Snowy Coyote, Chukar and Antelope Island State Park

Chukar in the air – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

Yesterday when I saw this running Chukar image on my camera LCD in mid-stride and mid-air I had to chuckle because it looks something like a feathered Nerf football some one tossed across the snow. It does give a great view of the whole bird though!

There was about 6 inches of fresh snow on the ground on Antelope Island yesterday, some of the roads weren’t even plowed yet and while there was lovely light to the west it had not reached the island when I photographed the Chukar.

Snowy Coyote – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 350mm, natural light, not baited or called in

Then later I spotted Old Scarface again, a pale Coyote who has scars on its muzzle, and another darker, smaller Coyote. I think this pale Coyote is a male because he looks slightly larger than the other one, but I can’t be sure. The female hung back but this Coyote came up close and appeared to be looking for voles under the thick layer of snow, this image was taken right after the Coyote stuck its muzzle into the snow to sniff out prey. I have photographed this Coyote before but hadn’t noticed that its eyes are a darker amber than most Coyotes I have seen, maybe it was just the flat light.

This Coyote may have an injured foot, it did walk gingerly on the foot but at times I could see it just walking on its other three legs.

I’ll be posting more images of the Coyotes and the Chukars I photographed yesterday soon.

Snow-covered rocks on Antelope Island – Nikon D200, handheld, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, +1.7 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 42mm, natural light

This image shows the clouds over the island and they were the reason the light was flat, I liked the way the snow covered these rocks and how the drifts seemed a part of them.

More snow is on the way and it might be a few days before I can get back out to photograph. I have plenty of images that need to be edited though. The snow on Antelope Island has been beautiful this winter and hopefully the next time I go out there the sun will shine brightly on it.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to view more of my Coyote photos plus facts and information about this species.

By Mia McPherson|January 29th, 2013|Categories: Antelope Island State Park, Birds, Chukars, Coyotes, Davis County, Utah|Tags: Alectoris chukar, bird photography, Canis latrans, Chukar, chukars, Coyote, coyotes, high key, mammals, nature photography, rocks, snow, snow covered, snowy, whiteout, wildlife photography, winter|36 Comments

36 Comments

Julie Brown February 1, 2013 at 4:06 am

Great shot of the chukar, Mia!
- Mia McPherson February 1, 2013 at 7:55 am
  
  Thanks Julie, the Chukar was so funny.
Humming bird Lover January 31, 2013 at 12:48 pm

Hi! The chukar is saying I getting out of here fast! Ha Ha love it.
- Mia McPherson February 1, 2013 at 7:59 am
  
  Thanks Mom, Love you!
Humming bird Lover January 30, 2013 at 6:51 pm

Hi! Great pic’s! Love seeing the critters in the snow! I am jeaulous! Would love to be walking in the snow! Such good shots.
- Mia McPherson January 30, 2013 at 7:18 pm
  
  Thanks Mom, you always loved walking in the snow!
Ingrid January 30, 2013 at 5:51 pm

My husband just touched ground in Salt Lake on a connection to New Orleans. He described landing in snow-covered terrain and I immediately thought of you and Utah, and of your gorgeous images of snow creatures. The Chukar, as others have mentioned is so “cute.” (I know, I was trained not to use that word to describe wildlife.) The Snow White song, “Whistle While You Work” popped into my head when I saw the photo. As Wally wrote, I do hope the coyote is okay with that possible foot injury!
- Mia McPherson January 30, 2013 at 7:14 pm
  
  Ingrid, I hope that Hugh had some sunlight when he touched down here, I saw a gorgeous sunset image taken by a friend tonight, might have been the best light of the day at that time. I know, I am guilty of using “cute” some times too and that Chukar is cute in that pose. Now I have “whistle while you work” stuck in my head!
Susan January 30, 2013 at 6:39 am

I love these photos, especially the Chukar, just awesome:)
- Mia McPherson January 30, 2013 at 6:56 pm
  
  Thank you Susan.
Sally Wood January 29, 2013 at 7:46 pm

The Chukar mid-stride is great, and unusual capture!
- Mia McPherson January 30, 2013 at 4:28 pm
  
  Thank you Sally!
Sam Brunson January 29, 2013 at 6:01 pm

Great pics! Snow always offers an excellent background to photos.
- Mia McPherson January 30, 2013 at 4:28 pm
  
  Thanks Sam!
Rohrerbot January 29, 2013 at 2:11 pm

Mia, I love that Chukar. It would be a real treat to see these one day. Beautiful shots!!!!
- Mia McPherson January 30, 2013 at 4:27 pm
  
  Thanks Chris, I hope you get to see Chukars one day soon, they are neat birds.
Merrill Ann Gonzales January 29, 2013 at 12:25 pm

I love the way the undulation of the rocks echoes the undulation in the clouds…. A lovely little lyric poem that one. I’m wondering if your coyote is old… somehow there’s a bit of age eminating from his demeaner… And your chukar is certainly a clown…. and that image is great for understanding the physical nature of the bird. Thanks for a great treat today…. We’re melting here, but the freezing comes back this weekend. Stay warm and filled with the love of your art till the snow stops.
- Mia McPherson January 30, 2013 at 4:27 pm
  
  Merrill, the Coyote might be old, he sure seems to be fearless. I loved the clouds in the landscape shot with tiny bits of blue sky showing through, kind of hopeful. Thanks for your comments on these images.
Wally January 29, 2013 at 10:03 am

I’m surprised the Chukar can run in the snow without bogging down in it. Maybe a bit of a crust on the surface helped?
Comparing your Coyote to our locals shows quite a difference. Since ours don’t need the extra fur to protect against severe cold, they look emaciated next to yours. Hope your guy overcomes any injury to his foot/leg.
Great shot of the rocks and sky in the background. I love looking at pictures of snow…..from a distance…..a very great distance! 🙂
- Mia McPherson January 30, 2013 at 4:20 pm
  
  Wally, the image of the Chukar was taken where the snow had been previously plowed, they do have much more trouble on deep powdery snow. Our Coyotes do get very fluffy in winter compared to the ones in Florida. Thanks much for your comment.
Tami Vogel January 29, 2013 at 9:59 am

Oh my, I laughed aloud when I saw the Chukar, Mia. What an awesome capture!
- Mia McPherson January 30, 2013 at 4:19 pm
  
  Thanks Tami, glad I could help you laugh with that Chukar image!
Syl Lobato January 29, 2013 at 9:14 am

that Chukar looks like he was on a mission..love it..the coyote is great and the snow and rocks are fabulous. I love the continuity of the snow blending into the rocks. Great job …
- Mia McPherson January 30, 2013 at 4:17 pm
  
  Thank you Syl, the Chukar, Coyote and rocks were fun to photograph.
Azstu January 29, 2013 at 8:44 am

Great shots Mia
- Mia McPherson January 30, 2013 at 4:16 pm
  
  Thanks Stu!
Sherry in MT January 29, 2013 at 7:40 am

That chukar makes me chuckle too. What a great fun photo! Your landscape one is very nice as well. The coyotes are probably really on the hunt with all that new snow, love the shot.
- Mia McPherson January 30, 2013 at 4:15 pm
  
  Sherry, I see the Coyotes quite often hunting in the snow, they are great hunters. Glad the Chukar made you chuckle too.
M. Firpi January 29, 2013 at 7:38 am

I like the coyote’s face full of snow. That prodigious keen, sense of smell will help them through winter.
- Mia McPherson January 30, 2013 at 4:14 pm
  
  Thank you Maria.
Laurence Butler January 29, 2013 at 6:33 am

Very pretty Mia. That Chukar looks like he has cold feet!
- Mia McPherson January 30, 2013 at 4:13 pm
  
  Thanks Laurence.
Bob Bushell January 29, 2013 at 5:48 am

I love the snow covered Coyote, splendid photos.
- Mia McPherson January 30, 2013 at 4:13 pm
  
  Thanks much Bob!
eric c11 January 29, 2013 at 4:25 am

ha ha ha, the chukar pose is wonderfull ^^ well done mia ☺
- Mia McPherson January 30, 2013 at 4:13 pm
  
  Thank you Eric it is a fun shot!

Comments are closed.

Feel free to share!

Related Posts

36 Comments