You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me?  Robert De Niro, Taxi Driver When I take pictures of Boulder Birds my goal is to capture feeling. I want emotion in the pictures. I want to pull the viewer into the picture, to engage the viewer with the picture. Most often I do this by catching the bird staring back at me. This is the opposite of what so many choose as a picture. It is far more typical of animal pictures including bird shots for the photographer to do the opposite. I want the pictures and the birds to literally speak to me. That’s easier said than done, since the... Read More

From Boulder, this is Lensworth At Large spreading misinformation about the four corners and seven edges of the earth. Today I’d like to chat about our abundance of cotton tail rabbits and the real risk that they present to the human population of Boulder. Even my Mother was afraid of rabbits. On the other hand she was afraid of most things! I know the names of every disease, bug, parasite, and rash carried by every local animal due to her repeated lectures and warnings. Although commonly mistaken for cows, this confusion is unnecessary. Bunnies do not have udders with teats, and cows don’t... Read More

Boulder is a very short distance up the road from the Denver Zoo. Whether you want to watch animal behavior or just see the strangest of animals, this is the place is this is the week. Happily it is just one of the marvelous weeks we in Boulder call “normal.” Can’t I Get Some Privacy In My Bath???   Lorikeets Are Not Uncommon in Zoos, And Are Always COOL Looking! This Bird Has Just Bathed. Or Taken A Hot Tub Soak.   I Am SO Cute After A Bath! Lorikeets, vibrant members of the parrot family, are known for their striking, colorful plumage and playful personalities.... Read More

Feline Elegance on the Catwalk Strutting down the runway of life with unparalleled grace and a wardrobe that would make any fashionista purr with envy, Petunia Adams is not just any feline—she’s Boulder’s next top model and our adored “Cat of the Week.” From Foster Care to Forever Home Petunia’s rise to fame began in the cozy confines of Payton Adams’ heart and home. Payton, a former cat foster parent, has a history of caring for cats with compelling backstories, from Mauna Kea with her musical namesake to Don Juan, the sneezing romantic. Yet, it was Petunia who stole the show and... Read More

  I think Boulder‘s beakless Flicker has returned! This survival wonder is an inspiration to all of us. The Orange-shafted Flicker, often considered a variant or a result of hybridization between the  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Flicker/overview (Colaptes auratus cafer) and the Yellow-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus auratus), showcases the fascinating diversity within the woodpecker family. These birds, part of the larger group known as Northern Flickers, exhibit characteristics that are somewhat intermediate between their two parent subspecies, displaying the rich... Read More

pic Lenny Lensworth Frieling The Kingfisher speaks to Boulder and for itself. This seriously cute bird is a birdwatcher’s favorite. It’s easy to see why! Seeing a Kingfisher perched on a branch is truly Motivational, for Monday and for any other day. The Kingfisher, a captivating symbol of vibrancy and agility, belongs to the family Alcedinidae and is renowned for its dazzling plumage and expert fishing abilities. These birds are most commonly found near rivers, lakes, and coastal regions, making habitats rich in water their preferred domain. The Kingfisher’s distinctive features... Read More

Boulder, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. As  much as we are watching the animals in the Denver Zoo, they are watching us.Closely!  This big boy is enjoying the sun, and is of course wearing adequate sunscreen! Boulderites are quite lucky to live right up the road from one of the finest zoos in the country. While not the biggest, it has the biggest heart! For this large male, notice the long hair of the lion’s mane. Now remember the lion at the beginning of every movie from MGM? Ever notice that it is now a short maned lion?? The MGM Lion(s) and the changing mane. Ever... Read More

ss  Here’s a Boulder Saturday morning sunrise conundrum: What do Lions and Big Horn Sheep have in common besides they are both not ducks? Lions and bighorn sheep, despite belonging to very different families within the animal kingdom, share several common characteristics, primarily because they are both mammals. Here are a few points highlighting their similarities: 1. **Mammalian Traits**: Both lions and bighorn sheep are mammals, meaning they share common mammalian features such as fur or hair, the ability to regulate body temperature (endothermy), and the presence of mammary glands for... Read More

I am still trying to decide if I saw a hybrid coyote or a LARGE coyote. Here’s what I found I know this whole concept was new to me. canine, cannid, and candea are all used for the dog-animals. I like canid. Hybridization among canids, including dogs, wolves, coyotes, and foxes, has been a topic of intense debate and controversy in the scientific community and beyond. The genetic intermingling between these species raises questions about conservation, behavior, and the very definition of what constitutes a distinct species. Understanding the genetic makeup of these hybrids is crucial for... Read More

  Spindly-legged, Reddish-Brown Classic Coyote That’s not what our Boulder visitors looked like. Not at all. Our Backyard Beast!. Coyote-Wolf-Dog Hybrids Are Out There!     pic Lenny Lensworth Frieling Taller than a backyard table, and 50 pounds of what? BIG Coyote? I saw this unusual canid in the backyard, where a fox carcass was decomposing. The carcass was down to bones and a little hair. That’s until it vanished.   Fox In Stu in the Backyard                                pic Lenny Lensworth Frieling Did our mystery monster make the decomposed... Read More