I’ve spent some time lately looking through images I have taken during the month of August at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge when there was ample water in all of the water units because this year there isn’t as much water due to a construction project. I have to say I really miss having the water in the units because there were so many birds to photograph then, there isn’t this year.

Stormy Sky with a Great Blue Heron in flight, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahStormy Sky with a Great Blue Heron in flight – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Prior to this year when I have been asked by people who are going to visit Utah which locations I recommend for finding and photographing birds at the top of my list of great places has been Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge because it has been spectacular for birds and bird photography. That isn’t the case this year because of the lack of water which in turn has caused a lack of birds on the auto tour route for the most part. I’d even go so far as to call it “slim pickings”.

Two years ago when I photographed this stormy sky with a Great Blue Heron in flight I also photographed loads of other birds from the auto tour route including wading and shorebirds, geese, ducks, ibis, terns, gulls, rails, pelicans and coots. It was crazy busy with birds.

Fall migration has already started for the shorebirds that usually make a stop at the refuge to refuel, I truly hope they are finding enough of that fuel in other marshy locations that surround the Great Salt Lake so they have enough energy to continue their journey.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Great Blue Heron photos plus facts and information about this species.