To my delight, I heard and saw hundreds of American Crows at Farmington Bay WMA on my visit there early yesterday morning. The crows were great company.
Six American Crows in a tree – Nikon D500, f10, 1/640, ISO 500, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Unfortunately I had almost no light when I could have gotten close up photos of the crows. When there was enough light later in the morning the crows weren’t as close to the road as they had been earlier. Even though they were distant, I stopped to take a few frames of the crows on the bleached out branches of a dead tree in the marsh. The snow covered Wasatch Mountains to the east made for a great background especially since the crows stood out well.
This photo of these six American Crows isn’t the kind of image I typically take. I usually like to have a frame filling photos of the bird or animal I see in my viewfinder. When it comes to group photos of birds or animals I am willing to make exceptions.
While I was sitting and observing the crows I decided to take a few videos of them. I felt that this video of 15 American Crows was the best amongst the videos I took. I loved the snowy Wasatch Mountains behind the crows.
Human Noise Intrusion At Farmington Bay
Sadly, while I viewed this video at home I realized how noisy Farmington Bay WMA has become because of the construction that is occurring on the West Davis Corridor nearby. Additionally I can hear the traffic on I-15 and the Legacy Parkway in the background. It was kind of shocking to hear just how noisy it has become at the WMA.
When I first moved to Utah in 2009, Farmington Bay WMA felt like it was out in the country. It felt wild, quiet and peaceful. Bit by bit, acre by acre, urban sprawl and a highway that the local residents didn’t want cutting through their neighborhood, have destroyed those feelings.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American Crow photos plus facts and information about this species.
Yep, try growing up there. I have to pretend it is a different place (which it is) or else I would sob every trip.
Crows are such attractive birds. Thank you for giving them their due, Mia. They certainly seem to be enthusiastic in their calls. I wonder what’s up — or if that’s a barking dog I also hear in the background and if the dog set them off.
I agree that more is not better when it comes to people. Back in the 70s, one could see the Milky Way quite clearly at my old music camp. With the current light pollution from all the people that have built houses in the area (and use them as vacation rentals, so they’re booked all the time), star gazing isn’t much better than it is down where I am.
Hi sweetie ! I talk to all birds ! I make up the calls to match them ! I love all birds
Peaceful shots but the post moved me. I feel sad for all the creatures and all the Mia’s who have lost their refuge and for all the Suzanne’s who fought so hard to protect it and for a society and culture that can’t interact with nature without trying to Manage it !
I made point of being included in the citizen group who received the completely lame sauce information on the big “wildlife study” during the open comment period for this horrible road project. The only wildlife the study ever included statistics about were deer. Minimal numbers of deer were projected to be impacted or harmed in the making of that highway. No noise statistics at all? No pollution projections? No shorebirds or raptors or waterfowl in general? Yeah. Thanks UDOT.