Barn Owls on Antelope Island
I really, really, really wish these young Barn Owls had been perched on something that looked more natural than old bent metal with droppings all over it
Chukars of Antelope Island – Throughout the Year
Photographs of the Chukars on Antelope Island State Park, Utah throughout the year.
Shorebirds: Long-billed Curlew juvenile
Sometimes I just feel so lucky being a bird photographer. Not only do I get to be outside in nature when I am photographing, but I get nice surprises too like when this Long-billed Curlew juvenile approached near enough to get head shots of it.
Friday Photos – Long-billed Curlews
The juvenile Long-billed Curlew was foraging and preening in the vegetation on the ground below the adult perched on the boulder
Short-eared Owls – An interesting surprise
Soon after that I saw the shape of a larger bird near where the Coyote had gone into the sagebrush which turned out to be an adult Short-eared Owl.
Friday Photos – Short-eared Owl
The grasses are beginning to turn golden with the summer heat, the Moth Mulleins are starting to bloom and the Great Salt Lake level is still rising from spring run off.
Cute Coyote Pup
The coyote pup followed after the parent but stopped in the road long enough for a few close up photos.
Black-billed Magpie juveniles
Adults have black eyes, the Black-billed Magpie juveniles have blue, gray or even violet eyes.
Bison Bull Dust Bath
I think it is amazing to see a huge Bison; weighing up to and over 2200 pounds, rolling around on the ground with apparent ease.
Killdeer and Willets – Territorial Disputes
One of the habits I have developed after becoming a serious bird photographer is observing and learning about bird behavior and the habitats
Friday Photos: A Friendly Swainson’s Hawk
Last Friday I came upon this Swainson's Hawk; not just once but twice, perched on signs very close to the road.
A Shrike Kind Of Day
There are days when I see a certain species of birds quite often, depending on location it might be an Eagle filled day, or a Shorebird day. Today was a Shrike kind of day on Antelope Island State Park.
Antelope Island gnats are back
I hereby put the millions of biting gnats on Antelope Island on notice: No matter how many times you break through my insect repellent shield, I am still going to photograph birds on Antelope Island.
Pronghorn buck with misshapen horns
I am just happy to have seen the Pronghorn buck with misshapen horns again and for coming home with better photos of it for my files.
Black-tailed Jackrabbit – A Hare nervous?
The Black-tailed Jackrabbit arched its back while still keeping an eye on me and I thought the arched back looked very similar to a domestic cat when it gets riled up or frightened about something.
Antelope Island State Park – Spring’s Awakening
I've spent a few days out on Antelope Island State Park this past week and from all appearances spring is making its debut.
Barn Owl Delight
I had a delightful experience this past week in northern Utah with a Barn Owl (Tyto alba) that was flying along side the road that we were traveling on.
Argh.. don’t turn!! – Male American Kestrel in flight with a vole
Male American Kestrel in flight with a vole chased off by an appraoching vehicle
My Wish List
Some women wish for diamonds, some men wish for fast cars while young children might wish for a pony or a trip to Disney. Me? I wish for birds. Pretty simple, huh?
Burrowing Owls – Loved to Death?
What made me sick was that there were three of those people tromping around the owl's burrow. I mean RIGHT up on it. They had no need to be that close but they were.
Coyote on the shore of the Great Salt Lake
This Coyote still has its winter coat but before long it will shed it for the sleeker summer coat.
Antelope Island Loggerhead Shrikes
Last week I wrote that I was looking forward to the birds that arrive here in the spring and yesterday I was able to photograph some of the Loggerhead Shrikes that I mentioned.
Black-billed Magpie building a nest after a snow
I felt that I had a real treat being able to photograph this Black-billed Magpie building a nest after a snow.
Chukar calling in the snow
I was tickled to get this Chukar calling in the snow near the parking area of Frary Peak trailhead with the snow-covered mountain in the background.
Coming Soon to a view near U(tah)
These are just a small selection of the cast and characters of the upcoming Spring Season
Side lit Coyotes
Yesterday I was tickled to spot not just one but a pair of coyotes on the causeway going to Antelope Island State Park
Northern Shovelers blasting off
This morning when we had almost reached Antelope Island I spotted a huge flock of Northern Shovelers blasting off from the water
So ya think ya want to be a bird photographer?
Be prepared to become addicted to birds. You will have withdrawals if you don't shoot often enough, your shutter button finger will develop a nervous twitch
Northern & Loggerhead Shrikes
Today was a good day, I finally took some images of a Northern Shrike (Lanius excubitor) that weren't taken from too far away.
Hidden Treasures
As a bird photographer I often strive for images where the subjects are out in the open, without distractions in the fore or background, but as with any photographic "rule", they are made to be broken.