Wintry Start To 2020
So... 2020 has arrived and for me here in northern Utah that has brought gray skies, falling snow, low light, plenty of clouds and wintry weather.
Winter Ring-billed Gull In A Whiteout
The light was low, big flakes of snow were falling and the ice was covered in fluffy snow so that allowed me to take photos of a few birds that looked like they were posed on a blank, white canvas.
2019 Is Nearing Its End
2019 is nearing its end and I've been going back through the photos that I've taken this year. Wow, what a year it has been for my bird photography and so much more.
Hay Bales And Wild Turkeys
The best chance I had of getting some frame filling images of birds was when I spotted a small flock of Wild Turkeys on top of some hay bales at a ranch.
December Snow Goose
Usually by this time in December I've seen at least one Snow Goose to photograph but so far this year I haven't found one yet.
Dreaming Of A Great Horned Owl
Anyone who knows me at all knows that I think about birds a lot. I think about birds in the morning, at noon, before the sun goes down and I even dream about them at night.
Ferruginous Hawks in Utah
Knowing what kind of habitat Ferruginous Hawks prefer during all four seasons here in northern Utah can increase the chances of finding them year round.
Christmas Morning Snowfall
It is still dark here in northern Utah but I can tell there is some fresh snow on the ground so I guess that makes this a white Christmas even if the white stuff melts before the sun comes up over the mountains.
Happy Holidays 2019
Wherever you are, whatever holidays you celebrate if you celebrate at all, I wish you joy, peace and hope that you will feel the love of your family and friends today and every day.
Time For Winter Bald Eagle Photography In Northern Utah
So if you don't enjoy the craziness that can happen at Farmington Bay WMA when the Bald Eagles arrive for the winter just pick an area and go for a relaxed drive to another location.
Will There Be Snow Here On Christmas Day?
Looking at the extended forecast I see indications that it might snow here on Christmas Day.
An Immature Rough-legged Hawk Hunting For Prey At Bear River MBR
Two days ago when I stopped counting Rough-legged Hawks while at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge the number had topped out at fifteen.
Split Second Eye Contact With An Immature Northern Harrier
Two frames later the immature Northern Harrier tilted its head, looked directly towards my lens, and seemed to eyeball me and my gear.
California Gull With Eyes That Look Like Snowflake Obsidian
It has been three years and one day since I took photos of a California Gull that had eyes that looked like snowflake obsidian.
Hen Mallard In Fresh Snow
This post is about this pretty little Mallard hen walking in the fresh snow that fell during the night two days ago.
Female American Kestrel On A Crabapple Tree Near The Jordan River
I was delighted when I spotted this female American Kestrel perched high on a crabapple tree next to a road near the Jordan River and pleased that she stuck around for a few photos.
I Should Have Listened To My Instincts Yesterday
I might have taken some wonderful photos of birds in nice light yesterday if I had only listened to my instincts and gone out to look for birds.
Great Blue Heron In Winter Snow
On that bright winter afternoon one of my best avian subjects was this Great Blue Heron standing in water with a bank of fresh, white snow behind it.
Winter American Coot Close Up
When the American Coots come close to me I am also able to take portraits of them that show their red eyes and their ivory colored bills with their reddish-brown frontal shields.
Portrait Of An Adult White-crowned Sparrow Eating Greasewood Seeds
When I look at this White-crowned Sparrow portrait I can count the orbital feathers of the bottom portion of the bird's eye and the rictal bristles near the bill.
Drake Common Goldeneye In Flight During The “Golden Hour”
I'm grateful when I can photograph a drake Common Goldeneye in flight during the "Golden Hour" or any other bird I see through my viewfinder.
Focusing On Winter Redheads
Why were the mallards sticking close to this Redhead? That was because she was diving down into the pond and bringing up aquatic vegetation to feed on and the mallards were stealing bits of it from her.
Drake Hooded Merganser Photos
Yesterday started off dreary but later in the afternoon I was able to get out in the field and I had a blast taking photos of a spiffy drake Hooded Merganser for a little while.
Killdeer Coping With A Snow Storm
Birds that we might think are too delicate to survive the freezing temps, howling winds and driving snow can and do surprise us with their strength and tenacity.
Snowy Great Egret
I was thrilled to have this big, white wading bird where I could take photos of it in what was on that day a winter wonderland.
Immature Cooper’s Hawk Appearing Just A Bit Goofy
Sometimes raptors can look deadly serious and intense, especially when they are watching, diving on or consuming prey but they can appear to look a little goofy too.
Common Mergansers – What’s In A Name?
Sometimes I wonder how birds get their names, especially the birds with "Common" in their names such as Common Mergansers.
Song Sparrows In The Marsh Of Farmington Bay
I probably see Song Sparrows more often and in more habitats than any other sparrow species here in Utah. I am delighted by that.
Visions Of Tundra Swans
I need to get to Bear River MBR soon because I have visions of Tundra Swans drifting through my mind and I'd love to see them in person on the marshes of the refuge again.
When Snow Covers The Mountains
When winter snow closes off my access to the mountains that I love to visit to find birds I find that it makes me feel wistful because I will miss the birds and the calmness I find up there.