Adult Eared Grebe in the marsh at Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was able to head to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge yesterday morning and it felt good to get back into the field and enjoy the spring beauty of the marshes. I saw a low of 20°F but the sun made the temps feel a bit warmer than that. I spotted my first of year Snowy Egrets, Franklin’s Gulls, and Eared Grebes on the marshes plus a gorgeous Short-eared Owl in flight on the way to the auto tour loop. I needed a trip out into nature to de-stress and revitalize myself. Mission almost accomplished.
The light yesterday morning was a little bit funky because of high, thin clouds overhead but I took a few photos of the birds that I was able to get close to including one of the Eared Grebes. This adult Eared Grebe is not quite in full breeding plumage but is very close to it. The photos I took of this Eared Grebe aren’t quite the quality that I would have liked because of the bleached out stalks of old vegetation but I was happy to get outside to see birds at the refuge and to hear the sounds of the marsh in spring.
Then last night just before bedtime the earth moved. Again.
USGS Earthquake map April 15, 2020
The 4.2 aftershock last night was large enough to be felt all across northern Utah. Since March 18th when we experienced the initial 5.7 quake we have had 1241 quakes in the map area shown above. Where I live the quake last night made the house shake and I could heard creaking noises, I’m just glad it didn’t last as long here at home as the 5.7 quake did.
I mentioned on Facebook that earth shook again last night and a friend asked me why we are having quakes in Utah. The answer to that here in northern Utah is that we live in active fault zones and right now they are a little more active than they have been since I moved here in 2009. More active than any of us living here would like, especially during the uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 global pandemic crisis.
For more information about the seismic relation between the West Valley fault zone (where most of the current seismic is occurring) and the Salt Lake City segment of the 220 mile long Wasatch fault zone please click here.
Needless to say I was just a bit uneasy as I fell asleep last night.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Eared Grebe photos plus facts and information about this species.
I really like the way the light is hitting his head, highlighting those exceptionally coolamatious ear tufts!
Sorry about the big aftershock. I hate those — just when things seem to be getting back to normal and I get used to the little’ns — WHAM! 🙁 Those beautiful mountains sure do come at a price.
Love the grebe.
And hope the quakes settle. Quickly.
I wonder if the leucistic eared grebes are back on the causeway? It would be fantastic to see a leucistic up close at BRMBR.
It is good to see the eared grebe but concerned about the earthquakes.
Cool shot Mia