Lazuli Buntings, Bullock's Orioes and a more birds back in town in Canon City/Florence area

[SeEttaM .]

I spotted a Lazuli Bunting in my yard yesterday morning, got a pic of him in my neighbor's tree then spotted another along the Canon City Riverwalk where they breed.  Also got pics of a male Bullock's Oriole, who was foraging with a female in a cottonwood tree just outside of Florence.  I have uploaded those photos to my Birds and Nature blog.

I saw a Spotted Sandpiper in the Arkansas River from the Canon City Riverwalk today and heard one from the Florence River Park yesterday.  Also saw a typical appearing Black Phoebe near the Arkansas River from the Florence River Park as well as a Yellow-breasted Chat singing a song I was not familiar with (must have learned some other bird's song elsewhere).  In the Williamsburg area (between Florence and Canon City) I spotted my first of the year Cassin's Kingbird while closer to Florence was a first of the year Western Kingbird.  I had to swerve to miss a large (3 1/2 foot) bull snake in the road between Florence and Williamsburg which gets a fair amount of traffic so turned around and returned to move it off the road to keep it from being run over (photos on blog also). 

Forgot to mention in last post that I heard then saw a singing House Wren on the Canon City Riverwalk, another first of the year bird.  Increasing numbers of singing Yellow Warblers on territory along this Riverwalk as well as male Broad-tailed Hummingbirds zipping around there.  An Osprey that has been working the Arkansas River in the Canon City area was perched across from this Riverwalk.   Had appointments in Colo Springs until late afternoon today so numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers and other birds were down when I got out but suspect they are still coming through in good numbers.

SeEtta Moss

Canon City

http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com