First of the Year Sage Thrasher on Antelope Island!
I was absolutely delighted to spot a pair of Sage Thrashers on Antelope Island yesterday because I have been anxiously awaiting their arrival since they left last fall.
Bison, Starlings, Magpies, Coyotes and a Mule Deer carcass
Yesterday was another interesting day on Antelope Island seeing snow-covered Bison, snowy weather, birds and spotting Coyotes at a Mule Deer carcass.
Bison And Birds On The Wing
The light and clouds looked iffy this morning but Antelope Island didn't disappoint when it came to bison and birds plus some dramatic light.
Birds on Wires – European Starling
I know a lot of people don't like European Starlings because they are in introduced species that cause lots of problems for native birds.
Six-pack of Birds
It was delightful to have light and a six-pack (plus) of birds out on Antelope Island yesterday to test my new Nikon D7100.
Bahama Mockingbirds
A few days ago I posted about the Northern Mockingbird flight display and today I'd like to share two images of Bahama Mockingbirds photographed in the Bahamas in 2009.
Northern Mockingbird Flight Display
I have seen and heard more Northern Mockingbirds this year on Antelope Island State Park than any previous year since I moved to Utah.
Monday Mornings Medley of Birds on Antelope Island
Western Kingbird After several days of not being able to photograph birds because of bad weather I was pleasantly surprised to have a medley of birds to photograph on Antelope Island Monday.
A Northern Mockingbird’s Repertoire
When I lived in Florida I saw Northern Mockingbirds all the time but they are not so common here in Utah and typically I only see a pair or two during the whole breeding season.
Two simple Sage Thrasher Photos
While on Antelope Island yesterday I was able to photograph these two Sage Thrashers in two different locations with one perched on Sagebrush and the other on Rabbitbrush.
Sage Thrashers and Sagebrush
Sage Thrashers are considered sagebrush obligates meaning that they require sagebrush for some part of their life cycle and for the Sage Thrashers in Utah that means they need it during the breeding cycle.
Sage Thrashers – Mockingbirds of the Sagebrush
I spent some time yesterday on Antelope Island State Park photographing and listening to a very cooperative and melodious Sage Thrasher.
Female American Kestrel and an American Pipit’s demise
I normally see American Kestrels with voles as prey but seeing her with the American Pipit once again showed me why American Kestrels used to be called Sparrow Hawks which is why some people probably still use that name.
An American Bison and the Great Salt Lake
I love to get images of the American Bison and the Great Salt Lake in the same frame especially if there are mountains in the background so I was happy to get the snow covered Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake in this image
Eagle in de skies
Oh, I meant Eagle in disguise, a European Starling. Couldn't resist.
Sage Thrashers Aplenty
There are Sage Thrashers aplenty on Antelope Island State Park right now and they have been thrashing, dashing and singing their little hearts out the last three trips I have made out to the island.
European Starling eating Brine flies on the shoreline of the Great Salt Lake
Last week I was photographing shorebirds and a Chukar eating Brine flies on the shore of the Great Salt Lake when this European Starling flew in and started to eat them too.
Birds of Antelope Island – A Mix of Feathered Friends
Yesterday I photographed a mixture of the birds of Antelope Island State Park and had great fun while doing it.
One Fearless Sage Thrasher
This past week I have seen a few Sage Thrashers on Antelope Island State Park and although none of them were close enough to photograph I know it won't be long before I will be able to create new images of them.
Birds and Bison
Certain species of birds ride on the backs of Bison and feed on the insects they find in the Bison's fur; European Starlings are among those birds.
Ride, ride, ride…Hitching a ride
Since moving to Utah in the summer of 2009 I have wanted to get some images of an American Bison standing with the Great Salt Lake in the background.
Wild and Wonderful – Antelope Island State Park – The Birds
This is the third post in my series about Wild and Wonderful Antelope Island State Park, I've saved the best (and longest) for last. The Birds! Okay, maybe they aren't the best thing about Antelope Island State Park, but I am a bird photographer and they are what I am most passionate about!
Turd Birds; errr… I mean Sage Thrashers
I can't acquire focus on the Lunatic Sage Thrashers because they don't ever stay still long enough, they race around willy-nilly until dizziness forces me to stop watching them. Think Ricochet Rabbit.
Friday Photos – Northern Mockingbird
A Loggerhead Shrike flew into a sagebrush and right after that I could hear a bird that sounded upset. The upset bird was this Northern Mockingbird.
Bye bye Blackbirds? The USDA is killing birds with DRC-1339
Recently the USDA accepted responsibility for a smaller die off in South Dakota which brought to light a little known program called "Bye bye Blackbird" which uses DRC-1339, a poison that is also called an avicide.
Four Eyes For Bird Photography
One photographer might have better vision and be able to spot birds that the other person may not have seen. Four eyes are better than two.
Sage Thrashers
Sage Thrashers are from the Mimid family. They forage mainly on the ground for insects, though they do eat berries at times.