Violet-green Swallows

Violet-green Swallows are birds of western North America.  This colorful swallow is quite common and likes to nest in a variety of habitats including urban neighborhoods.  I have been noticing this bird nesting on rock outcroppings in sage brush areas along with wooded areas in the foothills of the mountains.  Violet-green Swallows are so named for the green and violet colors of their feathers which are not always visible but in the right light jump out at the viewer.  This swallow, often confused with the Tree Swallow, has a distinct white line above the eye and the rump is white when seen in flight.

The nest, made of small twigs, grasses, and lined with feathers, is built in a cavity of a tree or a rock outcropping.  I was witness to a swallow carrying in a white feather twice it’s size and it looked as if it was flying with a banner announcing the laying of it’s first egg.  It was too fast for a photo but was a memorable sight to see.

Violet-green Swallow-female

The Violet-green Swallow has a swift, powerful flight which alternates between flapping wings and gliding.  It is tireless and very adept at foraging for insects in flight. It will perch frequently to sun or preen itself.

Greater Denver Audubon Photo Contest

The second of the three images, “Winter Witness, Great Gray Owl, Sublette County”, which made the top 250 in the Greater Denver Photo Contest “Share the View” is scheduled to be on the front page of their website on Friday, June 28, 2013.

http://denveraudubon.contestvenue.com

Bitterroot

The Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) is very conspicuous when in bloom.  The bright pink blossom shows off on bare, gravelly slopes here in Sublette County, WY.  It is hard to not stop and enjoy each blossom as it is stunning! The plant starts as green, succulent leaves which appear shortly after snow melt and are barely noticed as they hug the ground.  As the leaves die back the edible bulb pushes up a beautiful flower which may look as though it never had leaves.

The flower was named after Meriwether Lewis who first collected the plant in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana.  The Shoshone Indians used the flower as a food staple and collected the root in the spring prior to blossoming thus gaining the full nutrition of the bulb.  Rediviva (the species name) means brought to life which refers to the ability of the root after being dried to rejuvenate.  This beautiful wildflower blooms in June in Western Wyoming and is a sight to behold!