Willet Close Ups
There was a very cooperative Willet on Antelope Island Yesterday that was close to a road and perched in sweet light and I couldn't resist taking portraits of this lovely shorebird.
Uinta Ground Squirrels of Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Uinta Ground Squirrels are the most plentiful mammals I see during the summer months in the Centennial Valley.
Wilson’s Phalarope And A Midge At Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
On my recent trip to Idaho and Montana I didn't have many opportunities with Wilson's Phalaropes except for one at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge's Lower Lake.
Field of Wildflowers and a Sandhill Crane in the Centennial Valley
I always think of Sandhill Cranes whenever my thoughts drift to the Centennial Valley of Montana where I always hear their calls, see them in the fields or in flight over the marshes.
The Demise of the Magical Sapsucker Tree and the Luck of Finding More Nesting Cavity Trees
I am heart-broken about losing the Magical Sapsucker Tree but I am glad to have found a few more where the chicks are thriving and are safe so far.
Wonderful Photo Session with a White-crowned Sparrow
Yesterday was bright and sunny in the Centennial Valley and after hearing this White-crowned Sparrow singing I felt like breaking out in song too.
Cassin’s Finches of the Centennial Valley of Montana
Cassin's Finch males look to me like they have been dipped in raspberry juice and that color is very vibrant especially in sweet light.
A Wet and Bedraggled Swainson’s Hawk
It was rainy yesterday evening in southwestern Montana and eastern Idaho but that didn't stop me from getting this image of a wet and bedraggled Swainson's Hawk in the Centennial Valley.
Moose Cow in the Targhee National Forest
Being in the right place at the right time can be awesome like last year being in the Targhee National Forest when a cow Moose and calf walked down a hill.
An American Oystercatcher’s running lift off
American Oystercatchers are one of my favorite shorebirds to photograph along the Gulf of Mexico because of their unusual appearance.
Pair Of Coyotes And The Healing Journey of One
Any day that I see a Coyote is a great one, seeing a pair of them it is even greater and yesterday I photographed a pair of coyotes I am very familiar with.
Female Yellow-headed Blackbirds
Female Yellow-headed Blackbirds are often overlooked by casual viewers and bird photographers because they aren't as flashy as the males.
Western Willets on Antelope Island
There are two subspecies of Willets in North America and during the breeding season in Utah the birds we see are the Western subspecies.
Willow Flycatcher on Antelope Island
Early last week while photographing Western Kingbirds I also had the opportunity to photograph a Willow Flycatcher that was hanging around the same area on Antelope Island State Park.
Mule Deer on the Parker Range
High up on the Parker Range there was a large stand of Quaking Aspen and just outside of the trees there was a Mule Deer grazing on the green grasses.
Pair of Greater Sage-Grouse on a June morning
It hasn't been a very birdy trip so far but I did photograph a pair of Greater Sage-Grouse yesterday morning that were close enough to take images of.
Wild Turkey Hen In The Dixie National Forest
Just a quick post this morning from Wayne County, Utah of a Wild Turkey hen I saw feeding near a small pond on the way up to Boulder Top yesterday.
Western Kingbirds On The Wing
I had fun photographing Western Kingbirds again yesterday on Antelope Island State Park and hours later I was still hearing their calls in my mind.
Growth of Bills in Long-billed Curlews
I thought a post on the growth of bills in Long-billed Curlews might interest some of my readers.
Killdeer in Flight Over Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
I have found trying to capture a Killdeer in flight a difficult endeavor because they fly fast and are hard to track but yesterday I did just that.
Greater Sage-Grouse Lek and News on Protections for the Grouse
Two months ago today I was photographing on a Greater Sage-Grouse lek in 21°F weather in Wayne County, Utah.
First year male Bullock’s Oriole
Earlier this week while photographing Western Kingbirds I also had opportunities to photograph a first year male Bullock's Oriole on Antelope Island State Park.
Loggerhead Shrike Fledglings are Out and About
On the 20th of May I saw my first of the year Loggerhead Shrike fledglings but it wasn't until the 24th that I was able to photograph this young shrike.
Western Kingbirds in All Kinds of Light
By the third or fourth visit to the area where the Western Kingbirds were located the sun was shining and the light was great. I felt like singing along with the kingbird to celebrate the clearing sky.
Singing Northern Mockingbird on Antelope Island
It was nice to photograph this Northern Mockingbird singing in between the clouds and rain yesterday on Antelope Island State Park.
Juvenile Western Meadowlark and the Great Salt Lake
I have already seen Sage Thrasher chicks on Antelope Island State Park and I suspect it won't be long before I see juvenile Western Meadowlarks learning how to fly and feed on their own.
Snowy Egrets on the Gulf Coast
I'm hoping to add images of Snowy Egrets to my portfolio this summer that might be taken at Farmington Bay WMA or up north at Bear River National Wildlife Refuge.
Mourning Dove in the Stansbury Mountains and a few bonus Short-Eared Owls
When I spotted this Mourning Dove perched on an old fence post in the morning light I couldn't resist photographing it.
Short-eared Owl photobombed by a butterfly
My only wish for this image is that the butterfly had been as sharply in focus as the Short-eared Owl was but with bird photography you never know what might show up in the frame.
Barred Owl at Lettuce Lake Park and a Precautionary Tale
We could have spent more time with this Barred Owl and it may have eventually moved to a better location for us to get photos but because of one person ticking off the owl we didn't get that chance.