Lakes

600th post – An Antelope Island Snow Day

By Mia McPherson, on December 30th, 2012%

Bison grazing in the snow

I wanted to share a few images taken two days ago when Antelope Island was covered with a fresh snow fall. The entire island looked glorious and the sunlight caused the snow to sparkle much to my delight. The American Bison were pushing their noses into the snow to clear the way to find grass to graze on.

Plump Chukar in the snow

A covey of Chukars were looking for food in under the heavy blanket of snow. Their beautiful colors, red legs and plumage patterns stand out sharply from the pristine snow.

Antelope Island snow

This image was taken just south of the road to the Frary Peak trail head, it can be hard to believe that the Great Salt Lake comes up to where the rusty colored Phragmites are at times, especially during spring melt.

Farmington complex rocks under fresh snow

I’ve had a great deal of fun photographing raptors this year in this area where Farmington complex rocks jut out from the hills. These are the oldest rock formations on the island and are also older than the rocks found at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Ole Scarface hunting in snow

This Coyote has many scars on its face most likely from territorial disputes during mating season. The Coyote looks old and one of its ears is very floppy. It also still has snow on its back which probably fell on it during the night.

Promontory Mountains from Antelope Island

I love that while I am on the island I can turn in all directions and see mountains, it delights me to see them covered in snow and shining brightly in the sun. On a relatively clear day the Great Salt Lake is a delicious dark blue.

Western Meadowlark on snow-covered Sagebrush

This Western Meadowlark perched on a snow-topped Sagebrush was very cooperative and posed for a long time before it flew away. It wasn’t singing but the bird reminded me that before too long they will have a period of time when it seems they simply can not resist singing their little hearts out during breeding season.

View of snow-covered Promontory Point from Egg Island Overlook

Egg Island Overlook is the northern most point on the island and has expansive views of the Great Salt Lake, the Promontory Mountains and the wide open sky.

Juvenile White-crowned Sparrows

Near the marina these juvenile White-crowned Sparrows perched on a snow laden bush with the Great Salt Lake in the background.

I’ve often said that “Some Days are Magic” here on my blog and this day sure felt that way to me. But then, every day in nature fills me with wonder and joy.

Mia

Bear River National Wildlife Refuge – Christmas Day 2012

By Mia McPherson, on December 26th, 2012%

North section of the Bear River NWR auto tour route – Nikon D200, handheld, f7.1, 1/1500, ISO 400, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 18 mm, natural light

Christmas Day of 2012 turned out to be as beautiful as I hoped at Bear River National Wildlife Refuge (also known as Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge) because of bright skies, snow on the ground and virtually having the place to ourselves. The Promontory Mountains to the west were gorgeous covered in a blanket of fresh snow. Bear River had some open water but there was also ice along the shore and some of the smaller ponds were frozen over. The lowest temp I saw was 6 degrees Fahrenheit but it didn’t feel that cold because of the warmth of the sun.

Bald Eagle Landing on the Bear River – Nikon D300, f5.6, 1/3200, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

Just before the maintenance buildings at the start of the auto tour route I spotted this Bald Eagle standing on the frozen surface of the Bear River, it looked beautiful in the soft morning light. The eagle was looking at the ice covering the river when it lifted off and flew a few feet towards something that I couldn’t see. This photo was taken as the eagle started to land on the ice once again. Two American White Pelicans lifted off from the river right after the bridge by the maintenance building, they have hung around rather late in the season. Maybe they just didn’t want to be called “snow birds” by the people down south.

Before seeing the Bald Eagle I spotted a Barn Owl flying but the owl would not let us get close enough for images. During the morning at Bear River NWR and north in the Golden Spike Area we saw Bald and Golden Eagles, Rough-legged Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, a Prairie Falcon and quite a few American Kestrels. In addition I spotted two Short-eared Owls flying over a marshy area. Most of these great raptor were just too far away for photos.

Marshes and the distant Promontory Mountains – Nikon D200, handheld, f14, 1/640, ISO 400, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 75mm, natural light

The air was crisp, and the only sounds I could hear when the truck wasn’t moving were the sounds of nature. Rustling Phragmites and Cattails, small birds flitting around and some times further away, the cries of gulls. It was peaceful, relaxing and invigorating all at the same time. What a wonderful Christmas gift.

Young Great Blue Heron on Christmas Day – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

On the north section of the very muddy auto route we saw a scattering of around 100 Great Blue Herons, I have never seen so many in an area that size at the refuge. It was pretty amazing to see. right after we headed south I spotted this immature Great Blue Heron standing in a section of open water surrounded by ice, it wasn’t long before the bird flew onto a pile of snow topped vegetation which is where it was when I captured this image.

You might wonder how I know that this is a young bird, the crown is dark and there isn’t any white on top of the head or behind the eye as would be seen on an adult. The rusty colored shoulder patches that adults have aren’t evident and the mottled stripes on the chest of this bird wouldn’t be seen on an adult.

Looking towards Promontory Point – Nikon D200, handheld, f14, 1/320, ISO 400, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 22mm, natural light

After leaving the auto tour route was finally saw another car parked on the shoulder of the hard-topped road and that is where I spotted the first Short-eared owl flying over the marshy area. The driver of the car was out taking photographs so we pulled in a distance behind him to see if the owl would fly in close. The young man came up and introduced himself after a bit. David is from Washington State and it was his first visit to Bear River NWR so we told him what we had seen on the auto tour route and I hope he saw some of the birds we mentioned. It was very nice to have met him.

Bear River NWR and the Golden Spike area are always wonderful but yesterday both seemed even more fantastic.

Mia

Exhausted but Elated

By Mia McPherson, on July 23rd, 2012%

Red Rock Lakes NWR sunrise with pink clouds – Nikon D200, handheld, f5.6, 1/40, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 18mm, natural light

I arrived home last night after spending five days photographing in southwestern Montana and although I am exhausted I am also elated because the trip was simply divine.

With the exception of some intermittent clouds and infrequent light rain in the mornings and afternoons, the light was wonderful and the weather hot during the middle of the day. The winds came up around noon each day but I’m not usually out photographing in the harsher light of mid day.

There must have been a recent hatch of Deer and Horse Flies because they swarmed around me in the hundreds and although they made photography a touch miserable I wasn’t about to let them chase me away from the great opportunities that were presented to me. Besides, their bites aren’t nearly as troublesome as the biting flies found on Antelope Island State Park in the spring.

I took 5,428 photos while I was there so the process of culling and editing them is going to take some time, but after scanning through some of the images I am quite pleased with the results of my efforts.

Because of my photography I’ve been able to meet the most fascinating people, have seen gorgeous scenery, listened to the sounds of nature and have seen the most amazing birds and wildlife. Life is good, very good!

I will be writing more about this amazingly wonderful journey to southwestern Montana but I wanted to post this sunrise image from the campground at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge today as a prelude of photographs to come.

Mia
OnTheWingPhotography

Stormy Sky over Antelope Island State Park

By Mia McPherson, on July 12th, 2012%

I went out to Antelope Island State Park yesterday hoping to put my newly repaired D300 through its paces and although I did get some images of birds and mammals, the light wasn’t very good for most of the morning because of storm clouds.

Antelope Island under stormy skies – Nikon D200, handheld, f18, 1/20, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 18mm, natural light

On the way to the island the clouds, beautiful light, silky smooth water and the reflections caught my eye and I knew I had to take a photo of the view I saw before me. I also like the American Avocets in the shallow water of the Great Salt Lake.

The clouds may have interfered with my bird photography but they sure made this image more interesting.

Mia
OnTheWingPhotography

The Morning Mist at Red Rock Lakes NWR

By Mia McPherson, on June 16th, 2012%

I don’t have much time to post today but I wanted to share a few photos taken this week of the mists at the Lower Lake of Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Montana. Red Rock Lakes NWR is an incredibly wild and beautiful location that has stolen a piece of my heart. I really don’t mind that it has.