Midges of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and beyond
Midges are an important food source for the birds that live and breed in the marshes and wetlands of Utah and they have recently begun to hatch.
Springtime Raven
Yesterday I was lucky enough to find and point out this springtime Raven perched in front of a field of pink Filaree, a wildflower from the Geranium family.
Northern Harriers in flight
Northern Harriers fascinate me partly because they are sexually dimorphic; meaning that the males and females look different even though they are the same species, and also because of their owl-like facial discs.
The Willets and Biting Gnats are back on Antelope Island
The Willets are moving into their nesting territory on Antelope Island State Park and I am excited about that. What I am not excited about is that the biting gnats (no-see-ums) are back too.
Mountain Plovers – Comparing two similar looking species
There are a few similar species that occur in Utah and surrounding states that could be confused with Mountain Plovers.
Burrowing Owl juvenile on a Sagebrush
I can't resist photographing Burrowing Owls, I just can't. They are so much fun to see and observe.
Simple Long-billed Curlew Post
This is just a simple Long-billed Curlew post with images I took not long before I discovered the Mountain Plovers on April 10th on Antelope Island State Park.
Yellow-headed Blackbirds Are Back In Numbers
Yellow-headed Blackbirds are filling the marshy areas of Utah with their odd mechanical calls once again as the males court the females for their annual spring fling.
Spring time Bison bull on Antelope Island State Park
The American Bison on Antelope Island are starting to show signs of shedding their winter coats and for awhile they will look a bit ratty.
Great Horned Owls and Horned Larks – Birds with Tufts
Great Horned Owls and Horned Larks are species of birds that have tufts that I photograph regularly here in Utah.
Male American Kestrel in low light
Male American Kestrel in low light
More Mountain Plover Images
I wanted to share a few more of the Mountain Plover images I took which are a lifer bird for me as well as being rare in Utah.
Mountain Plovers – A Dream Come True
What I saw through my lens was a Mountain Plover, a bird I have long dreamed of seeing. A rarity here in Utah.
A Lark, Or Two, Or Four
The only native true lark that lives and breeds in North America is the Horned Lark.
Today on On the Wing Photography
Who knew that one day my photos would be in a book published by National Geographic? I am truly honored.
Springtime Pronghorns on Antelope Island
These Pronghorn images were taken a few years ago during the spring and I thought I would share them this morning partly because the yellow flowers in these images; Gray's Biscuitroot, have just started to bloom this year.
Funny Monday Birds
Just some funny images of birds for a Monday. These photos just beg for humorous captions.
Seen and Heard – First of year Long-billed Curlew
When we stopped at one of the parking lots that overlooked Bridger Bay I heard a call that made me jump in my seat and before I could say "Long-billed Curlew!!" I could see the bird flying towards the grasses.
Photograph but don’t touch – Wildlife Ethics
I do hope that non-photographers and the general public know that behavior like this is an exception and that ethical photographers would not have gone up and petted the Sandhill Cranes.
Early Spring Chukar
Some times there is one bird that makes (or perhaps saves) a day, yesterday it was this Chukar for me. I can say I didn't get skunked!
Horned Lark in early spring
I photographed this male Horned Lark just two days ago and I'm tickled that I can see new growth of grasses in the frame.
Sounds of Spring – Western Meadowlark
Normally we have Western Meadowlarks year round here in the Salt Lake Valley but because this past winter was harsh it seemed that they moved south for a bit. They are back now and singing their songs of spring.
Side lit American Kestrel
I came across this American Kestrel image yesterday while moving images to a new external hard drive and realized I hadn't edited any of the photos in the series yet, so I did.
The Brine Fly Buffet begins on the Great Salt Lake
Yesterday while near the marina on Antelope Island State Park I spotted my first of the year Brine Flies warming up on some of the rocks in the water.
Iridescent colors of a Black-billed Magpie
Yesterday this Black-billed Magpie turned in flight while I was photographing it which allowed me a great dorsal view that showed the iridescent colors well.
Nesting time for Black-billed Magpies
There was a sharp, cold wind blowing from the north yesterday and before I was finished photographing these Black-billed Magpies my hands had gone numb.
Snow Geese on the shore of the Great Salt Lake
I'm hoping to go on a "Goose Chase" this morning, the sky is supposed to be clear so there should be good light and I would be delighted to see some snow, Snow Geese that is!
High key Ring-necked Pheasant hen
Just a simple high key image of a hen Ring-necked Pheasant this morning that was taken in January at Farmington Bay WMA in Davis County, Utah.
More Chukars In The Snow
Yes, more Chukars in the snow! I spotted this Chukar on top of a mound of snow that the plow had pushed to the side of the road on Antelope Island State Park.
High Key winter Geese, Swans and a Black-billed Magpie
Some people might not find high key photos to their tastes but I find that I enjoy them because of their simplicity and how the high key background allows my eyes to focus clearly on my subject's form and beauty.