Recent Mule Deer Image

I photographed this mule deer in Rocky Mountain National Park last week. 

Number 2050-37150

The day was pleasant. Nearby, a stream swollen with late season snow-melt hurried to keep its appointment with the Platte River. A small contingency of chickadees held conference in the towering cottonwood looming skyward at the edge of the meadow.

In a few hours, Roman candles and skyrockets of all descriptions would fill the night sky with their colors.

It was the Fourth of July, 1995.

Although anticipation filled the air, all was quiet and peaceful along the secluded stream near Eldorado Springs.

The anticipation was not about what the night held in store, but rather what new species would find its way into the nearby invisible mist net strung between two willows growing along the banks of the stream.

A number of birds had already been caught and released in the Colorado Bird Observatory's tagging program currently underway.

Suddenly, a flurry of wings appeared, as if suspended in mid-air. The mist net began shaking. Quickly, before injury could occur, Tony Leukering rushed to release the net's latest hostage . . . a male Virginia's Warbler.

Carefully, the small captive was removed from its entanglement in the mist net. Measurements were taken and recorded. Weighing then took place. At last, a numbered band bearing the number 2050-37150 was carefully selected and ever-so-gently placed on the small bird's leg.

Little did the tiny subject know he was about to be released. The time for escape had finally come; and escape he did. Immediately heading for the tangled masses of willows, he soon found himself safely within their confines.

After pecking a few times in annoyance at his newly acquired "bracelet," he soon went about his business.

He loved the stream, especially during the mayfly hatch that was currently in progress.

Later in the day, he would join the other Virginia's Warblers nesting among the Gambel's oaks growing on the hillside above the stream.

As with humans - before he knew it - many days had passed. Fall was no longer last year's memory. It was a reality of the present.

The time had come to head south for warmer climates, where food was in good supply.

But where would he go from here? Would he survive the long, arduous journey that lay before him? Would he return the following year? If so, how many years would he repeat the process? These were some of the questions lingering in Tony's mind.

This is where I come into the picture.

The date:  July 23, 1996.

I was just returning from a class outing with a group of young photographers, teaching them the intricacies of nature photography.

Crossing a small footbridge spanning the stream, one of them asked with curiosity, "What's that laying on the boulder?"

There in the midst of the stream, standing like a sentinel, was an immense chunk of rock. Carefully negotiating the stream - not wanting to get my hiking boots wet - I made my way to the boulder.

Gingerly lifting the small lifeless object, I examined it with care. It was a male Virginia's Warbler. On his leg was a small band.

Number 2050-37150 had returned.

The boulder where he lay was within a hundred feet of the very place where he had received his band. A year and 19 days had passed since that eventful occasion.

The band contained an address, requesting its return.

I did as requested.

Within a month I received, through the mail, a Certificate of Appreciation bearing both the seal of the U.S. Department of the Interior, along with that of the Canadian Wildlife Service.

The certificate also contained both banding, and recovery date.

Although a few questions still remain, one thing I know for sure, the little warbler survived a thousand mile migration flight; and, he endured the hardships of yet another winter.

Occasionally, I find myself near his final resting place along the stream. When I'm there and hear the serenade of a Virginia's Warbler, I like to think it comes from one of his offspring.

Maybe there's a message in this story for us too. After all, when our time has come, what better place to find rest than along our favorite stream during the height of a mayfly hatch as did number 2050-37150.

This story was first published in my column, Along The Trail, in the Estes Park (CO) Trail-gazette, March 18, 1996.

The Time Is Now

Finally, what our country has needed for so terribly long . . . LEADERSHIP!

Vice President Al Gore has issued a challenge to the United States:   Shift our entire electricity sector to carbon-free wind, solar and geothermal power within 10 years, and use that power to fuel a nation-wide fleet of electrical vehicles.

"This goal is achievable, affordable and transformative," Gore told a Washington audience of over a thousand cheering supporters yesterday. "It represents a challenge to all Americans in every walk of life . . . to our political leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, engineers and to every citizen."

Petroleum may be in the present, but a carbon-free American society is on the horizon as depicted in the above photograph of a gas plant with newly constructed wind generators rising from the background.

Let's rally support behind Gore and Get 'er Done!

Yellowstone Wolves Need Our Help

According to the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC), 106 wolves have been killed in the past 118 days as a result of the Bush Administration stripping them of their endangered species protection.

That's nearly one wolf killed every day. If Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana have their way, at least 900 wolves could be killed this fall, when a massive public hunt begins.

This will be the last summer for many of Yellowstone's wolves unless immediate action is taken. That is why we must act quickly to compel the Bush Administration to restore the wolf's desperately needed Endangered Species protection.

I am urging you to contact Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, Department of the Interior, demanding that he restore protection for the wolves now.

Department of the Interior

1849 C Street, N.W.

Washington, DC  20240

Phone:  202-208-3100

Email:  webteam@ios.doi.gov

In Search of a Name - Any Ideas?

This Purple-throated Woodstar is one of the world's smallest hummingbirds. Only the Bumblebee hummer, once thought to be found only in Cuba and now sighted in Belize, is smaller. I photographed this little gem last April in Ecuador's Tandayapa Valley.

I need your help. I will soon be uploading this photograph, along with several others, to my eGallery - www.WeldonLee.com  However, before doing so, it needs a name. Click on COMMENTS and leave your suggestions. Thanks!

It's Time To Listen

If ever there was a time in the history of the human race that wildlife needs our help, that time is now.

Experts all agree that global warming and habitat destruction are happening at an alarming rate.

Yet, there are some who speak out on behalf of certain special interest groups, denying the scientific findings in an attempt to create doubt by debunking the experts.

Do we really want to know the truth about these issues?

If so, we must learn to listen to what our wild brothers and sisters are telling us. Doing so is easy. Simply go into the wilderness, find a comfortable spot, then sit quietly and listen.

Listen with you spirit and look with your ears.

When you do this, not only will they inform you about the facts, they will instruct you on what you, as an individual, can do to make a difference.

It is not necessary for me to be a spokesperson for my wild brothers and sisters. They can speak for themselves. My job is to teach others how to listen.

Polar bears are but one specie that may become extinct in less than 50 years unless we act now.