Adult Intermediate Morph Swainson’s Hawk
This Swainson's Hawk was right next to the road the entire time I photographed it and I was able to get a series of it it where the hawk nearly filled the frame from top to bottom.
Short-eared Owl Nictitating Membrane
This image shows a Short-eared Owl nictitating membrane that is partially exposed. The dark line near the center of the eye is the edge of the nictitating membrane.
First Spring Red-winged Blackbird Males
Yesterday at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge I was able to photograph several first spring Red-winged Blackbird males.
An Adult Forster’s Tern Hovering Over Prey
When I photographed this Forster's Tern hovering over prey there were several others in the area doing the same thing which makes it difficult to decide on which bird to photograph.
First Spring Northern Harrier in Box Elder County
I was able to take quite a few images of a very cooperative first spring Northern Harrier that was perched on an old post next to the road in Box Elder County.
More Owls, Turkey Vultures plus a Third Year Bald Eagle
I mentioned in my post about Short-eared Owls yesterday that I saw Burrowing Owls, Turkey Vultures and a third year Bald Eagle juvenile in northern Utah so I thought I would share a few more images form the northern Utah excursion.
Northern Utah Short-eared Owls
Yesterday it was the northern Utah Short-eared Owls that made me so very glad that I am a bird photographer and that for a little while I am part of their world.
Male Yellow-headed Blackbird Portrait
I was able to take this male Yellow-headed Blackbird portrait because the bird seemed more intent on catching midges than being nervous about me.
Great Blue Herons Expelling Bile? (Graphic)
I have only seen and photographed these two Great Blue Herons expelling bile in Florida and Utah. I wonder how often this occurs.
Adult Box Elder County Yellow-bellied Marmot
I was able to take images of a Box Elder County Yellow-bellied Marmot further south next to the road near the foothills of the Promontory Mountains.
Cliff Swallow Nesting Season at Bear River MBR
More of the swallows will migrate to the refuge very soon and the Cliff Swallow nesting season will start.
A First Day of Spring Western Grebe
I eagerly anticipate the birds that arrive with spring including an early spring Western Grebe who will soon be courting and rushing at the refuge.
A Dead D810 and a Killdeer in a burned area of Bear River MBR
After they burn the phragmites it doesn't take long for life to go back to normal for some of the birds like this Killdeer in a burned area.
Great Blue Heron at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
These images of a Great Blue Heron at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge were taken last September on the auto tour route at the refuge.
Juvenile Barn Swallow at Bear River MBR
Last year in mid August I photographed a very cooperative juvenile Barn Swallow at Bear River MBR and realized I hadn't posted any images of the bird or written about my encounter with it.
Turkey Vultures are Nature’s Clean Up Crew
Turkey Vultures are Nature's clean up crew. They consume road kill and other dead animals and and in doing so they clean up the messy stuff.
Western and Eastern Kingbird Juveniles
I feel fortunate that I am able to see and photograph both the Western and Eastern Kingbird juveniles here in northern Utah.
Marsh Wren Nesting Season Begins Soon
The males will start singing before too long and the Marsh Wren nesting season in Utah will begin.
Tundra Swans Lifting Off from Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Watching and photographing the Tundra Swans lifting off from Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge yesterday was slightly bittersweet for me because I know they will soon be heading north to mate.
Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron Stalking Prey
Last August I was able to spend time observing and photographing this juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron stalking prey at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Adult and juvenile White-faced Ibis
I thought a comparison of adult and juvenile White-faced Ibis might be interesting for those of you who aren't familiar with this western species of ibis.
I Went Looking for a Snowy Owl and Got Barn Owls in Flight
I went looking for a Snowy Owl and got Barn Owls in flight instead at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Bathing Common Merganser at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
There isn't much open water right now but in a few places where it is open it attracts waterfowl including this bathing Common Merganser male in breeding plumage.
Western Grebe in late Summer
I took this image of a Western Grebe in late Summer last year at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge when the marsh vegetation has started to turn gold and mornings had begun to feel crisp and invigorating.
Winter California Gull at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Ring-billed and California Gulls are the typical gulls I find in Utah so it wasn't much of a surprise to find this California Gull at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Bear River MBR Barn Owl on a Winter Morning
I spent about 15 minutes with this Barn Owl yesterday after I spotted it along the north side of the auto tour loop at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Winter Burrowing Owls on Antelope Island
It was the first of the winter Burrowing Owls I was to find yesterday while on Antelope Island State Park.
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and Beyond
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is a winter wonderland right now and although it is very quiet it is still teeming with life.
Resting Barn Owl in Box Elder County, Utah
On January 1st I spotted this resting Barn Owl on some hay bales not too far from the juvenile Red-tailed Hawk at the hot spring.
Turkey Vulture in Box Elder County – Nature’s Picker Uppers
When I photographed this Turkey Vulture in Box Elder County last summer it flew from the post it had been perched on and landed a bit further away where it quickly began cleaning its bill