My Rare Upland Sandpiper Sighting in Utah
I got to find, point out, and photograph a rare Upland Sandpiper in Utah well out of its normal migration route and range, what a day. What a find
American Avocet Devouring a Tiny Crayfish
I was tickled to photograph this American Avocet as it fed but it wasn't until later that I knew it was devouring a tiny crayfish.
Red-naped Sapsucker Showing Its Tongue
I came across this image and realized that the Red-naped Sapsucker had its tongue stuck out and I hadn't noticed that before.
Young Short-eared Owls Calling, Begging and Lifting Off
I miss these young Short-eared Owls but I hope they are doing well and will return next year to breed and have young of their own.
Golden Eagle, Turkey Vultures Plus a Covey of Gray Partridges
I spent time in northern Utah yesterday and I was able to photograph a juvenile Golden Eagle, Turkey Vultures plus a covey of Gray Partridges.
Celebrating 100 Years of U.S. National Parks
Today marks the Centennial of our National Park Service and entry to our National Parks is free from August 24 through August 28 so that we can all enjoy the celebration.
Adult and Juvenile Ring-billed Gulls
It will take several molts before this immature Ring-billed Gull looks like an adult but by now, a year after it was photographed, this juvenile should look more like the adult.
Utah’s Smoke Filled Skies From Antelope Island – Inversions Can Be Worse
The smoke-filled valley is ugly so yesterday I photographed Utah's smoke filled skies from Antelope Island State Park.
Solitary Sandpiper at Bear River MBR – Not All Range Maps Are The Same
I photographed this Solitary Sandpiper two days ago at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and saw several more and I also photographed a pair of them the week before.
Post-breeding Season Aggressive Behavior in American Avocets Plus a Bonus Great Horned Owl
I am unable to find information on line about why this male American Avocet attacked the female so aggressively but I can say that it was fascinating to see and photograph it.
In The City For Too Long
Maybe I have the summer doldrums. I am not sure, but I know I will be glad to get back out shooting again.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act 100th Anniversary
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act has been monumentally successful and we need to insure that it continues and not allow the treaty to become weakened.
Roadside Short-eared Owl Female
I haven't been seeing the Short-eared Owls lately and that is most likely because their young are now on their own and they don't need to hunt as much because now they only need to feed themselves.
Eastern Kingbird Hawking Insects From A Fence In Northern Utah
Two days ago I was able to photograph an Eastern Kingbird hawking insects from a fence on my way out of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Male Eight-spotted Skimmers at Farmington Bay
A few days ago I discovered several male Eight-spotted Skimmers close to the edge of Glover Pond at Farmington Bay and was delighted to photograph these beautifully patterned Odonata.
Hungry Western Grebe Chick Begging To Be Fed
I was able to take several images of this hungry Western Grebe chick begging to be fed and laughed out loud when I saw this funny face through my view finder.
Western Grebe with Three Chicks with a Bonus Video
The sound you hear in the video is just one Western Grebe chick begging to be fed and it was loud even over the wind!
Sage Thrasher Portraits
Yesterday I had an immature Sage Thrasher get so close to me that I was able to take portraits of it as it perched out in the open.
Photographing Pelicans, Herons, Egrets and Geese in Flight in Rapidly Changing Light
I had a great deal of fun photographing the pelicans, herons, egrets and geese in flight in the rapidly changing light yesterday morning at Bear River MBR.
Swainson’s Hawk Pooping While Perched on a Fence Post
So what better image to end my week of published posts with than a Swainson's Hawk pooping while perched on a fence post in northern Utah? I can't think of one.
Bear River MBR Clark’s Grebe Portrait
This Clark's Grebe portrait shows the brilliant red eye, the smoothness of the sharp bill and tiny water droplets in the downy plumage of the grebe's face, crown and neck.
Male Black-necked Stilt near the auto loop at Bear River MBR
The Black-necked Stilt adults seem to be still keeping an eye on their young and that is what this male Black-necked Stilt was doing near the auto tour loop.
Fifteen Minutes with Sibling Burrowing Owl Juveniles
Yesterday morning I spent fifteen minutes with sibling Burrowing Owl juveniles in northern Utah not long after the sun came up and while there was still golden light.
Wasatch Mountain Range Chipmunk
It seemed like every where I looked I saw little chipmunks scurrying around on the ground and climbing in the scrub oaks that dot the western side of the Wasatch Mountains.
Nonbreeding American Avocet foraging at Bear River MBR
The American Avocets look a bit different now than they did earlier in the year because they are now in their paler, less colorful nonbreeding plumage.
Yawning Juvenile Burrowing Owl
I haven't posted a Burrowing Owl in a bit so I thought I would share this yawning juvenile Burrowing Owl that I photographed the beginning of July.
An Extreme Variation of Supplemental Plumage in an American White Pelican
Two days ago while on the auto tour loop at Bear River MBR an American White Pelican caught my eyes because of its unusually dark crown, nape, and neck plumage.
Adult American Bittern at Bear River NWR
The bird I was looking at wasn't a juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron at all, it was an adult American Bittern out in the open!
Adult Snowy Egret Hunting for Prey
I liked the crouched position of this Snowy Egret as it was about to strike the prey it was hunting and when it struck it did capture and eat the small fish.
Juvenile Black-crowned Night Herons at Bear River MBR
I saw plenty of birds yesterday including juvenile Black-crowned Night Herons at Bear River MBR every where I looked.