February 2021 – Weather Calendar
I will not be sad to see February 2021 in the rear view mirror. It has been the second worst month for bird photography on record for me. Ever.
February 2021 has been cloudy in the Salt Lake City area of Utah. Lots and lots of light sucking, joy destroying clouds.
Given our severe drought conditions I wouldn’t have minded those clouds if they had brought us enough moisture in the form of snow. Except for the record-breaking 11.7 inches of snow that fell on February 17th the clouds we have had have only given us a trace of the moisture we truly need. The temps we had in February were mostly higher than our average too.
During February 2021 I have only been out into the field eight times. That ties with March of 2020 which is when the travel restrictions of the pandemic and earthquakes hit all at the same time.
May of 2020 was even worse with only 7 days out in the field but the year 2020 was hell on supersonic wheels of epic proportions for SO many reasons.
I’m not normally a complainer. Typically I leave that to people who are more expert at it than I am. But yeah, I’m complaining today. February 2021 has been awful for me for bird photography.
Adult Black-billed Magpie next to a puddle – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
On this last day of February I am excited about what March normally brings. Mating birds. Nesting birds. Migratory birds. Birds on the wing. Birds that I haven’t seen since the fall.
And hopefully I’ll see a few clear days each week of the month. March can still be snowy here in northern Utah and it is a good bet that I will hear my first thunderstorm of the year sometime in the next 31 days.
I can deal with that as long as I have some days with good light and plenty of birds.
Spring will arrive.
Okay. My complaints are now completed.
Life is good even when it seems like it isn’t.
Mia
The Black-billed Magpie in the image above was photographed in March of 2019. I included this photo because it shows that the grass does start to green up next month.
Click here to see more of my Black-billed Magpie photos plus facts and information about this species.
Sorry you had bad weather in February, it is a bad month! Just so you know the East has been hit hard as well. We only had 4 nice days in February all the rest were Overcast, cold, snowy, or I just plain didn’t want to be out in it!
Better luck in March….🤞🍀😊👩🏾🦳
I am hoping that the year 2020 was not merely “clear vision” for the years to follow!
Mia, It seems like it was a bad time for Wyoming too. We got our below zero for over a week. Only thing was I had my bird feeder and pine trees to help the little chickadees make it thru. Only thing is the high winds that blow all the time. On a sad note had to put my dog Karla to sleep. She was 13 years old. She loved to watch the little birds and the doves that came, and always chasing the squirrels. Not sure if I will get another dog at this point in my life. I too look for seeing the spring flowers and more actively with the birds. Wyo will still see some spring storms I am sure. Lost many trees and branches with a early snow in Sept. Look forward to seeing what ever you find to take pictures and post.
I am sorry that February was largely a birding bust for you and hope that March is much, much better.
Being relatively new to bird photography, since the Covid put the kabosh on my real passion…concert photography, February was a banner month for me. I live in the Los Angeles area, so frigid winters are, luckily, not one of my biggest concerns. Have a look at the birds I’ve photographed just in January and February at:
https://www.instagram.com/partial2pixels
On the flip side, it has been disgustingly sunny, warm and DRY here. Our nights have cooled down a bit, but daytime temps have been ridiculous. Hopefully, our March will meet in the middle — more sun for you guys, cooler temps here, and precipitation for both of us!
Such a beautiful photo of the magpie, and thanks for the reminder of green to come! I hope that your articulate goodbye to February launches you into better days ahead. I like that you always end with “Life is good” — a good reminder for all of us to ponder what is in the context of what could be.