{"id":1995,"date":"2011-03-03T07:37:19","date_gmt":"2011-03-03T14:37:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/?p=1995"},"modified":"2026-04-01T05:56:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T10:56:49","slug":"coming-soon-to-a-view-near-utah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2011\/03\/03\/coming-soon-to-a-view-near-utah\/","title":{"rendered":"Coming Soon To A View Near U(tah)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Coming Soon<\/h2>\n

Spring\u00a0releases:<\/h2>\n

If you have gotten bored with watching the same old movies during the cold days of winter be sure to look at these previews of the spring season.<\/p>\n

\"Sandhill\u00a0Sandhill Cranes courting on the shore of the Great Salt Lake – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1\/640, ISO 400, +0.7, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

The starring role of the picture above belongs to the tall, svelte Sandhill Cranes. Sandhills love to dance, are flashy in appearance, they make sure that you know they are around with their exuberant voices and the camera loves them.<\/p>\n

Sandhill Cranes love to travel in the spring and fall and really rack up the frequent flyer miles. During the winter they fly south like some of the wealthy “snowbirds” where they put on shows for large audiences and the paparazzi.<\/p>\n

They never disappoint whether they are in the wilds of southern North America or when performing for smaller audiences of the north.<\/p>\n

Have I mentioned\u00a0the camera loves them? Rumor has it that they will soon be making their first 2011 appearances in Utah.<\/p>\n

\"American\u00a0American Avocets yearly sequel – Nikon D200, f7.1, 1\/800, ISO 400, +0.3, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 500mm, natural light.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having spent the cold months\u00a0gowned in\u00a0white American Avocets develop a lovely delicate apricot blush prior to their first spring sequel. They have\u00a0enchanting curves, long willowy legs\u00a0which combined with their graceful ballet style movements makes them show stoppers. Although they prefer to perform on the shores of inland lakes and marshes\u00a0during the summer they do occasionally like to stroll and play in the shallow water. They prefer to perform during daylight hours when the natural light shows them at their best and by nature they are not “night owls”.<\/p>\n

\"DramaticDramatic Double-crested Cormorant – Nikon D200, f9,1\/320, ISO 320, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

Dark, dramatic and\u00a0powerful with piercing eyes Double-crested Cormorants take the center stage of lakes and ponds in early spring. Often cast in the role of a villain because of their intense gaze, their moody looks and the way they spread their wings like Dracula’s cape. Personally I find their\u00a0actions extremely interesting and they strike some fascinating poses.<\/p>\n

\"YoungYoung male Long-billed Curlew in flight – Nikon D200, f5.6, 1\/640, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

The aerial performances of the Long-billed Curlews spring time courtship displays start at sunrise in the open grasslands of Utah. Their whistling call is hauntingly beautiful and the flashes of cinnamon under their wings are eye catching.\u00a0 Our largest shorebird in North America, they are graceful and uniquely interesting. Their\u00a0acts combine breathtaking acrobatic dives and fluid aerial movements at speeds that make the Cirque du Soleil pale in comparison. I’m anxiously awaiting the premier of the beauties this spring and they always get a “two thumbs up” from this audience member.<\/p>\n

\"AmericanAmerican White Pelican lifting off from Willow Pond – Nikon D200, tripod mounted, f7.1, 1\/1500, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 205mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

While large, ungainly\u00a0and lumbering on land American White Pelicans are very adept at synchronized swimming in large groups and their dinner matinees are great to see.<\/p>\n

They love to soar in the sky too by\u00a0forming large circular groups\u00a0whirling up towards the clouds on the thermals, higher and higher until they disappear from sight. Landings and take offs are exciting to see.<\/p>\n

Their black and white plumage makes them easy to spot from long distances and this wanna be paparazzi can not resist clicking the shutter button when they arrive in town.<\/p>\n

\"LoggerheadLoggerhead Shrike with its tongue exposed – Nikon D200, f7.1, 1\/1000, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

Small but pugnacious Loggerhead Shrikes are quick to voice their displeasure if\u00a0the audience is too close, I sure wouldn’t want them to chew my ear off.<\/p>\n

They are rough, tough and don’t care much about their appearance if the leftovers on their bills are any indication.<\/p>\n

Though their size is the equivalent of a welter-weight these shrikes show that they have the spirit of a much larger and stronger competitor and do not hesitate to get right in the face of anyone infringing on what they call their territory.<\/p>\n

They will get right into your face if you cross the line. They are; however, a delight to see in action and I wouldn’t want to miss many of their lofty performances.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"Admission<\/p>\n

These are just a small selection of the cast and characters of the upcoming Spring Season in Utah, there will be many more of our fine feathered friends making appearances who will fascinate, delight, titillate and amuse us. Stay tuned for the best shows on earth, Nature Unleashed.<\/p>\n

Nothing that Hollywood produces is as exceptional as the show we are about to see!<\/p>\n

Life is<\/em> good. Migration is coming soon.<\/p>\n

Mia<\/p>\n

See more of my bird photos in their galleries by clicking here<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

These are just a small selection of the cast and characters of the upcoming Spring Season<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":155400,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[451,3,511,144,247,199,709,450,26],"tags":[1634,3966,4259,5350,5200,3132,4809,149,4171,4066,4132,4173,4133,4154,706,4177,4518,3907,453,452],"class_list":["post-1995","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-american-avocets","category-white-pelicans","category-antelope-island-state-park","category-double-crested-cormorant","category-loggerhead-shrikes","category-long-billed-curlews","category-salt-lake-county-utah","category-sandhill-cranes","category-utah","tag-american-avocet","tag-american-white-pelican","tag-antigone-canadensis","tag-avocets","tag-cormorants","tag-cranes","tag-curlews","tag-double-crested-cormorant","tag-lanius-ludovicianus","tag-loggerhead-shrike","tag-long-billed-curlew","tag-nannopterum-auritus","tag-numenius-americanus","tag-pelecanus-erythrorhynchos","tag-pelicans","tag-recurvirostra-americana","tag-sandhill-crane","tag-shrikes","tag-spring-previews","tag-spring-time"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/long-billed-curlew-male-flight-utah-mia-mcpherson-6150.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p11Mom-wb","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":50948,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2018\/02\/11\/american-avocets-american-white-pelicans-and-sandhill-cranes-have-returned\/","url_meta":{"origin":1995,"position":0},"title":"American Avocets, American White Pelicans and Sandhill Cranes Have Returned","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"February 11, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"I'm excited that the American Avocets, American White Pelicans and Sandhill Cranes have returned to northern Utah because I look forward to seeing and photographing them again.","rel":"","context":"In "American Avocets"","block_context":{"text":"American Avocets","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/avian\/shorebirds\/american-avocets\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"American White Pelican scooping up food from the water, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/american-white-pelican-feeding-mia-mcpherson-7242.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/american-white-pelican-feeding-mia-mcpherson-7242.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/american-white-pelican-feeding-mia-mcpherson-7242.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/american-white-pelican-feeding-mia-mcpherson-7242.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4538,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2012\/02\/26\/signs-of-spring-american-avocets-and-double-crested-cormorants\/","url_meta":{"origin":1995,"position":1},"title":"Signs of Spring ~ American Avocets and Double-crested Cormorants","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"February 26, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"I was right on the ID and saw not just one but two of American Avocets in flying along the causeway. Wow, more \"spring birds\"!","rel":"","context":"In "American Avocets"","block_context":{"text":"American Avocets","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/avian\/shorebirds\/american-avocets\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"American Avocet in flight, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/american-avocet-flight-mia-mcpherson-5906.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/american-avocet-flight-mia-mcpherson-5906.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/american-avocet-flight-mia-mcpherson-5906.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/american-avocet-flight-mia-mcpherson-5906.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 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Swainson’s Hawks – Spring Migrants On The Wing","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"February 19, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"We still have our winter birds and the spring migrants have begun their journey north so my bird photography is likely to pick up and get exciting soon if the clouds will give me a break.","rel":"","context":"In "American White Pelicans"","block_context":{"text":"American White Pelicans","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/avian\/pelicans\/white-pelicans\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Three Sandhill Cranes in flight, Bicknell Bottoms Wildlife Management Area, Wayne County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/sandhill-cranes-flight-mia-mcpherson-6708.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/sandhill-cranes-flight-mia-mcpherson-6708.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, 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