Sunflowers blooming in front of the Stansbury MountainsSunflowers blooming in front of the Stansbury Mountains – Nikon D810, f16, 1/320, ISO 320, Nikkor 18-200mm at 40mm, natural light

Finding birds was very challenging yesterday in the canyons of the Stansbury Mountains but it wasn’t hard to find beauty in the scenery. The birds have finished nesting, most of them have raised their young past the fledging stage and because of the summer heat it has gotten harder to find birds to photograph in many areas. We (bird photographers and birders) call that slow.

Yesterday my best images were photos of these wild sunflowers in front of the Stansbury Mountains.

Stansbury Mountains and Wild SunflowersStansbury Mountains and Wild Sunflowers – Nikon D810, f16, 1/250, ISO 320, Nikkor 18-200mm at 95mm, natural light

The ruggedness of the West Desert of Utah’s mountain ranges, flats, grassy slopes and sagebrush steppes never fails to mesmerize me. Add some wildflowers and I am hooked.

Mountains, Canyons and SunflowersMountains, Canyons and Sunflowers – Nikon D810, f16, 1/250, ISO 320, Nikkor 18-200mm at 200mm, natural light

I may have dipped on birds yesterday but I did not miss the gorgeous scenery. I am so glad I stopped to enjoy the wildflowers.

Life is good.

Mia