Quiet Morning Spent with the Birds of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
I headed up to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge yesterday morning and I am very glad I did because of the wonderful birds I saw.
Addressing A Strange Comment
Anyone who has worked on their own web site that allows comments knows that there are times you get a strange comment that make you scratch your head.
American Coots – Big Foot Birds
Early in January I was able to photograph a few American Coots as they walked on ice at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management area and marveled again at how big their feet are.
One serious looking Coot
Yes, I am being slightly anthropomorphic but this is one serious looking Coot.
An American Coot munching on food
American Coots are common birds and some folks might find them fairly plain but I like them and enjoy photographing them too.
Juvenile dark morph Harlan’s Hawk
Harlan's Hawks are a subspecies of Red-tailed Hawks that breed in Alaska and northern Canada and spend their winters in the northern Great Plains.
Head angles – Less than perfect head angles can be compelling
I believe that even without what some may consider "the perfect head angle" that we can create interesting and compelling avian images.
Slew of Old Coots
"Crazy Old Coot" is a term that many of us know and associate with a foolish person, especially an old man.
As Spring Approaches
As Spring Approaches it is a Great Time to be a Bird Photographer in Utah!
The Advantages of Photographing Birds Close to Home
Many beginning photographers dream of taking images in far off places of exotic birds and there is nothing wrong with that. But we shouldn’t overlook the advantages of photographing birds close to home.
D.W.B.
I wanted to post a funny bird image today because I have the D.W.B. so I selected this American Coot that was scratching in a pond near where I live in Salt Lake County, Utah.
American Coot on a cold winter day
American Coots aren't thought of as "gorgeous" birds but I do find them appealing and a challenge to expose properly because of the high contrast between the very dark feathers and the whiteness of the ivory colored bill.
Harlan’s Hawk juvenile with an American Coot (Graphic)
I haven't had many opportunities to photograph the Harlan's subspecies of the Red-tailed Hawk so I was thrilled yesterday when I spotted a juvenile dark morph Harlan's Hawk feeding on a dead American Coot on the bank of a creek.
American Coots on a cold winter day
Looking at the huge lobed feet of American Coots is enough to make me laugh. Yesterday I just could not resist these birds.
Three years ago today when it was actually Winter
Three years ago today though the ground was covered in drifts of snow, the temps were below freezing, there was ice on the ponds & lakes and there was a sharp briskness to the air that can only be found in winter.
American Coots on Thin Ice
The temps are dropping here in the Salt Lake Valley, two days ago it was below freezing when we went out shooting. Winter brings challenges and birds we don't see during the summer so I am excited about that.
The Morning Mist at Red Rock Lakes NWR
I don't have much time to post today but I wanted to share a few photos taken this week of the mists at the Lower Lake of Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Montana. Red Rock Lakes NWR is an incredibly wild and beautiful location that has stolen a piece of my heart.
Whoops – American Coot on Thin Ice
Some images are simply too funny not to share. Even with those huge feet this American Coot (Fulica americana) couldn't stay in top of the ice at a pond near where I live in Salt Lake County, Utah.
American Coots – Birds to Rail About
American Coots are the most widely distributed members of the Rail family in North America and are very abundant in habitats with open water.