coveted Golden Poodle – a traveling trophy. The winner has now won three times in a row!

Start and finish line
The ever important judges
Some dogs just come to watch
The person and dog must stay attached. The mitten doesn’t count.
We don’t see many poodles like this in the Methow
Excuse me?
Some dogs are into pulling
Some dogs just enjoy the walk
Some dogs are excited at the start line
Some dogs need reassurance
Some dogs are chill
After it’s over, dogs just want to have fun

Snow Days

Lately we have had lots of nice snow days, interspersed with bluebird skies and cold temperatures. Perfect winter weather. Today I took the girls out for their own private photo shoot in a snowstorm on a frozen lake. I think they thought it was not such a good idea and we did not stay out too long. It was pretty. I like the unfocused snowflakes and the unfocused dogs.

Gorging on Crabapples

This winter birders are observing many Varied Thrushes in North Central Washington. These birds are closely related to American Robins – same general size and shape but with some very distinct markings. We counted quite a few on the Christmas Bird Count around Twisp. More than usual although it is an expected species in the winter.

Saturday in Twisp, I noticed lots of them in the crabapple trees in the park. They would fly if I walked but if I stayed in the car I could photograph them for as long as I wanted. The bird with the gray band across its chest is a female and the one with the black band is a male.