Cliff Swallow resting near the Red Rock RiverCliff Swallow resting near the Red Rock River – Nikon D810, DX Mode, f10, 1/640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The Red Rock River starts at the west side of the Lower Lake of Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and flows west through the Centennial Valley of Beaverhead County into the Lima Reservoir then begins a turn northwest until it flows into the Clark Canyon Reservoir. The Red Rock River is about 70 miles long.

On my recent trip up to Idaho and Montana the Lima Reservoir was full and the Red Rock River had backed up and flowed into the fields near Lyons Bridge on Stibel Lane (and Price Lane on Google maps). The area was full of ducks, sparrows, swallows phalaropes, coots, pelicans, blackbirds, willets, swans and gulls though most of the birds stayed away from the bridge.

This Cliff Swallow resting near the Red Rock River was cooperative and gave me the opportunity to photograph it on a strand of barbed wire fencing, in fact it was still perched there when I left the area. The green in the background are the lush grasses near the river with the blue sky above.

The Centennial Valley has more water this year than I have seen in several years which is wonderful for the birds and wildlife that inhabit the valley.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Cliff Swallow photos plus facts and information about this species.