Rough-legged Hawk perched on a stump
The first great opportunity I had with them this year was this male Rough-legged Hawk perched on a stump at Bear River National Wildlife Refuge in Box Elder County.
Clark’s Grebe and its prey
Earlier this year I photographed this Clark's Grebe and its prey at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in northern Utah.
Redhead Hen on the Bear River
I photographed this Redhead hen yesterday morning at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge as she floated on the Bear River.
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and A Marsh Wren
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge looks beautiful this time of the year so I took a few images of it with my cell phone and a short video when I was there two days ago.
Mule Deer buck in rut at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Yesterday I found a Mule Deer buck in rut following a doe in the marsh next to the Bear River at Bear River National Wildlife Refuge.
Male Rough-legged Hawk in the marsh next to the Bear River
One good bird can "make" a trip and yesterday a male Rough-legged Hawk made my trip to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge worthwhile.
Waiting for the Shot – Black-crowned Night Heron
On the first of September I was at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge when I spotted a Black-crowned Night Heron hidden in the phragmites.
Autumn Red-winged Blackbird at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Last week I photographed this male Red-winged Blackbird on the top of a cattail from the side of the road. I was only able to get a few images before this blackbird flew away.
Cooler Weather on the Horizon
We've still been having record breaking high temperatures here in northern Utah but the forecast shows some cooler weather is about to arrive. I'm glad. It is about time.
They Might Be Common But I Love Coots
Both American Coots and Western Grebes have fascinating red eyes, interesting bills and black & white plumage.
Greater Scaup drake in Autumn
Last autumn I was able to get up close to a drake Greater Scaup at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and I'm hoping that I see more of them this year.
What is in the background of an image can enhance or distract
In bird photography what is in the background can enhance or distract the eye from the main subject.
American Pipits
American Pipits were known for a long time as Water Pipits because they feed at the edge of tundra puddles and wet alpine meadows.
I need to get a grip – Really I do on my Nikon D810
Yesterday I noticed that the rubber grip on my Nikon D810 memory card door has loosened up on a camera that is only 13 months old.
Redhead Drake at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
The Redheads at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge are getting closer to being in their breeding plumage which they normally show from October through June.
Fishing American White Pelican at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
This American White Pelican image was taken in July near the auto tour loop at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and I like how it shows the pelican fishing for food.
Drake Mallards in Breeding and Eclipse Plumage
Yesterday at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge I was able to photograph a Mallard drake as it lifted off from the water on the south side of the auto tour loop.
Welcome September…
The first day of September signals to me that cooler weather is arriving so I took a look back at some of the images I have taken in September from 2008 on.
Adult Virginia Rail And Its Reflection
I am always thrilled when a Virginia Rail comes out into the open because typically they are shy, secretive marsh birds.
Rough-legged Hawk and thoughts about the upcoming winter
I came across this image of a male Rough-legged Hawk taken this past February and it caused me to wonder what this upcoming winter will be like.
Western Grebe with a feather on its bill
Two days ago at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge I found a couple of Western Grebes preening in an area where the reflections on the water are always wonderful so I took a series of images.
Smokey skies and a Great Blue Heron in flight
On a clear day this Great Blue Heron image would have shown the Promontory Mountains in the distant background instead of the dull gray seen here.
An Injured Long-tailed Weasel and a Snowy Egret Entangled in Rope
And this one of the Long-tailed Weasel at the side of the road that shows its face, dark eyes and cute rounded ears but it also shows that the weasel appears to be injured on the left of its nose.
Western Grebes And Their Young At Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
There were plenty of Western Grebes to be seen and photographed yesterday morning at Bear River National Wildlife Refuge and I took tons of images of them.
Western Grebe in early morning, smokey light
This Western Grebe was preening and flapping on the Bear River in that glowing, smokey light not long after dawn.
Virginia Rails at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Virginia Rails are secretive marsh birds that can be found at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge during the breeding season and the can be very difficult to see let alone photograph.
It is Getting Duckier at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Over the past couple of weeks I have noticed that Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is getting duckier. I am seeing more ducks in the water and flying over head now than I had in July.
Western Grebe Portrait
A few days ago a Western Grebe popped up from under the water very close to me and I was able to take a quick series of portraits of it before it moved away.
Bear River and a juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron
In my post yesterday I mentioned that the Snowy Egrets that I photographed at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge were avoiding a juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron, this is that heron.
Flurry of Snowies in August
There was lots of bird activity yesterday at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and a flurry of Snowy Egrets kept things interesting early in the morning.