American Bison Dust Bath
The American Bison dust bath only lasted about one minute, I wish I could shower that fast some mornings!
Short-eared Owl Fledgling Barbed Wire Injury
Right after seeing the adult I also saw a fledgling Short-eared Eared Owl about 8 to 10 feet from the adult hung up on barbed wire.
Resting Double-crested Cormorant at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
I spent the morning at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge yesterday and one of the birds I photographed the most was this resting Double-crested Cormorant.
American White Pelican Flight Over Bear River MBR
One of my favorite things is to see is squadrons of American White Pelicans wheeling in the sky high overhead circling until they are out of sight.
Short-eared Owl Fledgling Parallaxing
This Short-eared Owl fledgling spent a lot of time looking at the vehicle on the far side of the road parallaxing with its head tilted or bobbing up and down.
Adult Burrowing Owl About to Lift Off
I was photographing this adult hoping to get it on lift off and in flight but looked away from my viewfinder to check my exposure exactly at the time it did lift off so I missed the shots.
Short-eared Owl Preening Session
I was able to see and photograph a long Short-eared Owl preening session where I could see the owl's ear canal, uropygial gland and some extremely interesting and twisted poses.
Female Short-eared Owl Stretching One Wing
I really liked this frame of the female Short-eared Owl stretching on a leaning fence post because of the eye contact, the view of her talons, fanned out tail and extended wing.
An Intriguing and Very Tame Northern Harrier
While I have been photographing Short-eared Owls in northern Utah I have come across this intriguing and very tame Northern Harrier over and over in the same location.
Fledgling Short-eared Owl in Tumbleweeds
How could I resist taking images of a fledgling Short-eared Owl in tumbleweeds? I just couldn't.
Low Light Female Short-eared Owl Blur
I know that blurs aren't everyone's cup of tea but I have grown quite fond of this beautiful, shaking, Short-eared Owl blur.
Warning – Swainson’s Hawks Ahead
One thing I know for certain is that when the weather clears I know I am going to head back up there. And I will probably think about the title of this post... Warning - Swainson's Hawks Ahead.
Northern Utah Short-eared Owl Chicks
It felt amazing to be alone with these northern Utah Short-eared Owl chicks for a few brief moments yesterday.
Nest Building Say’s Phoebe
I photographed a nest building Say's Phoebe trying to separate a clump of grass and mud, or perhaps bison manure, by holding it in its bill and beating it on the ground.
Two Snowy Egrets at Bear River MBR
When I photographed these two Snowy Egrets at Bear River MBR last August they were already through raising their young for the season.
Portrait of a Great Horned Owl Chick in a Hay Barn
This portrait of a Great Horned Owl chick in a hay barn might not have been taken in the most aesthetically pleasing location but I don't think the owlet gives a hoot about the rusty iron beams and corrugated metal walls.
Western Kingbird with a Hint of Black Mustard
Yesterday morning while in Box Elder County I was delighted to photograph a Western Kingbird with a Hint of Black Mustard in the background as it perched on a fence near the road.
Side lit Short-eared Owl Male
I liked this image of the side lit Short-eared Owl more than I thought I could.
Swainson’s Hawk Landing on the Rocks in Box Elder County
Five days ago I photographed this male Swainson's Hawk landing with his talons reaching out for the lichen covered rocks he was going to perch on.
The Subdued Beauty of Mourning Doves
The subdued beauty of Mourning Doves is often overlooked especially if there are more colorful birds around but for me their beauty is undeniable.
Burrowing and Short-eared Owls in May – Satisfying my Owl Obsession
I am thoroughly enjoying photographing Burrowing and Short-eared Owls in May and satisfying my owl obsession.
An Exceptionally Obliging Turkey Vulture in Box Elder County
I found an exceptionally obliging Turkey Vulture in Box Elder County warming up in the morning sun.
Short-eared Owls – Nomadic and Enchanting
This year I've seen far more Short-eared Owls in Utah than I have since I moved here in 2009 and I've been enjoying photographing these nomadic and enchanting owls for over a month.
Juvenile Burrowing Owl Balancing Act
I photographed this juvenile Burrowing Owl balancing act last year in northern Utah not long after the sun came up
Harlequin Faced Lark Sparrows
The harlequin faced Lark Sparrows are unique, easily identified and quite striking for sparrows which are known for being "little brown jobs".
Wet Chukar On Top Of A Lichen Covered Boulder
The first bird I photographed yesterday morning was a wet Chukar on top of a lichen covered boulder about the time the sun rose above the clouds and mountains to the east.
Back-brooding Western Grebes
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is a great location to consistently see back-brooding Western Grebes during the breeding season and it can be done easily from the auto tour loop.
Male Black-necked Stilt foraging at Bear River MBR
I took a series of images of this male Black-necked Stilt foraging in some very shallow water that showed the red of his eyes and those long, long legs.
Migrating House Wren at Bear River MBR
Last August I was a bit surprised to see a House Wren at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge from the auto tour loop around the marshes there.
Flying Northern Harrier in a Post-defecation Pose
So just as I focus on the on the bird he decides to defecate in flight and my image shows the Northern Harrier in a post-defecation pose.