Birds

Birds that I find in the field, photograph and share the stories behind the images.

Juvenile Song Sparrow Perched In A Thicket

By |July 28th, 2019|Categories: Morgan County, Song Sparrows, Utah, Wasatch Mountains|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

The light wasn't great when I took this image of a juvenile Song Sparrow perched in a thicket last year but these little ones don't seem to spend a lot of time in the open right after they fledge so I was happy with the photo.

Tiny Spotted Sandpiper Chicks Learning About Their World

By |July 24th, 2019|Categories: Birds, Spotted Sandpipers, Summit County, Utah, Wasatch Mountains|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I was excited and enchanted by seeing and photographing at least two Spotted Sandpiper chicks yesterday morning near a creek up in the Wasatch Mountains.

I Finally Photographed The Crown Of An Orange-crowned Warbler

By |July 22nd, 2019|Categories: Birds, Morgan County, Orange-crowned Warblers, Utah, Wasatch Mountains|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I could wish that the Orange-crowned Warbler didn't look as messy as it does but I am just so glad to have taken even one image where the orange crown is visible that I would toot a horn if I owned one.

Female And Male Black-necked Stilts

By |July 21st, 2019|Categories: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Birds, Black-necked Stilts, Box Elder County, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

These two Black-necked Stilt photos were taken 9 days ago at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and I thought they could easily show the difference between the female and male of this species.

Focusing On An Adult Black-crowned Night Heron

By |July 19th, 2019|Categories: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Birds, Black-crowned Night Herons, Box Elder County, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I was glad to focus on the Black-crowned Night Herons I saw that morning because of late I have seen fewer of them than I have on past years which has meant fewer opportunities to photograph them. 

Molting Black-capped Chickadee

By |July 18th, 2019|Categories: Birds, Black-capped Chickadees, Summit County, Utah, Wasatch Mountains|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

This Black-capped Chickadee's plumage isn't in prime condition but I feel like my work as a bird photographer includes taking images of them looking great and not so great because it is all part of the cycle of their lives.

Male Belted Kingfisher Surveying His Mountain Canyon Home

By |July 16th, 2019|Categories: Belted Kingfishers, Birds, Summit County, Utah, Wasatch Mountains|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

Back in early June I had the opportunity to photograph a male Belted Kingfisher up close high in the Wasatch Mountains but due to circumstances beyond my control I missed those shots.

Messy Looking Orange-crowned Warbler Foraging In Willows

By |July 15th, 2019|Categories: Birds, Orange-crowned Warblers, Summit County, Utah, Wasatch Mountains|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I've been looking for Orange-crowned Warblers in the Wasatch Mountains to get better images of them this year and so far my best chance has been with this messy looking one I saw and photographed yesterday.

American Avocet and Black-necked Stilt Chicks at Bear River MBR

By |July 13th, 2019|Categories: American Avocets, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Birds, Black-necked Stilts, Box Elder County, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I spent part of my morning yesterday photographing American Avocet and Black-necked Stilt chicks from the auto tour route at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and it was a blast watching these young shorebirds.

Photographing An Adult Willow Flycatcher On Various Branches

By |July 10th, 2019|Categories: Birds, Summit County, Utah, Wasatch Mountains, Willow Flycatchers|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

It seems that I have spent a lot of time photographing Willow Flycatchers this year and I am happy that I have because I enjoying taking photos of these flycatchers.

Snowy Egret In Flight Over The Green Marsh At Bear River MBR

By |July 8th, 2019|Categories: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Birds, Box Elder County, Snowy Egrets, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Sometimes the simplicity of an image is what draws me in and keeps me happily satisfied with it and that is what I enjoy about this photo of a Snowy Egret in flight over the marsh at Bear River MBR, the simplicity.

Adult Double-crested Cormorant Showing The Electric Blue Lining Of Its Mouth

By |July 7th, 2019|Categories: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Birds, Box Elder County, Double-crested Cormorants, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

During the breeding season even the inside of the mouths of Double-crested Cormorants show changes, the lining inside their mouths turns into a deep, electric or cobalt blue.

Goofy Looking Upside Down Displaying Male Brown-headed Cowbird

By |July 5th, 2019|Categories: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Birds, Box Elder County, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

This photo of a displaying male Brown-headed Cowbird in a goofy upside down pose is not a good photo technically but I absolutely love the behavior it shows.

Angry Birds – Featuring A Western Grebe

By |July 3rd, 2019|Categories: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Birds, Box Elder County, Utah, Western Grebes|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I know that is probably anthropomorphizing but I do allow myself to giggle about birds I think look "angry" and if any of them do this Western Grebe certainly does. 

Male Broad-tailed Hummingbird Defending His Chokecherry Perch

By |June 27th, 2019|Categories: Birds, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, Morgan County, Shrubs, Trees, Utah, Wasatch Mountains|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

It was interesting to watch and photograph this little Broad-tailed Hummingbird defend his favorite perch from the intruders I barely saw but could hear as they flew in and he flew out to chase them away.

American Avocet Chicks Have Hatched At Bear River MBR

By |June 26th, 2019|Categories: American Avocets, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Birds, Box Elder County, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Three days ago I was tickled to finally see some American Avocet chicks on the marsh at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, I've been waiting to see these little puff balls this year!

White-faced Ibis With A Red Invertebrate Of Some Kind

By |June 25th, 2019|Categories: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Birds, Box Elder County, Utah, White-faced Ibises|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

It seems I also photographed an odd, little hitchhiker on the lore and bill of the White-faced Ibis when I took these photos.

Killdeer Nesting In Last Year’s Ashes

By |June 24th, 2019|Categories: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Birds, Box Elder County, Killdeer, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Both the female and male Killdeer incubate so there is no way for me to tell what the gender of this Killdeer is but it stayed on the scrape while I photographed it and didn't move.

Male Broad-tailed Hummingbird Landing And Lifting Off

By |June 23rd, 2019|Categories: Birds, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, Morgan County, Utah, Wasatch Mountains|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

After finding a new Broad-tailed Hummingbird favorite perch this year where I can pull over and not have to worry about traffic so much I have had a blast photographing the little male resting, preening, landing, lifting off and keeping an eye on his territory. 

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