Rough-legged Hawk, Lichens and Snow
When I photographed this Rough-legged Hawk on a snow and lichen covered rock the light was decent and brought out the colors of the hawk and the orange lichen covering the rocky outcropping it was perched on.
Peregrine Falcon in the Snow – My Best Find of the Day
My best find of the day was a Peregrine Falcon in the snow perched on a colorful boulder with a snowy background.
American Kestrel With Prey On A Snowy Winter Day
The American Kestrel was perched on an arching wild rose branch with prey in his bill when I photographed him with snow covered ice and the Wasatch Mountains in the background
Rough-legged Hawk on a Designated Parking Sign
Many of the birds here in the Salt Lake Valley find a place to roost in the evening and overnight frost begins to accumulate on their feathers like it did on this Rough-legged Hawk on a parking sign.
Wild versus Captive Birds in Photography – Keeping it Real, Keeping it Honest
I've made it clear on my post about Galileo and in this post about Goose that they are education birds and in my photo galleries I have included this symbol (C) to indicate they are captive birds.
Pale-chested American Kestrel – Variability in the Underparts of Male American Kestrels
The male American Kestrel caught my eye immediately because he has such a pale chest that the spots on his chest stood out like tiny black jewels set in a field of snow white.
Prairie Falcon with Prey in Box Elder County, Utah (Graphic)
The Prairie Falcon I photographed had prey and that may be why it was less skittish. I have no idea what the prey is but it is larger than a vole and had fur not feathers.
Photographing a Red-tailed Hawk at Farmington Bay
Almost three years ago today I spent time photographing a Red-tailed Hawk at Farmington Bay that was hunting in a snowy field while using a nest box as a perch to watch for prey.
My Visit with Galileo the Short-eared Owl at HawkWatch International
Galileo will be an education bird at HawkWatch International and he will help show people, young and old, in class rooms and community centers the importance of having owls and other raptors in our environment.
Funny Rough-legged Hawk – Preserving, Nurturing and Expressing a Sense of Humor
I think this Rough-legged Hawk has read one too many hysterical Tweets lately. I know I have.
Frustrations of Bird Photography at Below Freezing Temps – Heat Waves Suck
Every single image I took yesterday was way softer than they would have been had it not been for those heat waves coming up the side of the pickup. To say I was disappointed is putting it lightly.
First year Red-tailed Hawk Close Up in a Snow Storm
This first year Red-tailed Hawk close up in the snow storm was a reminder of how much our birds and wildlife have to struggle to get through the harsh winter.
Meet Galileo – The Short-eared Owl Who Soon Graduates to Education Bird
Nancy Blech Matro, outgoing Hawkwatch International Board Chair, contacted me yesterday to share news with me about Galileo the Short-eared Owl I had a small part in rescuing.
Immature Prairie Falcon At Sunrise Next To The Great Salt Lake
The bird that started my day was an immature Prairie Falcon at sunrise next to the Great Salt Lake and as the sun started to rise the falcon seemed to glow.
Juvenile Red-tailed Hawks – Photographing Raptors Near Interstates
There are natural perches along the access roads right next to the interstate and if I am lucky I can find raptors perched there on occasion too.
2000 Posts about Birds, Wildlife and Nature at On The Wing Photography
Today I am celebrating having published 2000 posts on birds, wildlife and nature at On The Wing Photography and sharing the stories behind the images along with the journeys I take to find my subjects.
Interesting Ferruginous Hawk Horizontal Take Off – It Made Me Laugh
I have to say that when I viewed this image on my monitor of the Ferruginous Hawk taking off from the power pole yesterday that I laughed out loud.
Partially Leucistic Adult Red-tailed Hawk in Flight – A Rare and Wonderful Sight!
When the partially leucistic Red-tailed Hawk lifted off from the power pole I was able to capture photos of it in flight and I was stunned by the beauty of the hawk, pictures do not do this bird justice.
Looking For Peregrine Falcons On The Shore Of The Great Salt Lake
This time of the year I start looking for Peregrine Falcons to show up near the shoreline of the Great Salt Lake because of the high numbers of ducks that are usually there.
American Kestrel Landing With A Grasshopper
I was able take one image of the American Kestrel landing with a grasshopper in his bill that was sharp and that I liked.
Wintry Barn Owl Flight
Earlier this year in January I was able to photograph a Barn Owl in flight flying directly towards me with the snowy Promontory Mountains in the background while at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Red-tailed Hawk Fluttering Its Wings
When I took this image of a Red-tailed Hawk fluttering its wings on a pole in Box Elder County earlier this month I didn't think I'd like it and I am still not sure if I do.
My First of the Season Rough-legged Hawks
I went to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge yesterday hoping to see and photograph my first of the season Tundra Swans and Rough-legged Hawks, I dipped on the swans but found at least 5 of the hawks.
West Desert Red-tailed Hawk Under Gray, Blustery Skies
I didn't think I'd like this photo of a perched Red-tailed Hawk under gray, blustery skies but I do
Birds of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge – Celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week
This is National Wildlife Refuge Week and in celebration I wanted to do a pictorial essay that includes some of my images of the Birds of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Burrowing Owls of Northern Utah
It might be a long drive in the wee hours of the morning to get to where these Burrowing Owls are in northern Utah during the breeding season but they are worth it
Sub-adult Red-tailed Hawk in Flight in Evening Light
This photo shows the sub-adult Red-tailed Hawk in flight in the glow of the evening light just a split second after it had lifted off from a perch further away.
Esther the Eaglet – Cover Photo
I like that Esther the Eaglet is written with children in mind and that it might inspire the children who read it to become rehabilitators, biologists, ornithologists, nature lovers, birders, environmentalists or even bird photographers like myself.
Red-tailed Hawk Nesting Maintenance Behavior in the Fall
I enjoyed seeing the Red-tailed Hawks yesterday and observing their nesting maintenance behavior in the Fall, I don't see it very often so it makes it special to me.
Autumn Swainson’s Hawk
Mid-morning I found a perched intermediate morph Swainson's Hawk in Box Elder County and was delighted when it didn't fly off immediately.