I went out to Antelope Island State Park yesterday hoping to put my newly repaired D300 through its paces and although I did get some images of birds and mammals, the light wasn't very good for most of the morning because of storm clouds.
With the rising temperatures the American Bison on Antelope Island need to find a reliable freshwater source.
Currently I am considering pursuing legal action against a commercial web site in Layton, Utah that has stolen 4 of my copyrighted images and used them on their site. The process of making a legal claim is daunting to me, however; I feel that I have to stand up and fight for what is legally mine AND protected by law.
I look at this image and I see intelligence in the Coyote's eyes. I see a warm blooded creature who is doing what it needs to do to survive. I see a female who is nursing pups. I see beauty.
I've selected a few Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) images taken a few years ago to post today.
Every day that I spend in the field is always marvelous but it seems especially wonderful during the change of seasons because I feel a heightened sense of anticipation for the first of the year birds, the first spotting of wildflowers blooming or the seasonal changes that wildlife exhibits in behavior or appearance.
The Long-billed Curlews (Numenius americanus) have returned to their breeding grounds! I would have jumped for joy but when you are inside a vehicle that can lead to a severe headache after hitting your skull on the roof. :-)
Normally I'd prefer to get a cleaner view of the Coyote for images but in this case I enjoy the habitat in the frame.
I couldn't resist posting another Western Meadowlark image that I created today even though I posted one earlier this morning.
Antelope Island State Park is another of my favorite locations for bird and wildlife photography plus the scenery is incredibly beautiful at any time of the year. Although the park is about 41 miles from Salt Lake City it has retained its wild and wonderful character.
Today I had the pleasure of photographing with not just one but two wonderful friends and fellow photographers. To be sure they are much more "fellow" than I am but I don't hold that against them.
Last week though I had the opportunity to photograph a very cooperative Rough-legged Hawk preening.
As much as I love going to Antelope Island State Park to photograph birds I also enjoy going there to see and photograph the furry animals that can be found there.
Last Friday I came upon this Swainson's Hawk; not just once but twice, perched on signs very close to the road.
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.
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.
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!