Double-crested Cormorant and American Coot in snow – Nikon D500, f9, 1/640, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
It was a snowy, low light day yesterday here in the Salt Lake City area and it appears that today is going to be a repeat of yesterday.
I did get out to my local pond to see what was there and I did take a few photographs of the birds I found there, that helped a little with the cabin fever and bird photography withdrawals I have been feeling.
There were ducks and geese that were close enough to me to get frame filling images of that showed the falling snow and some of the geese had enough snow on their backs to nearly cover them.
It was my photos of a Double-crested Cormorant and American Coot in the snow storm that touched me the most even though both birds are small in the frame. The images tell a story of the tough conditions the birds here survive in during our rough winters. It won’t be long before winter slips away and the warmer days of spring arrive and the crazy weather of this winter is just a faded memory but for now the birds have to get through this storm.
Life is good.
Mia
This winter has been a bit crazy due to fluctuations in the weather, we have had normal cold and snow along with record breaking warms day that have melted snow and ice that has caused flooding in the northern part of Utah and to the west in Nevada. And now we have more snow to melt when it gets warmer next week. My heart goes out to those affected by the flooding. When I was a child a house fire caused me and my family to lose nearly everything we owned and I know exactly how difficult that can be. So while I thought the snow yesterday was beautiful it also increased my concerns for my neighbors to the north.
Utah National Guard to assist flood efforts in Box Elder County
I heard on the news that one of the houses in the flood zone got 3-ft of water in the basement.
Sorry to hear about your own loss by fire. I only experienced storage unit break-in loss. ☹️
Amazing that they can find enough food to survive in this kind of wearher…they look pretty peaceful though….
I am always amazed that in weather like yesterday birds look like it’s “just business as usual.” Its only when it is very cold or deep snow for extended time seems to put visible stress on them. Since I am still banned from working today but feeling well enough to play I was thinking of going out to photograph today. There are a few sucker holes showing.