Friday Photos – Yes, another Rough-legged Hawk
I can relate to the hawk in a way, just like it doesn't always get the prey it is intent on, I don't always get the shots I want.
Double Delight and an Observation – Great Horned Owls
I'm excited that two Great Horned Owls are using the same roosting location on Antelope Island.
Rough-legged Hawk Preening
Last week though I had the opportunity to photograph a very cooperative Rough-legged Hawk preening.
More Rough-legged Hawks
I have been very pleased to add so many images of Rough-legged Hawks to my portfolio in just the past week and hopefully these Roughies will stick around until late February of next year so there will be many more opportunities.
Rough-legged Hawks
Eureka! The Rough-legged Hawks are back from their high subarctic and Arctic breeding grounds and they seem to be showing up in larger numbers than I have seen them since I moved to Utah.
Great Horned Owl – Tiger of the Sky
My favorite name for Great Horned Owls is "The Tiger of the Sky" and it is very descriptive of this large, fierce owl.
Ferruginous Hawk – A Regal Raptor
Ferruginous Hawks are the largest hawks found in North America, the "regalis" in the latin name means "kingly" or "regal" and I have to agree with those descriptions.
Taking a look back on a few previous Autumn Birds
Photographing birds during Autumn is a wonderful time for me in Utah, the beautiful fall colors delight and enthrall me, the air gets nippy and I find myself feeling a surge of energy whenever I am outdoors.
Friday Photos – Short-eared Owl in Glacier County, Montana
I am always looking for the unexpected birds to show up in locations where I might not expect them them to be and this Short-eared Owl was a bit of a nice surprise.
Barn Owls on Antelope Island
I really, really, really wish these young Barn Owls had been perched on something that looked more natural than old bent metal with droppings all over it
Friday Photos – Short-eared Owl
The grasses are beginning to turn golden with the summer heat, the Moth Mulleins are starting to bloom and the Great Salt Lake level is still rising from spring run off.
Northern Harrier in Low Light
I don't mind the motion blur in these images and because northern harriers hunt by looking down at the ground for their prey I was very happy to get eye contact in both frames.
Nesting Northern Harrier
Tt was the first time that I have ever seen a Northern Harrier building a nest. It more than made my day!
Barn Owl Delight
I had a delightful experience this past week in northern Utah with a Barn Owl (Tyto alba) that was flying along side the road that we were traveling on.
An amazing encounter…or two with a young Bald Eagle
I've found Bald Eagles difficult to approach most of the time which is why a long lens is often needed. But not this one year old bald eagle.
The Importance of Honest Self Critique in Bird Photography
I've enjoyed photography for a long time but for quite awhile I didn't understand the value or importance of honest self critique.
If only…
Taking the time to review my "bad images" strengthens me as a photographer.
Bald Eagle and Depth of Field
I believe these two eagle pictures illustrate what changes the depth of field settings can have on the appearance of an image.
Northern Harrier expelling a pellet
This Northern Harrier took about a minute to expel the pellet and I filled my buffer several times trying to catch all the action. The harrier appeared to be concentrating so hard on regurgitating the pellet that it nearly fell off of the fence.
Northern Harrier Wingtip Repair
There are times when I think an image might be worth a little extra work in post processing and this young male Northern Harrier image seemed worth the effort to repair a clipped wingtip.
Short-eared Owl In A Fog
I hope to find some Short-eared Owls this winter in Utah, I think that some snow would make for a lovely setting for these delightful & enchanting birds.
Northern Harrier – Gray Ghost
I will have more opportunities with northern harriers in better light this winter and while I wouldn't consider this image perfect, I am happy with the results I obtained while photographing this "Gray Ghost".
Adult Burrowing Owls
I felt it was time to put the beauty of the adult Burrowing Owls in the limelight.
Great Horned Owl Chick – Angles and Backgrounds
The photographs I have attached to this post are of the same Great Horned Owl fledgling, taken in the same location on the same morning.
Low Light Bird Images
What I appreciate a great deal about my avian photography is working with the light, not fighting it in the camera or in post processing, so I am presenting these images below as what they are, photos taken in low light.
Frost-covered American Barn Owl
This was taken on an early December morning, there was heavy, dismal fog and at times a light snow was falling. The hoar frost was still clinging to the feathers and the facial disc of the Barn Owl.