Friday Photos: A Friendly Swainson’s Hawk
Last Friday I came upon this Swainson's Hawk; not just once but twice, perched on signs very close to the road.
A Shrike Kind Of Day
There are days when I see a certain species of birds quite often, depending on location it might be an Eagle filled day, or a Shorebird day. Today was a Shrike kind of day on Antelope Island State Park.
Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge – another favorite location
After a recent journey from Simpson Springs in Tooele County to Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge in Juab County I have added it as a Favorite Location. It was an amazing trip with gorgeous views. I hope to return there soon.
It has only been 4 days? Really?
For days it has been raining (sometimes hailing), cloudy and a miserable gray here in the Salt Lake Valley though it seems like two weeks to this bird photographer.
Northern Harrier in Low Light
I don't mind the motion blur in these images and because northern harriers hunt by looking down at the ground for their prey I was very happy to get eye contact in both frames.
Midges and Birds – Food for thought
This is the time of the year that "midges" are as thick as flies on you-know-what at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Antelope Island gnats are back
I hereby put the millions of biting gnats on Antelope Island on notice: No matter how many times you break through my insect repellent shield, I am still going to photograph birds on Antelope Island.
Nesting Northern Harrier
Tt was the first time that I have ever seen a Northern Harrier building a nest. It more than made my day!
Western Kingbirds – My FOY
While I observed them one of the Western Kingbirds was actively hawking insects, swooping towards a bug then perching until it saw the next insect.
Pronghorn buck with misshapen horns
I am just happy to have seen the Pronghorn buck with misshapen horns again and for coming home with better photos of it for my files.
Cackling Goose
Last week I spotted a bird that isn't usually here in Utah this late in migration, a Cackling Goose.
California Gulls – The 1848 Heroes of Utah’s Pioneers
Huge flocks of California Gulls allegedly descended onto the grasshoppers in the valley and made tasty meals of the insects thus preventing the total loss of the crops as the story is told.
Black-tailed Jackrabbit – A Hare nervous?
The Black-tailed Jackrabbit arched its back while still keeping an eye on me and I thought the arched back looked very similar to a domestic cat when it gets riled up or frightened about something.
Antelope Island State Park – Spring’s Awakening
I've spent a few days out on Antelope Island State Park this past week and from all appearances spring is making its debut.
Barn Owl Delight
I had a delightful experience this past week in northern Utah with a Barn Owl (Tyto alba) that was flying along side the road that we were traveling on.
Argh.. don’t turn!! – Male American Kestrel in flight with a vole
Male American Kestrel in flight with a vole chased off by an appraoching vehicle
Shorebirds: Spotted Sandpipers
Spotted Sandpipers are fun to watch as they walk along the shoreline as they teeter, bob and bounce their rear ends up and down.
Birds – Close To Home
I can take advantage of the sucker holes by photographing birds close to home when the sun breaks through the clouds.
Spring VS Old Man Winter
Old Man Winter is still fighting to retain his icy grip on Utah and doesn't seem to want to to surrender the battle with Spring
Spring fever…
Spring seduces me. Refreshes me. It whispers to me softly to come outside and savor nature and wildlife.
My Wish List
Some women wish for diamonds, some men wish for fast cars while young children might wish for a pony or a trip to Disney. Me? I wish for birds. Pretty simple, huh?
Limpkins
Limpkins may not be as beautifully colored as a Roseate Spoonbill or as common as Sandhill Cranes in Florida but to me they are uniquely interesting and appealing birds.
White Ibis
In Florida White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) are a fairly common wading bird in Florida they are also seen along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers
Mergansers are considered "diving ducks" and one of the things the three species of mergansers found in North America all have in common are their serrated bills.
Iowa Bald Eagle nest cam
Yesterday a friend of mine sent me a link to an Eagle nest cam in Decorah, Iowa that I have been having fun watching so I thought I'd share it.
Burrowing Owls – Loved to Death?
What made me sick was that there were three of those people tromping around the owl's burrow. I mean RIGHT up on it. They had no need to be that close but they were.
Coyote on the shore of the Great Salt Lake
This Coyote still has its winter coat but before long it will shed it for the sleeker summer coat.
Antelope Island Loggerhead Shrikes
Last week I wrote that I was looking forward to the birds that arrive here in the spring and yesterday I was able to photograph some of the Loggerhead Shrikes that I mentioned.
Black-billed Magpie building a nest after a snow
I felt that I had a real treat being able to photograph this Black-billed Magpie building a nest after a snow.
Chukar calling in the snow
I was tickled to get this Chukar calling in the snow near the parking area of Frary Peak trailhead with the snow-covered mountain in the background.