Northern Archives - Bliss Photographics

Rodent on a Rock

This Northern (not the Wyoming Pocket) ) Pocket Gopher was on the Montana / Wyoming border. The Northern is considered a Sub-species of the Wyoming Gopher though… Underground mostly, this one was active as I randomly wandered by his ground in the backcountry. I spied the movement. Any hawk worth it’s name would enjoy this though I suspect he blends in pretty well on that sane of the same exact color lolol. I suspect the rock was warm too from the sun that bright early morning. It may well have been warming itself.

His burrow was next to this chunk of Hell Creek Sandstone. I saw him several times getting up on this rock to take a look around. I’m thinking it was pretty bright for him. It took a bit to get into position for this one. He didn’t like me at first but after about 15 minutes he was back at it again. This was not an easy one to compose lolol. He was king of the hill as far as he was concerned. Understanding your position in the world is an important perspective to gain lololol. 😜📸

Of course this is posted a bit out of season. I’m pretty sure this guy is sleeping here in mid-winter as I post this. He’s in a burrow under the backcountry snow at the moment. Filled his burrow with seeds and other stores. You have to admire an advance planner that stores food for the lean future. IT’s a good survival strategy.

Location: Bliss Dinosaur Ranch, Wyoming/Montana borderlands (Wyotana)

Title: Rodent on a Rock

Northern Flicker Enjoying the Weather

Springtime rainy weather would be amazing at the moment. Leaves are sprouting with bugs about. This grey/brown spotted woodpecker is a rare fixture up here. This is the Red Shafted Flicker Version. This variety lives here in the west. A different version lives to the east and north I understand. Omnivorous by nature, they are notorious ant eaters. He was digging into old wood. Sticking it’s beak into old wet rotten logs was it’s goal. It was looking for grubs, and found them. Fruits, nuts, betties, even seeds in the winter omnivores they are.

I have never found a nest before and am always on the lookout. I know most of the “wildlife” trees and keep my eye on the comings and goings of things. I’ve never seen one of these dive into a hole in a tree before…. I’m counting the day however..📷

I find them difficult to approach with long telephoto shots being the rule not the exception. I’ve actually captured a few with game trail cameras in the past. Some of those images are wall worthy when ever I get around to finishing them to current standards. I see them often but have found that when they see me, they don’t stick around too much. We really don’t see them much out in the backcountry but I do see them around the homestead in the side gardens. I consider them to hanging around the variety of vegetation around my homestead. The ecosystem here in the ranch main compound is vastly more diverse than is the regular backcountry grassland. There are also more cats…..

Location: Bliss Dinosaur Ranch, Wyoming/Montana borderlands

Title: Northern Flicker Enjoying the Weather