Coyote running in drifts of snow
And it won’t be long before I am photographing wildlife in drifts of snow and birds on perches covered in white. Stretching my abilities and pushing my gear to the limits in low light situations or in the light reflected by blinding snow. I look forward to those challenges every winter. Even though it didn’t snow yesterday where I live I know it is coming soon.
Male Ring-necked Pheasant in the snow
Colors seem to look brighter against a canvas of white. Especially when the air is clear and the smog has been blown out of the valley. Last winter was pretty harsh and there was plenty of snow but who knows what this winter will bring.
Buffalo Point covered in snow
It won’t be long before I see Antelope Island State Park with a covering of snow, Buffalo Point and Frary Peak are two of my favorite places on the island and even more so with snow on them.
Dark morph Rough-legged Hawk on a dreary winter day
Then there will be the birds I see primarily in winter like the Rough-legged Hawks that are making their way south as I type this post.
I’ll get cold hands, a blush on my cheeks that doesn’t come in a plastic container and I will feel like the Pillsbury Dough Boy in layer upon layer of clothing. I’ll curse the smog and sing with joy on those beautifully clear morning where the light seems to make everything it falls on glow.
I love it when there is snow in the Salt Lake Valley.
Mia
PS: I still haven’t figured out what I am going to do about my copyright watermark but wanted to thank you all for your thoughts on it. I appreciate it very much.
Oh. How beautiful. We very, very rarely get snow in my city. Never coyotes or the birds you have featured. Thank you.
I have been wondering. I assume coyotes develop a winter pelt. Do they get caught out when winter arrives early (by our assessment), or should we be paying more attention to the birds and the animals than to our weather channels?
A friend of mine in North Dakota sent me a letter I received on the same day I heard that had 3 feet of snow in S. Dakota… She was hastily gathering in her garden with thoughts of frost on her mind. Around here the acorns are falling and the temps are in the high 70’s… but somehow we all are aware one morning we’ll wake up to snow drifts… It’s the time of year when change is palpable. You can taste it… wanting to enjoy these last few days for beautiful autumn… but knowing each moment brings us closer to the inevitable snows of winter.
I love that pheasant photo and the rough-legged hawk. The glowering in the hawk’s demeanor seems echoed in the clouds (storm forming in the background?) Once again your photos are stunningly beautiful. Many thanks.
Beautiful images, superb subjects. Love that warm and cuddly hawk!
But -what’s “snow”? 🙂
Great wintery shots.. Like the Hawk one.. he just looks like he’s huddled in a warm overcoat 😉
Love these! I especially like the Pheasant and Hawk photos. We saw two Coyotes yesterday. There’s a Great Blue Heron with a broken wing out at a local pond. I’m sure a Fox or Coyote will end up getting it. It should be long gone by now, but it can’t fly.
Beautiful snowy images Mia.
Wow, gorgeous snowy scenes. We are having temps in the 80’s. Love the coyote and the birds, Mia!