Colorful Birds, Crazy Trees, Pastel Flowers and Mrs. Coyote

This past week was a very bountiful week of colorful sites and subjects.

 First thing Friday morning, I get out

of my truck to work and guess who flies up for some morning sun? That's right a pretty swallow.

It was very much 'not shy' and so I took the time to get a few nice shot of it hanging on the clothes line.

 Then came out the ground squirrel as I guess it was getting jealous of the bird?

 At my lunch time, I sat out for my hike and immediately ran into a Western Tanager hanging out in the bush for a split second.

Further on my hike, I came across numerous wildflowers but since I do not have a wildflower guide book I will have to leave it to you my faithful readers to write in and tell me what they are.
Thanks!

There are some really cool trees here in the Yellowstone Park. Many have been reshaped by the heavy snow and wind. Here are some of the more interesting ones I captured this week.

I was just enjoying the views of the the hillside

 And the rocky forest when low and behold I had a visitor

It was Mrs. Coyote staring down at me from a rock. I say Mrs. Coyote because she went very nonchalantl to the other side of the mountain...

And was staring back at me for sometime. I thought this strange as the coyotes usually take off out of
sight when they spot you.

As I headed back up the hill away from the staring coyote, I came across a litter of cubs that were scattering in every direction. I guess the adult coyote was just trying to lead me away from her babies.

Sorry folks I did not capture any photos of the cubs as it was very thick brush and boulders and they took off so fast I had very little time to do any picture taking. Also, I did not want to harass the litter or get attacked by the parents. However, I will be back in here to see if I can find a way to get a few shots for you folks without disturbing the cubs or their parents. 

One other note: There is this family of Kestrel birds of prey that reside in this valley I hike into several times a week. Until yesterday, I was unable to sneak up on them and get any close shots for my 300mm lens. Needles to say, I need more range with my lenses. However, I was able for the first time to come underneath where they soar and get a couple mediocre shots with more better ones on the way. I hope. 

Unfortunately, I have to pass through the coyote den to get to this spot for the Kestrels. Hopefully, I can figure out how to do both. And in a few weeks, I might have some very colorful and interesting photos for you readers.

 This is the tree where the Kestrels hang out in. This distance is about six hundred yards from where I can even start to get close to them.