Nesting Northern Harrier
Tt was the first time that I have ever seen a Northern Harrier building a nest. It more than made my day!
Western Kingbirds – My FOY
While I observed them one of the Western Kingbirds was actively hawking insects, swooping towards a bug then perching until it saw the next insect.
California Gulls – The 1848 Heroes of Utah’s Pioneers
Huge flocks of California Gulls allegedly descended onto the grasshoppers in the valley and made tasty meals of the insects thus preventing the total loss of the crops as the story is told.
Black-tailed Jackrabbit – A Hare Nervous?
The Black-tailed Jackrabbit arched its back while still keeping an eye on me and I thought the arched back looked very similar to a domestic cat when it gets riled up or frightened about something.
American Barn Owl Delight
I had a delightful experience this past week in northern Utah with an American Barn Owl that was flying along side the road that I was traveling on.
Argh.. Don’t Turn!! – Male American Kestrel In Flight With A Vole
Male American Kestrel in flight with a vole chased off by an appraoching vehicle
Shorebirds: Spotted Sandpipers
Spotted Sandpipers are fun to watch as they walk along the shoreline as they teeter, bob and bounce their rear ends up and down.
Birds – Close To Home
I can take advantage of the sucker holes by photographing birds close to home when the sun breaks through the clouds.
On My Wish List – Sagebrush Sparrow
Some women wish for diamonds, some men wish for fast cars while young children might wish for a pony or a trip to Disney. Me? I wish for birds. Pretty simple, huh?
Limpkins
Limpkins may not be as beautifully colored as a Roseate Spoonbill or as common as Sandhill Cranes in Florida but to me they are uniquely interesting and appealing birds.
White Ibis
In Florida White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) are a fairly common wading bird in Florida they are also seen along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico
Burrowing Owls – Loved to Death?
What made me sick was that there were three of those people tromping around the owl's burrow. I mean RIGHT up on it. They had no need to be that close but they were.
Antelope Island Loggerhead Shrikes
Last week I wrote that I was looking forward to the birds that arrive here in the spring and yesterday I was able to photograph some of the Loggerhead Shrikes that I mentioned.
Chukar Calling In The Snow
I was tickled to photograph this Chukar calling in the snow near the parking area of Frary Peak trailhead with the snow-covered mountain in the background.
Nanday Parakeets
Any bird that eats those nasty sand spurs is a hero in my book and Nanday Parakeets are one of them.
White Balance Mistakes On A White Ibis
After my experience with screwing my white balance up that day I had to make a note to myself to remember to check my white balance setting on the camera.
Fish Crows
Fish Crows are fairly commonplace along the coast of Pinellas County and they are often ignored by photographers because they are a "plain" common bird.
Bald Eagles – Age Progression From One To Five Years Old
A simple guide to aging Bald Eagles by their plumage development, legs and their bills with images showing the age progression.
Side Lit Coyotes
Yesterday I was tickled to spot not just one but a pair of coyotes on the causeway going to Antelope Island State Park
Northern Shovelers blasting off
This morning when we had almost reached Antelope Island I spotted a huge flock of Northern Shovelers blasting off from the water
Reddish Egret, Laughing and Ring-billed Gulls
There were quite a few Laughing Gulls on and near the shoreline, a few Ring-billed Gulls and two Reddish Egrets hunting on the beach that day.
Northern & Loggerhead Shrikes
Today was a good day, I finally took some images of a Northern Shrike (Lanius excubitor) that weren't taken from too far away.
Ring-necked Pheasant
Male Ring-necked Pheasants are very colorful and sport red face wattles, iridescent ear tufts, the white neck ring and bronze colored chest and back with barring. I remember my grandfather using the pheasant feathers for the flies that he tied.
Bald Eagle and Depth of Field
I believe these two eagle pictures illustrate what changes the depth of field settings can have on the appearance of an image.
Black-headed Grosbeaks In Montana
This male Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) sure caught my eye with its beautiful orange, black and white plumage.
Lazuli Bunting Males
Male Lazuli Buntings resemble bluebirds but they are smaller and the blues are a different hue than the Mountain, Eastern and Western Bluebirds.
Eared Grebe – Gray Day
Eared Grebes are the most abundant grebe in North America, there are times I see huge flocks of them on the Great Salt Lake numbering in the tens of thousands.
Short-eared Owl In A Fog
I hope to find some Short-eared Owls this winter in Utah, I think that some snow would make for a lovely setting for these delightful & enchanting birds.
Adult Burrowing Owl Blur
This blur was not intentional, but I do like the effect caused by the head of the Burrowing Owl spinning. Makes me dizzy just viewing the photo!
Western Meadowlark On A Cold Utah Morning
Not too long after I had gotten to my location I spotted a Western Meadowlark hunkered down on a rock trying to warm up with the rays of the rising sun.