Monday Mornings Medley of Birds on Antelope Island

Western Kingbird

After several days of not being able to photograph birds because of bad weather I was pleasantly surprised to have a medley of birds to photograph on Antelope Island Monday.

It started off with Western Kingbirds. Lots and lots of them along the causeway to the island. Every where I looked they were hawking for insects among the Rabbitbrush that grows along the road.

Adult Chukar

Then came the Chukars not long after getting to the island singing on top of rocks and warming up with the gentle rays of the sun. Even though they are an introduced species they have adjusted well to life on Antelope Island and for me they are always a welcome sight.

Burrowing Owl adult

Not too far from the Chukar was a Burrowing Owl and for a change this one didn’t have any bands or antennas sticking out of its feathers.  The owl seemed content to just perch on the rock and survey the world around it.

Juvenile Horned Lark

One of the next birds of the medley was a delight and a surprise, it was a juvenile Horned Lark perched on a rock not far from the road. It too seemed to be using the sun to warm up after a chilly night.

Adult Red-tailed Hawk

Then an adult Red-tailed Hawk soothed the raptor withdrawal I have been feeling lately, I haven’t had one close up in my viewfinder in quite some time. It was wonderful to see one on the island again.

Singing Sage Thrasher

Sage Thrasher seemed to be every where. They were either perched on top of a bush singing or winging their way through the air in search of prey or perhaps a mate.

Say’s Phoebe with prey

Another surprise was being able to get close to a Say’s Phoebe that had prey in its bill.

I saw Western Meadowlarks, Yellow Warblers, a Rock Wren and several Lark Sparrows on the island and along the causeway hundreds of shorebirds, gulls and Eared Grebes.

I’m heading back there this morning hoping to have another marvelous day.

Life is good.

Mia

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