Look Up

While in Grand Teton National Park it is quite natural to look up. To look up at the bluest of skies, to look up at the Aspen trees glistening in the sun, and of course to look up at one of the most spectacular of all mountain ranges.

As an avid birder, I would like to encourage you to look up for another reason. This area is a great place to find some fun and exciting birds. If you are walking a trail, keep your eye out for the Steller’s Jay, Canada Jay, and the masked Cedar Waxwing.

Sparrows abound in the park. It’s always fun to determine if you have found a Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, or pictured below, a Lincoln’s Sparrow. (Maybe you will find all three!!)

The splendor of the Mountain Bluebird is always a treat.

If you are lucky to visit the park in the spring, you may also be lucky enough to spot the colorful Western Tanager. The vibrant yellow and red makes it one of the easier birds to spot.

No matter the season, keep your eye out for the birds that call The Grand Teton area home or the ones that may just be passing through. The smallest bird that I’ve seen is the Calliope Hummingbird and the largest I’ve seen is the Trumpeter Swan. And there are so many in between. This fall, I had the pleasure of witnessing the adult and colt Sandhill Crane flying by.

Whenever I am near water I keep my eye on the sky for the reliable sightings of the Bald Eagle and the Osprey. I have spotted them together on multiple occasions. (Normally going to battle over a fish).

I have only mentioned a handful of the sightings. For a more complete list of the birds found in this area, eBird is a great resource. I always like to check it to see which birds have been spotted in the last 3 days. It is also a great resource for finding the local hotspots.

Hawks, swallows, warblers, oh my!!! They are here. And they can be found if you just look up!