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
Red-tailed Hawk lifting off from a nest in Box Elder County
When I photographed this Red-tailed Hawk lifting off from the nest it was in mid-April and I don't believe they had laid their eggs yet.
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.
Juvenile Loggerhead Shrike with a Robber Fly
When I took this image the juvenile Loggerhead Shrike was perched on a dead twig when the robber fly flew into the frame, the shrike took off after the fly and caught it in mid air.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
Lark Sparrow Facts
I thought I would share a few Lark Sparrow facts, a sound recording and of course an image of a Lark Sparrow on the ground.
First Spring Northern Harrier in Box Elder County
I was able to take quite a few images of a very cooperative first spring Northern Harrier that was perched on an old post next to the road in Box Elder County.
Adult Box Elder County Yellow-bellied Marmot
I was able to take images of a Box Elder County Yellow-bellied Marmot further south next to the road near the foothills of the Promontory Mountains.
Adult Western Kingbird Close Up
This adult Western Kingbird close up was photographed two years ago on Antelope Island State Park as it perched on a sign post close to a nest site.
West Desert Horned Lark in Golden Light
This West Desert Horned Lark in golden light was taken in the foothills of the Stansbury Mountains of Tooele County on a clear morning last month.
Short-eared Owl in Tooele County, Utah
It has been a while since I photographed this Short-eared Owl in Tooele County at the James W. Fitzgerald WMA
Western Bluebirds in Tooele County
Seeing these uncommon Western Bluebirds in Tooele County in the Stansbury Mountain Range yesterday is part of why I love bird photography so much.
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay in Ophir Canyon
A couple Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays in Ophir Canyon Road in Tooele County were the most cooperative of the jays that I found.
An Adult Sage Thrasher with Prey on Public Land
This adult Sage Thrasher with prey was photographed on public lands in Tooele County in one of the canyons of the Stansbury Mountains last July.
Turkey Vulture in Box Elder County – Nature’s Picker Uppers
When I photographed this Turkey Vulture in Box Elder County last summer it flew from the post it had been perched on and landed a bit further away where it quickly began cleaning its bill
Red-tailed Hawks Near The Promontory Mountains
Yesterday I spent the morning in Box Elder County driving along the Promontory Mountain Range and Red-tailed Hawks were the most numerous raptors I saw.
Juvenile Lark Sparrow on Antelope Island
I don't often have the opportunity to photograph young Lark Sparrows so I jumped at the chance last Saturday when I saw this one on Antelope Island State Park.
It is tough being a bird photographer when it comes to Burrowing Owls
You might wonder why I think it is tough being a bird photographer when it comes to Burrowing Owls.
West Desert Wanderings – Thrashers and Hawks
I went wandering in the West Desert of Utah yesterday because the views are always great and because I hoped to find a few birds.
More Juvenile Burrowing Owls from Box Elder County
I think I could photograph juvenile Burrowing Owls for two months straight and not get bored with them.
Juvenile Burrowing Owls Do Change Their Spots
Leopards don't change their spots but juvenile Burrowing Owls do change their spots on their chests as they mature.
Burrowing Owls and American Robins – Nearly the same size but two very different birds
Burrowing Owls and American Robins are about the same size but they are two very different species of birds.
Adult Lark Sparrow with Prey
Lark Sparrows are the easiest sparrows to identify that inhabit Antelope Island State Park with their bold facial patterns and white edged tails.