Adult Chukar standing on top of snow, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahAdult Chukar standing on top of snow – Nikon D300, f8, 1/1600, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 200mm, natural light

I came across this photo of an adult Chukar standing in top of fresh snow the other day and felt a pang of sadness. It has been a long time since I have had a Chukar in my viewfinder and even longer still since I have seen one standing on top of fresh snow.

I took this Chukar photo on a bright but bitter cold January morning in 2013. The air was clear and the sounds of a small flock of Chukars echoed over one of the campgrounds on Antelope Island State Park. I was inside of a vehicle using it as a mobile blind. The Chukars were busy foraging for food after a snow storm the day before.

I used to see Chukars on the island practically every time I went out there. I enjoyed showing visitors like my mother and out of state friends these roly poly upland game birds or telling them where they might find the chukars if I couldn’t join my friends on the island while they were there. Pointing out a lifer Chukar for people was a wonderful feeling and most of them thanked me so profusely that I was almost embarrassed by their gratitude.

I can still vividly recall the first time I photographed one on the island myself. They seemed so at home on the island yet exotic at the same time. They are exotic. This species was introduced to North America and some of these partridges have established healthy populations in the western U.S..

I know that the Chukars are still out there on the island. I just don’t see them as often anymore and that is what made me feel sad. I love hearing, seeing, and photographing these handsome birds.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Chukar photos plus facts and information about this species.