Clark’s and Western Grebes Return to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
I'm happy that the Clark's and Western Grebes have returned for their breeding season at the refuge and I look forward to photographing them while they are here.
Sandhill Cranes Plus Views of Flooded Marshes at Bear River MBR
I saw and photographed a mated pair of Sandhill Cranes yesterday morning in the marsh from the auto tour loop and watched them search for food.
Western Meadowlarks Are Very Active Right Now – They Know Spring Has Arrived
Western Meadowlarks are very active right now on the island, searching for insects, scurrying through the grasses and singing their hearts out from their favorite perches.
Female Belted Kingfisher Looking For And Catching Prey
I took several hundred images of a female Belted Kingfisher looking for and catching prey while it was bright and sunny yesterday afternoon.
Cooper’s Hawk Takes Flight in Northern Utah
The Cooper's Hawk took flight without much warning at all and for a second I lost it while tracking the hawk but regained focus as it flew south past me.
I Adore Sandhill Cranes
Even though I can't see them with my eyes as I write this I can imagine Sandhill Cranes waiting for the first rays of the sun to reach the marshes where they spent the night.
Male Horned Lark Territorial Behaviors – Tit-for-tat Chases
The most interesting activities I saw yesterday were territorial behaviors and chases between two male Horned Larks in an open area of the park.
Young Burrowing Owl on a Post in Morning Light
Two years ago in July I photographed this young Burrowing Owl on a post in morning light and I relaxed and let a smile form on my lips.
Revisiting The Mercur Canyon Rock Squirrel
While up in Mercur Canyon I caught a flash of browns and grays on top of a rock and realized I was seeing the Rock Squirrel I photographed on the same slope last month.
Black-billed Magpie on the Rocks of Antelope Island
When I found a Black-billed Magpie on the rocks close to the road below Frary Peak I was happy to photograph it there.
Winter Clashes With Spring – Seasonal Changes Make Bird Photography Interesting
Winter is clashing with spring right now in northern Utah and those seasonal changes can make bird photography interesting.
Perched Golden Eagle in Northern Utah
Two days ago this Golden Eagle was perched on a rocky outcrop but because of a blind spot I didn't see it quite soon enough but at least I was able to get a few decent images of it.
Yellow-bellied Marmot in a Crevice with Lichen Covered Rocks
I am very fond of Yellow-bellied Marmots so when I spotted one clambering down some rocks into a crevice close to the road I became excited and as soon as I could I started taking photos of it.
I’m Itching To Hit The Road To Go Camping – Spring Wanderlust
As the weather warms up I admit that I'm itching to hit the road to go camping, to get away from the city, the news and to immerse myself in natural surroundings.
Listening for Long-billed Curlews
The first of March always makes me think of and listen for Long-billed Curlews, our largest shorebird of North America.
My Burrowing Owl Fascination – It Never Ends
I'm drawn to and fascinated by these western desert Burrowing Owls because they are beautiful, interesting and animated subjects. And they are pretty darn cute!
Flooding at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge – Road Closure
I am anxious to get out to the Bear River MBR auto tour loop of the refuge to see what migrants have flown in but right now that isn't possible and there isn't any information on when the road will open again
Nomadic Short-eared Owls
Short-eared Owls are nomadic because they follow their main prey which is voles and if the vole population is low the Short-eared Owl density will also be low.
Greater Yellowlegs in Florida and Utah
I expect to see Greater Yellowlegs soon because they are one of the first shorebirds to migrate through Utah on their way to their breeding grounds.
Double-crested Cormorant and American Coot in a Snow Storm
It was my photos of a Double-crested Cormorant and American Coot in the snow storm that touched me the most even though both birds are small in the frame.
Western Grebe Family at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
When I came across this Western Grebe family image that I took at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge I knew this was an image that made me think of spring.
Showcasing Manky Mallard Portraits – They Are Oddly Beautiful
Some people might call these manky mallards homely, weird or even downright ugly but I prefer thinking of them as oddly beautiful and believe they are worthy of being showcased once in a while.
Comparing Common Gallinules and American Coots
Common Gallinules and American Coots are both from the Rallidae family and there are some similarities in their appearance, for instance both have a triangular bill with a frontal shield at the top.
Listening for Marsh Wren Songs – Sounds of Early Spring
I will be listening for the male Marsh Wrens songs at the pond nearby and the marshes at Farmington Bay WMA and Bear River MBR and waiting to see them pop up on top of the cattails, phrags and rushes.
American White Pelicans, Sandhill Cranes, Swainson’s Hawks – Spring Migrants On The Wing
We still have our winter birds and the spring migrants have begun their journey north so my bird photography is likely to pick up and get exciting soon if the clouds will give me a break.
Coyote Running On The Ice Of The Great Salt Lake
I was excited and delighted to spot and photograph a coyote running on the ice of the Great Salt Lake a few days ago in the golden light just after dawn.
Portraits of Bison Bulls Drinking From An Iced Over Puddle
These portraits of bison bulls drinking from an iced over puddle were taken with my Nikon D500, my 500mm VR lens with a teleconverter attached from inside a vehicle.
Pied-billed Grebes in Flight – Rare Sight to See & Photograph
Yesterday afternoon I was at my local pond where I photographed not one but two Pied-billed Grebes in flight. This is rarely seen and rarely photographed.
Peregrine Falcon Stretching Sessions
I spent forty-one minutes observing and photographing this Peregrine Falcon yesterday while it rested, preened and stretched right next to the Great Salt Lake.
Mercur Canyon Rock Squirrel
I didn't have much luck at all with birds yesterday in the west desert canyons but I did spot and photograph a Rock Squirrel in Mercur Canyon.