{"id":6423,"date":"2012-10-25T07:45:46","date_gmt":"2012-10-25T13:45:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/?p=6423"},"modified":"2026-04-01T10:59:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T15:59:54","slug":"winters-first-snow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2012\/10\/25\/winters-first-snow\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter’s First Snow"},"content":{"rendered":"

As I write this the first snow of winter is falling outside my living room window. For the past week I have seen the snow on the mountain tops and I had been looking forward to seeing the snow covering the Salt Lake Valley.<\/p>\n

It might not snow enough to do that today but I know it won’t be long. Here are some images from previous winters here in Utah.<\/p>\n

\"AntelopeAntelope Island after a fresh snow<\/span><\/p>\n

This was taken last winter, it had snowed during the night and the island had a light covering of it. Winter last year; if you can call it that, was mild. I’m hoping that we get more snow in the valley than we did then.<\/p>\n

\"CoyoteCoyote eating falcon leftovers for breakfast<\/span><\/p>\n

Even though we didn’t get much snow last winter the temps were bitter cold some days, cold enough that the Great Salt Lake would freeze and when it would warm back up enough to thaw some of the ice the north wind would blow huge sheets of ice to the shore and large piles of ice would form there. This Coyote was eating falcon leftovers with the sheets of ice piled up behind it.<\/p>\n

\"FrostFrost covered Barn Owl<\/span><\/p>\n

Winters can be harsh here in the Salt Lake Valley with bitter cold temperatures, icy fog, high winds and heavy snow. This Barn Owl shows the effects of a very cold night, that is hoar frost all over its face and back. The birds that stay here in the winter… they are tough, they have to be!<\/p>\n

\"AdultAdult Bald Eagle coming in for a landing<\/span><\/p>\n

Very soon I will be seeing Bald Eagles in the valley. During the summer I rarely see them here, I either need to go up into the high country or head north to see them. But during the winter Bald Eagles from the far north migrate to the Salt Lake Valley to overwinter. Last winter the numbers were low because it had been mild but during a typical winter it is not unusual to count more than a hundred eagles in a morning.<\/p>\n

\"GreatGreat Blue Heron on thin ice<\/span><\/p>\n

Our Great Blue Herons are year round residents and once the ponds, marshes and lakes freeze over they hunt voles in through the snow instead of hunting for prey in the water. Even the Great Blues are tough birds.<\/p>\n

\"MallardMallard on ice<\/span><\/p>\n

The pond down the hill from where I live will host Mallards, American Coots, Canada Geese, Pied-billed Grebes, gulls and if I am lucky I’ll see other ducks species and mergansers too.<\/p>\n

It is so close that I hope to spend time down there perfecting my skills at photographing them in falling snow like I did with the male Mallard above.<\/p>\n

\"PrairiePrairie Falcon juvenile perched on a log<\/span><\/p>\n

It will become easier to approach raptors like this Prairie Falcon, when it gets colder the birds get stickier and are less apt to fly away so quickly.<\/p>\n

Our American Kestrels, Prairie and Peregrine Falcons are year round residents but during the warmer months they are a challenge to get close to.<\/p>\n

Rough-legged Hawks will soon be arriving and the Red-tailed Hawks are coming down from the high country to spend the winter in the valley.<\/p>\n

Merlins have already been reported.<\/p>\n

Who knows, maybe some Snowy Owls will show up too. I’ll also want to go to the west desert to look for Golden Eagles and Ferruginous Hawks.<\/p>\n

\"White-crownedWhite-crowned Sparrow on frost covered rabbitbrush<\/span><\/p>\n

Even smaller birds like this adult White-crowned Sparrow get stickier when the weather turns colder, I am able to get more images of sparrows during the winter than I can get during the summer.<\/p>\n

I heard thunder awhile ago, I’ve always gotten a kick out of thunder-snow.<\/p>\n

After living for five years in the heat and humidity of Florida I relish fall and winter. Bring on the snow!<\/p>\n

Mia<\/p>\n

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

As I write this the first snow of winter is falling outside my living room window. For the past week I have seen the snow on the mountain tops and I had been looking forward to seeing the snow covering the Salt Lake Valley.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":173829,"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":[129,511,151,27,100,1022,697,166,965,1095,709,26,356],"tags":[3985,4237,4117,846,733,4002,4278,3987,4152,1604,4277,4050,49,4327,4256],"class_list":["post-6423","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-barn-owls","category-antelope-island-state-park","category-bald-eagle","category-avian","category-coyotes","category-davis-county-utah","category-farmington-bay-wma","category-great-blue-herons","category-mallards","category-prairie-falcons","category-salt-lake-county-utah","category-utah","category-white-crowned-sparrows","tag-barn-owl","tag-anas-platyrhynchos","tag-ardea-herodias","tag-bald-eagle","tag-canis-latrans","tag-coyote","tag-falco-mexicanus","tag-great-blue-heron","tag-haliaeetus-leucocephalus","tag-mallard","tag-prairie-falcons","tag-snow","tag-tyto-furcata","tag-white-crowned-sparrow","tag-zonotrichia-leucophrys"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/antelope-island-snow-mia-mcpherson-6399.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p11Mom-1FB","jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6965,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2012\/12\/30\/600th-post-an-antelope-island-snow-day\/","url_meta":{"origin":6423,"position":0},"title":"600th post – An Antelope Island Snow Day","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"December 30, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"I wanted to share a few images taken two days ago when Antelope Island was covered with a fresh snow fall. The entire island looked glorious and the sunlight caused the snow to sparkle much to my delight.","rel":"","context":"In "American Bison"","block_context":{"text":"American Bison","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/wildlife\/bison\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Juvenile White-crowned Sparrows on a snow-covered bush on Antelope Island State Park with the icy Great Salt Lake in the background.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/white-crowned-sparrows-snow-mia-mcpherson-6184.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/white-crowned-sparrows-snow-mia-mcpherson-6184.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/white-crowned-sparrows-snow-mia-mcpherson-6184.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/white-crowned-sparrows-snow-mia-mcpherson-6184.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":43133,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2016\/11\/17\/first-snow-of-the-year-winter-birds-ahead\/","url_meta":{"origin":6423,"position":1},"title":"First Snow of the Year – Winter Birds Ahead","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"November 17, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Well, it finally snowed in the Salt Lake Valley last night and when I woke there was a layer of snow on the grass outside my window.","rel":"","context":"In "American Barn Owls"","block_context":{"text":"American Barn Owls","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/avian\/owls\/barn-owls\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"American Barn Owl in flight near the snow covered Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/barn-owl-snow-mia-mcpherson-0993.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/barn-owl-snow-mia-mcpherson-0993.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/barn-owl-snow-mia-mcpherson-0993.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/barn-owl-snow-mia-mcpherson-0993.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2799,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2011\/07\/20\/american-kestrel-male\/","url_meta":{"origin":6423,"position":2},"title":"American Kestrel Male","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"July 20, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"The American Kestrel is our smallest falcon in North America but what they lack in size I feel they make up for in attitude.","rel":"","context":"In "American Kestrels"","block_context":{"text":"American Kestrels","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/avian\/falcons\/american-kestrel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Male American Kestrel on Antelope Island after a snow, Davis County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/american-kestrel-perched-winter-snow-mia-mcpherson-7638.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/american-kestrel-perched-winter-snow-mia-mcpherson-7638.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/american-kestrel-perched-winter-snow-mia-mcpherson-7638.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/american-kestrel-perched-winter-snow-mia-mcpherson-7638.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35452,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2016\/02\/09\/barn-owls-in-winter\/","url_meta":{"origin":6423,"position":3},"title":"American Barn Owls in Winter","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"February 9, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"I am always grateful to see Barn Owls in winter and to be able to photograph them in sweet light is a delight.","rel":"","context":"In "American Barn Owls"","block_context":{"text":"American Barn Owls","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/avian\/owls\/barn-owls\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Flying American Barn Owl on a February morning, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/barn-owl-flight-mia-mcpherson-0990.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/barn-owl-flight-mia-mcpherson-0990.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/barn-owl-flight-mia-mcpherson-0990.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/barn-owl-flight-mia-mcpherson-0990.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4138,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2012\/01\/25\/wild-and-wonderful-antelope-island-state-park-the-birds\/","url_meta":{"origin":6423,"position":4},"title":"Wild and Wonderful – Antelope Island State Park – The Birds","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"January 25, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "American Barn Owls"","block_context":{"text":"American Barn Owls","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/avian\/owls\/barn-owls\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) adult, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah\u00a0","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/great-horned-owl-mia-mcpherson-8256.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/great-horned-owl-mia-mcpherson-8256.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/great-horned-owl-mia-mcpherson-8256.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/great-horned-owl-mia-mcpherson-8256.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7181,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2013\/01\/19\/some-fun-with-birds-from-yesterday\/","url_meta":{"origin":6423,"position":5},"title":"Some Fun With Birds From Yesterday","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"January 19, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"A wonderful fun-filled day with great companionship and plenty of birds. I can't ask for more.","rel":"","context":"In "American Barn Owls"","block_context":{"text":"American Barn Owls","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/avian\/owls\/barn-owls\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Chukar running on a snow covered rock on Antelope Island State Park, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/chukar-snow-antelope-island-mia-mcpherson-1790.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/chukar-snow-antelope-island-mia-mcpherson-1790.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/chukar-snow-antelope-island-mia-mcpherson-1790.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/chukar-snow-antelope-island-mia-mcpherson-1790.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6423","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6423"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6423\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/173829"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6423"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6423"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6423"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}