Adult Burrowing Owl lifting off from rabbitbrushAdult Burrowing Owl lifting off from rabbitbrush – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

The heat of summer has turned the green grasses brown on Antelope Island State Park so I thought I’d share some of the “brown birds” I photographed there yesterday. A trio of brown birds from Antelope Island that I see there quite often. Topping the list is an adult Burrowing lifting off from a rabbitbrush that it had been perching on. Burrowing Owls are a favorite subject of mine and I think they always will be. Banded legs or not.

Mourning Dove perched on a dying greasewood, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahMourning Dove perched on a dying greasewood – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 320, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Later on I photographed a Mourning Dove perched on a dying greasewood at the White Rock Bay campgrounds. I’m glad the invasive European Collared Doves aren’t over running the island (yet) because I prefer the softer calls of the smaller, native Mourning Doves.

Young Western Meadowlark perched on rabbitbrushA young Western Meadowlark perched on rabbitbrush – Nikon D810, f8, 1/1600, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The Western Meadowlarks seem to have had a great nesting season because their numbers seem especially high at the moment on the island, they are every where! This young meadowlark was perched on a rabbitbrush and I had hoped to catch it lifting off so for probably 4 minutes I waited, finger on the shutter button, eye glued to my viewfinder and when it did lift off I missed it because an RV passed by causing it to fly away and my view of the bird was obstructed.

Bird photography isn’t easy.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my bird photos in my galleries.