I took a bunch of frame filling bird photos yesterday morning in northern Utah. The photo I liked the most from yesterday was of winter waterfowl on a small pond with mist rising from the water and hoar frost covering the vegetation.

Northern Utah winter waterfowl landscape, Box Elder County, UtahNorthern Utah winter waterfowl landscape – Nikon D500, f8, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The photo is more of an landscape image than a bird image although the birds in the frame are a big part of the image and why it appeals to me.

It was bitter cold yesterday morning. The lowest temp I saw was 0°F which is the coldest I have seen, and more importantly felt, all winter long. Despite dressing in layers and being prepared for the cold temps I was extremely uncomfortable at times. Blasts of icy air from multiple open vehicle windows certainly did not help with my discomfort. I was colder than I have been in many years.

Viewing this winter waterfowl photo later this summer when the temps reach the triple digits will remind me of just how frigid and cold winters in northern Utah can be. Okay, enough complaining.

Back to this photo

There were Canada Geese, Mallards and American Wigeons in and around this ranch pond in this image. Overnight the fog had created thick layers of bright white hoar frost on the vegetation near the edge of the water.

There is also a wading bird in this photo. I knew that it was close by but I did not know I had captured the wading bird this frame until I viewed it larger on my computer monitor. Can you see the Great Blue Heron? Look at the left side of the photo above the frost covered bush where the yellow bill and face of the heron can be seen.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my waterfowl photos and here to see more of my landscape photos of Utah.