Box Elder County Yellow-bellied MarmotBox Elder County Yellow-bellied Marmot – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 320, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Yesterday started off with gray clouds then the skies cleared for the most part during mid morning and then later became gray again before the sun set. I visited Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and then headed north towards the road to Promontory Point in Box Elder County.

At Bear River MBR there were more birds than a week earlier but not many that were close enough to photograph when the light was good. I saw between 12 to 15 Long-billed Curlews and that got my blood pumping! I didn’t see Tundra Swans but I heard them way off in the distance, they will soon be on the wing to their breeding grounds.

I saw several Golden Eagles and missed an opportunity to photograph one of them on a road killed rabbit and when it took flight the light was awful. The Rough-legged Hawks that were there a week before were missing and have probably migrated north to breed. I saw Red-tailed Hawks, Prairie Falcons, Bald Eagles and Northern Harriers but haven’t seen my first of the year Swainson’s Hawk yet.

Yesterday I wrote that I hadn’t seen my first of the year kingbird and I am happy to say I saw one yesterday, a Western Kingbird on a wire.

I also saw two Yellow-bellied Marmots, one I couldn’t get images of because it crossed a gravel road and then hid in boulders next to the road. I was able to take images of a Box Elder County Yellow-bellied Marmot further south next to the road near the foothills of the Promontory Mountains. The light could have been better but it was after noon by the time I photographed it. Still, I couldn’t resist photographing the marmot on the lichen-covered rocky outcropping.

In the interest of full disclosure I did clone out some very out of focus grass stems that were at the bottom right side of the frame. I don’t often use the cloning brush in Photoshop for anything more than dust spot removal but I felt those grass stems need to go.

It felt good to get out knowing the forecast for the next three days is dreary due to a slow moving weather front. Spring time in Utah.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Yellow-bellied Marmot photos plus facts and information about this species.