In The Wasatch Mountains - VIII. A Flower, Birds and a Snake

At the beginning my hike wasn't very exciting until I found the wild flower that was hiding in the shade and shining brightly.  

I heard the songs of Lazuli Buntings but the birds were far away. At some point I started to wonder where are other mountains birds, will I end up my hike with only one photo of a wild flower? 

Seeing a Western Scrub-Jay that was resting on a dry branch was a pure joy.  I didn't see this bird since last summer.  In the late autumn the hiking trails are getting muddy, slippery and not accessible. 

Two little surprising adventures were awaiting for me at the end of my hike.  I saw the California Quails, a female and male near the dense sage bush. Something kept them there and my guess is that there was a nest.

I noticed a snake almost right away.  It sprawled peacefully on the trail and wasn't going to leave it.  The trail in this part of the mountains is narrow and I had no choice but to wait when the snake would cross the trail. 

Here is the snake goes down the canyon and soon it will be gone.

Generally, life is good!

In the Wasatch Mountains - VII. Female and Male California Quails

My hike in the Wasatch Mountains was coming to the end when I heard a Quail calls. I carefully scanned the area but didn't see a Quail. Later I noticed a movement on the hill and there were a female and male California Quails that showed up for a short time and disappeared in the dense sage bush.  These birds tend to be secretive and prefer to stay hidden.

The male California Quail was more brave and at some moment he forgot about his secretiveness and showed up in all his glory.

The female and male Quail.  

Their belly feathers look like shingles on a roof and have a very beautiful arrangement.  Each feather creates amazing color patterns that extremely complex.  

The female Quail.

 

Generally, life is good!

Spring in the Wasatch Mountains - X.

A Black-chinned hummingbird is a very small bird that has no brilliant colors, his bill is long and slender. I see these birds often while I am hiking, they like to perch in open places on branches.

Female California Quail.  There were the male and female California Quails in the dense forest. The male disappeared so fast but the the female stayed for a few seconds.

That was such a nice and fragrant moment....

This is my first male House finch. I have never seen him before and was happy to photograph this bird.  A House finch is a small with rosy red around the face and upper breast.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is looking for seeds.  I see often these birds in the mountains, they are my favorites.