Box Elder County Burrowing Owl pair – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/320, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I mentioned in my post about Short-eared Owls yesterday that I saw Burrowing Owls, Turkey Vultures and a third year Bald Eagle juvenile in northern Utah so I thought I would share a few more images from my northern Utah excursion.
The first birds I photographed were this pair of Burrowing Owls I located at the opening of their burrow. It was early in the morning, the grass around the burrow still had dew on it and the owls didn’t come up much further than this. It was great finding them though, they blend in so well in their habitat.
Male Short-eared Owl in profile – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 320, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Then after the Burrowing Owls I spent time photographing Short-eared Owls including this one on an old wooden post.
Short-eared Owl lifting off to dive on prey – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 320, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Until he lifted of to dive on prey which he missed. I love how his talons haven’t left the post yet though I do wish he was looking a bit more towards me.
Further down the road I did see my first of the year Osprey on a power pole. It seemed such an odd place to find an Osprey but they are migrating so not seeing them near freshwater probably isn’t all that unusual. The photos I took of it weren’t the best given how far away it was but seeing was a joy.
Turkey Vulture thermoregulation posture – Nikon D810, f6.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
There were plenty of Turkey Vultures around and catching this one sunning itself on a lichen covered boulder was nice. Turkey Vultures warm up by using thermoregulation and this spread wing posture exposes it more fully to the sun.
Yawning Turkey Vulture – Nikon D810, f9, 1/800, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The Turkey Vulture also preened, roused and yawned while I photographed it. They might not be pretty but I sure appreciate vultures for cleaning up the environment.
Third year Bald Eagle juvenile in Box Elder County – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
And then there was this third year Bald Eagle juvenile also perched on a lichen covered boulder while much higher up a marmot’s shrill whistle let every other marmot nearby know that the eagle was there.
It was a wonderful, birdy trip to northern Utah and I hope to head that way again soon!
Life is good.
Mia
What beautiful photos. I love the two burrowing owls with the one barely peeping out of their burrow. And I appreciate this spectacular country, the colours and textures of the vegetation and lichen coloured rocks. So different than the Pacific Northwest where I am located.
Ooooooh.
A series of interesting shots…especially liked the one of the “rock” , which turns out to be a Burrowing Owl” and what we call a “dirty bird”, the young Eagle…that one’s a real beauty!!! I keep gping back to it….the jead’s just beginning to turn “bald”(white)…
Stunning photos, Mia. I look forward to your next trip also.