Wild Things

While hiking on Reader Creek last week, we inadvertently frightened this little bird out of his ground nest:
(Bill from Bill Schiess' Wild in Idaho suggested a similar nest we saw recently was that of a junco. Based on markings, altitude, and nesting habits, that identification is a good fit.) Steve had observed the nest location as the adult bird flew away, so we were able to corral two escaped babies (too young to fledge) and herd them back to the well-hidden nest. You can see the two babies huddled within after we'd replaced them:

This hawk (Steve B. at Shooting My Universe identified this as a Northern Harrier. Thanks!) was swooping along the creek looking for lunch:

Steve kept trying to photograph a butterfly on the numerous wildflowers, but the butterflies would not cooperate. We finally corralled this specimen, who seemed to be hugging the ground, just trying to stay out of the wind:

Although we saw lots of elk and moose sign, the only big game we actually laid eyes and camera lens upon was this deer:

For more cute critters, domestic or wild, click here.