When you’re trying to learn about native animals ….
On a bluebird sky day, hiking on a serene trail, I saw this beautiful bird. Trying to identify birds is a challenge for me. Colors, bill size and shape, and geography are all useful in identification.
I returned home with clear photos thinking it was a Gray Jay. But the bill was too long. Fortunately, with an excellent search engine and websites that show similar looking species, I was able to learn about Clark’s Nutcrackers today.
They live in the mountains. ✅
Gray overall with black wings. ✅
Long daggerlike bill. ✅
Published by authorlaurablog
I'm a reading specialist and award winning educator from Chicago. While living in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado for nine years, I spent time hiking on the trails with my Goldendoodle Charlie and friends, writing, working in a literacy program at the Boulder Public Library, and mentoring writers and teachers. I love visiting schools. My books combine STEM and Kindness. "Aliana Reaches for the Moon" a picture book that draws inspiration from the moon and the curiosity of children, inviting children to be creative, explore, and experiment. "An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story" a picture book told in the form of a newscast which skillfully balances the serious subject of forest fires with compassion and humor to help children navigate this important topic through the real events of 2020. I moved to Northern New Jersey in 2025 and am working on new projects.
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Laura Roettiger Books 
I would love to be better at identifying birds too. A lovely post. 🌼
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Thank you! I learning about flowers and plants in general with weekly visits to the Chicago Botanic Garden when I lived near there because things are labeled. Learning about birds is more challenging and I live in the Rocky Mountains now so they’re all different from the birds I knew in the Midwest.
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Really cool … everything about this post. The photos … the research … the passing on of the info … nice!
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Thank you! It’s always fun to learn something new and I’ll always be a teacher.
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