Snowy Plover on the flats at Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When a bird photography trip up to Bear River MBR starts with me spotting not just one but two Snowy Plovers out on the flats I just know the day is off to a great start and that is what happened yesterday morning. The Snowy Plovers were pretty far away but I was over the moon when I found them. I don’t see them as often as I would like and I’ve never seen two individuals together since I moved to Utah. I could have gone home right after seeing them and been as happy as a lark.
American White Pelicans with splashing Asian Carp – Nikon D500, f10, 1/2000, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
But I didn’t go home after seeing the plovers, I went around the auto tour route.
While photographing two American White Pelicans fishing together I noticed a group of invasive Asian Carp behind them and for whatever reason the carp went bonkers for a bit and sent water flying and splashing all over the place behind and in between the pelicans. The water is so shallow that the carp even sent mud flying too.
Most of the American White Pelicans I saw have molted into Supplemental Plumage.
Immature Double-crested Cormorant preening close up – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was surprised when while I was photographing the pelicans an immature Double-crested Cormorant popped up, got out of the water and proceeded to preen its feathers so close to me that all I could do was take portraits of it. The cormorant must have also need to dry its feathers because it flapped its wings a lot while I took images of it. I like the spiky do that the cormorant had.
Black-crowned Night Heron adult hunting in the marsh – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I saw several adult and immature Black-crowned Night Herons yesterday morning, I didn’t get great photos of the first one I spotted because there were cattails and rushes that were in my way but I did get a lovely series of images of this adult as it rested and hunted in the marsh.
Long-tailed Weasel on the shoulder of a road – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Later on I was surprised when I saw a Long-tailed Weasel run across the road on west side of the auto tour route, stop and stand up to look around. I don’t see these weasels as often as I would like so I am always delighted when I do.
Male American Avocet watching over his mate – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light
At the end of the auto tour route I noticed an American Avocet female on what I presume is her nest and her mate was standing close by watching over her. A clear view of the female avocet was obscured because of low growing vegetation but the male was in plain view so I photographed him.
Had it not been for my keen eyes many of the birds and other wildlife I found yesterday would not have been photographed. I spotted more birds than these while I was at the refuge but these are a few of the highlights of the trip up there.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my bird photos and here for mammals.
Great variety and that Cormorant shot is outstanding! Wishing you many more days like this one!
Penguins! Haha. I especially love the Pellican photos
A smorgasbord of delights! Thank you for sharing these!
WHAT a day.
Many, many thanks for sharing the wonder.
Nice collection, I should have gone but screwed up on my alarm.
Nice portfolio! Thanks
Holy smokes, you saw a lot yesterday. Gorgeous photos as always. Love the weasel. Carp splash around like that when they are spawning & I believe they are spawning about now.
Gorgeous!!