American Coots in a snow storm – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/320, ISO 800, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The first decent amount of snow fell in the Salt Lake Valley and it continued throughout the day yesterday, it didn’t snow hard but it snowed steadily and before I went to sleep last night there was just a little over five inches on the ground. The light stayed low all day long but I just had to visit the local pond while the snow was falling because, you know, birds in falling snow are a favorite of mine. There weren’t all that many species but they included Mallards, Ring-billed and California Gulls, a few drake Redheads, one male Belted Kingfisher, two Northern Flickers, European Starlings, Pied-billed Grebes, Canada Geese and American Coots.
It seemed that while I was at the pond the snow started to fall harder so visibility was low and I took a few long distance images of the birds on the pond.
There were several American Coots hunkered down next to a point of the shoreline with one coot moving away that caught my eyes because of the snow-covered cattails, falling snowflakes and the dark forms of the coots against all the white snow.
Canada Geese in a winter snow storm – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 800, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
And on the other side of the pond I could make out some resting Canada Geese on another point of the shoreline with a few geese on the water. The American Coots and Canada Geese deal with icy cold water, freezing temps and snow during the winters here and they all seem to do fine.
Neither of these images will knock anyone’s socks off but for me they show these coots and geese in the snow storm and the harsh conditions they live in, just birds being birds.
It doesn’t appear to be snowing here at home this morning but there are clouds overhead. I may just have to go to the pond again today and see what birds this storm may have brought in.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American Coot photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see more of my Canada Geese photos plus facts and information about this species.
The snow is a soothing background. You can almost feel the cold. A nice counterpoint to the 83 degree weather today. Our local photographers are also shooting ducks. Great work as always.
Great shots! These images remind me that, regardless of the season, life goes on in it’s own quiet and beautiful way. Although it does seem a tad nippy. Thanks Mia.
Winter wonders. And a cooling image (which I need as we lurch into the sweaty season. Thank you.
The tenacity of nature! Thanks for the reminder.
Lovely, calming shots of birds and snow.
As always, Mia, your images inspire and bring a deep sense of connection to nature and all her wonders.
Those are great shots of birds in winter…they show what nature photographers will go through to get photos…..(now I have to go pick up my socks)
Thanks Mia..