Wishful Thinking
Two years ago I photographed this Rough-legged Hawk with a vole in its talons as it flew along the causeway to Antelope Island State Park with the Great Salt Lake in the background.
Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow foraging
Lately I have been seeing White-crowned Sparrows in the West Desert, at Farmington Bay WMA and Antelope Island State Park in increasing numbers and many of them will over winter here in the Salt Lake Valley.
Calliope Hummingbird and Rocky Mountain Bee Plant
Just a quick post this morning of a tiny Calliope Hummingbird feeding on Rocky Mountain Bee Plant that I photographed at the end of August.
Juvenile Burrowing Owl in Utah
Burrowing Owls are iconic birds of Antelope Island State Park, I can't tell you how many times people write to me and ask "Where can I see Burrowing Owls on Antelope Island State Park?".
It snowed in the Salt Lake Valley yesterday…
And it won't be long before I am photographing wildlife in drifts of snow and birds on perches covered in white.
Autumn Horned Lark
Summer has changed to autumn and the behaviors of the Horned Larks that have been seen through the summer but have been difficult to get close to.
Playing Favorites – Rough-legged Hawk
Rough-legged Hawks are on their way south from their Arctic breeding grounds and will soon be making their appearance here in Utah.
Red-tailed Hawk juveniles On the Wing
One of the juvenile Red-tailed Hawks I photographed on Antelope Island last year has "migrated" to Switzerland where my photo of it will be featured on a 5 x 15 meter sign for a yacht company.
Running in the snow
A Coyote's life isn't easy during the harsh winters of Utah but Coyotes that don't live on Antelope Island State Park have it even rougher
Pretty in Pink – Black-chinned Hummingbird
Well, I made it through another week. Bird photography has been slow down here in the valley but there are signs migration is picking up. There was a decided nip to the air yesterday morning and I saw some frost on the ground while heading towards Antelope Island.
Snow Stalker – Coyote
Something about seeing this Coyote gave me hope for the human race despite how humans have tried to eradicate them for North America because to me they symbolize resilience
Chukar in a field of white
I photographed this Chukar in a field of white undisturbed snow last January, as I recall it was bitter cold that morning but the bright sun seemed to warm the Chukar as much as it warmed my hands.
Female Black-chinned Hummingbird
After looking at these images that I took last Friday I am wondering if this hummingbird that I photographed is a female Broad-tailed Hummingbird.
Two Generations Of Coyotes
A few days ago after photographing hummingbirds on Antelope Island I spotted two Coyotes along the causeway, it was obvious from the start that one was an adult and one a young Coyote.
More Hummingbird images
Yesterday I went back to the island to see if I could photograph more hummingbirds and they did not disappoint so I thought I would share two more images of them.
Calliope Hummingbirds
I believe these are Calliope Hummingbirds but if I am wrong please do not hesitate to correct me, I don't get upset about things like that.
Coyote aka The Prairie Wolf
One of the nicknames for a Coyote is the "Prairie Wolf" and like wolves; they can be very efficient hunters.
An odd Pronghorn with two extra horns?
This image shows a side view of the Pronghorn buck's face with the two unusual horn growths shown protruding from its muzzle.
Mule Deer Doe Blur
When I spotted this Mule Deer doe standing in the golden light on the Antelope Island causeway I thought I would take a few static images of her but as soon as I stopped the doe began to run so I fired off a burst of shots as I panned her movement and knew they would be blurred
Ever Been Mobbed by Loggerhead Shrike juveniles?
Yes, I was mobbed by Loggerhead Shrikes and I didn't mind a bit because it afforded me the opportunity to observe and photograph them up close and it was fascinating!
Barn Swallow on Antelope Island
I was able to photograph this Barn Swallow on Antelope Island yesterday as it rested on a rock and as I took images the swallow opened its bill for a few frames.
Four wonderful years in Utah
Four years ago today I woke up in Grand Island, Nebraska and drove west to arrive in Salt Lake City with my possessions in a U-Haul trailer.
Recently Fledged Loggerhead Shrike
It won't be long before these young Loggerhead Shrikes earn the name "Butcher Bird" by following their parents wing beats!
Ghosts of the Prairie – Mountain Plovers
On April 10th I spotted two Mountain Plovers on Antelope Island State Park after reporting it to the UBIRD birding list many birders and bird photographers sped to the island to see these birds which are a rarity in this area.
Horned Lark, Moth Mullein and Antelope Island
There are seasonal cycles on Antelope Island State park, winter turns to spring, spring to summer, summer to fall and fall to winter but there are also yearly cycles for the wildflowers that bloom on the island too.
Calling adult Loggerhead Shrike
Two days ago I posted a portrait of a juvenile Loggerhead Shrike that I had photographed on Antelope Island State Park, today I am posting an image of an adult Loggerhead Shrike taken a day after I photographed the young shrike.
Juvenile Loggerhead Shrike close up
Yesterday a family of Loggerhead Shrikes kept us busy for a bit as the juveniles begged the adults to feed them and the adults were hunting food to bring to the rather noisy youngsters on Antelope Island State Park.
Memories of a much cooler day
This is the 6th day of triple digits here and we have been breaking records nearly everyday. It is hot. Normally we are in the upper 80's this time of the year.
Sage Thrashers Aplenty
There are Sage Thrashers aplenty on Antelope Island State Park right now and they have been thrashing, dashing and singing their little hearts out the last three trips I have made out to the island.
And We Have Lift Off!
I wanted to share some bird lift off images today so I rounded up a few that showed different styles of lift offs.