Adventures of an ADD Birdwatcher

Early Spring Birding at Bryce Canyon

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It’s always fun to travel about two hours away from here to Bryce Canyon. I wasn’t sure what birds would be seen there this time of year, but nevertheless, a trip to there ensued. Little did I know what cool wildlife would be seen on this adventure!

First Up, Mule Deer

Herd of Mule Deer
Mule Deer are hard to see in this type of environment, but their beige colored rears contrasted against the sagebrush.
Mule Deer
Zoom lenses for cameras help bring the wildlife up close to you without bothering or scaring them.

Mule Deer are the smallest animals in the deer family in Utah. Males have antlers that they shed and grow a new pair each year, while females have none. During the summer they gravitate to lower altitudes and in winter they exist at lower elevations for better food sources. They are a main food source for cougars!

It’s Bryce Time!

Bryce Canyon
Every time I go to Bryce Canyon, I like to look at this tree and see how much it’s grown since the last time I was there.
Geology Sign at Bryce Canyon
What a view!
Bryce Canyon
I was hearing Steller’s Jays at this lookout point and immediately started looking for them.
Steller's Jays
There were two Steller’s Jays in this pine tree at the lookout point, but they were NOT going to give me a good view of them.

Dark-eyed Junco’s

View at Bryce Canyon
The Dark-eyed Junco flew off in the direction of this beautiful spot on the trail.

These amazing little birds have various color combinations. They used to be separate species, but now are sub-species. Each one has its own separate color combos.  There are the Oregon ones, Slate-colored, Pink-sided, White-winged, Gray-headed and Red-backed Juncos. Dark-eyed Juncos are found in suburban neighborhoods near feeders in winter and mixed woods.

Dark-eyed Junco
Out of nowhere in the same tree flew a Dark-eyed Junco. They’re sometimes nicknamed “Snowbirds” because most people see them on the ground at their feeders when it’s snowing.
Rim Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park
Part of the Rim Trail was closed off due to ice and snow.
Common Raven
Common Ravens walked around the area near the sidewalk to the lookout point. They were large and didn’t seem to mind people walking past them.

Meet the Utah Prairie Dog at Bryce Canyon

Utah Prairie Dog
I was standing by a wooden fence looking out over a snowy meadow. Down below me near my feet, I heard a noise and checked it out. It was a Utah Prairie Dog three feet away! Males emerge from their burrows in early March followed by the females in later March. They are very social mammals and live in colonies or towns.
Utah Prairie Dog
Oh my word was this Utah Prairie Dog adorable. I didn’t move an inch other than than taking photos of it.
Utah Prairie Dog
Again, just adorable! It just checked me out and went about its business.

Bryce Canyon Delivered!

Just a quick trip down to Bryce to see what was going on and got to see these amazing birds and mammals. It’s also nice to go to a National Park when there are hardly any visitors. Crowds can spook birds and you have a hard time seeing things like I did today!

Happy Birding,

About Jane Whitten

Artist. Birdwatcher. Wildlife photographer.
Wildflower lover. Tears for Fears fan.

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