Wet Chukar on a Lichen Covered Boulder – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/320, ISO 400, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The light was gorgeous yesterday morning on Antelope Island and after days of gloomy weather, hail storms, rain plus wind storms it was time to get out and see if I still remembered how to use my camera and it seemed it was also time to feed the no-see-ums. The no-see-ums (biting gnats) gladly obliged and bit up my head.
The causeway to the island still had large puddles of water on it so I figured it must have rained in the area overnight. There was also more water in the Great Salt Lake than there had been the last time I went out there which is good but we still need more.
The first bird I photographed yesterday morning was a wet Chukar on top of a lichen covered boulder about the time the sun rose above the clouds and mountains to the east. I got to see the warm glow light up the birds and cause jewel covered sparkles to light up on the dew-laden grasses. When a day starts that way how could I not feel happy?
I’m pretty sure the Chukar’s back was wet from scurrying through the cheatgrass but it could have been because of the overnight rain too.
The forecast for the next few days is good and I will likely spend quite a bit of time in the field plus my good friend and fellow photographer Steve Creek surprised me by text last night and told me he is in Utah and camping on the island. So guess who I am going to see today?
Life is good.
Mia
What a glorious start to the day.
Wow – so beautiful! The bird, the light, the photo – thank you!
This is a beautiful Spring image….of a beautiful bird on a beautiful rock…I like how the black and white colors in the rock echo those in the bird….glad your ” out of the house” and into the field again…..
I only see these birds through your photos. Probably my favourite (or one of). Beautiful shot.
Beautiful photo Mia Such a gorgeous bird.
AAAAAAAH, Beautiful Mia… You are sooo lucky to come upon a subject like this, in such beautiful, warm light.
This is your lucky day… You should run right out, and buy a lottery ticket. You just may be able to retire on
the winnings… ha. Thanks for brightening my morning. ;-)))