Winter Loggerhead Shrike: A Species In Decline
Due to extended gray, cloudy weather and not getting out into the field I dug into my archives and today I am sharing a photo of a winter Loggerhead Shrike.
Loggerhead Shrike Population Decline Concerns
About two weeks ago I found an adult Loggerhead Shrike perched on a lichen covered rock in northern Utah a good distance from the road that I was on.
Loggerhead Shrike At Bear River MBR
On my last trip up to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge I found this Loggerhead Shrike perched on a twig near the end of the auto tour loop.
Loggerhead Shrike On A Wild Rose In Front of The Dying Great Salt Lake
Had I taken these Loggerhead Shrike photos four to five years ago the background wouldn't have been dry lake bed. It would have shown water. Precious, life-giving water.
Autumn Loggerhead Shrike
This adult Loggerhead Shrike perched on a Fragrant Sumac was among the birds that I found yesterday morning way up in northern Utah.
Loggerhead Shrike On A Witness Post
Earlier this week while looking through older photos I came across this Loggerhead Shrike perched on a Witness Post image and I chuckled out loud.
Adult And Immature Loggerhead Shrikes
If I can find a protective head net that actually works I might just venture back out onto the island after the no-see-ums come out because I miss photographing nesting Loggerhead Shrikes.
Loggerhead Shrike Allofeeding Courtship Behavior Plus a Close Up
The Loggerhead Shrike did fly in and brought prey to feed the presumed female, during the mating season the males will allofeed the females as part of their courtship behavior. I've never been able to photograph allofeeding behavior before so I was tickled pink.
Lark Sparrow & Loggerhead Shrike in Northern Utah
This beautiful little Lark Sparrow was so busy singing that it was a very cooperative subject and I took quite a few images of it as it sang and changed positions on the gnarly old fence post.
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.
Two Loggerhead Shrike Juveniles On A Log
These two Loggerhead Shrike juveniles on a log were photographed last August on Antelope Island and were probably from a second brood.
Loggerhead Shrikes – Different Backgrounds and Light
Both of these Loggerhead Shrikes were photographed on Antelope Island State Park, both of them are adults, both were photographed when the sky was clear and both were perched on a dead twig of a greasewood but they were also photographed with different backgrounds, different times of the morning and different light.
Portrait of a wet juvenile Loggerhead Shrike
After a rainy summer day there were puddles on the dirt roads of Antelope Island State Park and this juvenile Loggerhead Shrike took advantage of a puddle and bathed.
Juvenile Loggerhead Shrike on a Tintic Quartzite Boulder
Antelope Island State Park is full of juvenile Loggerhead Shrikes right now so it looks like the shrikes had a very successful nesting season.
Loggerhead Shrike Fledglings are Out and About
On the 20th of May I saw my first of the year Loggerhead Shrike fledglings but it wasn't until the 24th that I was able to photograph this young shrike.
Making the most out of low light conditions
The last bird I photographed was this male Belted Kingfisher and I was surprised that it stuck around as long as it did.
Photobombed by a bird and a bug
When taking any photograph it is possible to be photobombed and I have had my share of those including these two bird images.
Six-pack of Birds
It was delightful to have light and a six-pack (plus) of birds out on Antelope Island yesterday to test my new Nikon D7100.
Loggerhead Shrikes and a few things that bug them
This morning while Antelope Island there was a Loggerhead Shrike perched on a dead branch that was near the north shoreline of the Great Salt Lake.
Loggerhead Shrikes are calling on Antelope Island
Last year about this time I wrote a post complaining about Loggerhead Shrikes being MIA but this year I don't have that complaint because I am seeing and hearing these "Butcherbirds" on Antelope Island.
Ever Been Mobbed by Loggerhead Shrike juveniles?
Yes, I was mobbed by Loggerhead Shrikes and I didn't mind a bit because it afforded me the opportunity to observe and photograph them up close and it was fascinating!
Recently Fledged Loggerhead Shrike
It won't be long before these young Loggerhead Shrikes earn the name "Butcher Bird" by following their parents wing beats!
Calling adult Loggerhead Shrike
Two days ago I posted a portrait of a juvenile Loggerhead Shrike that I had photographed on Antelope Island State Park, today I am posting an image of an adult Loggerhead Shrike taken a day after I photographed the young shrike.
Juvenile Loggerhead Shrike close up
Yesterday a family of Loggerhead Shrikes kept us busy for a bit as the juveniles begged the adults to feed them and the adults were hunting food to bring to the rather noisy youngsters on Antelope Island State Park.
Today on On the Wing Photography
Who knew that one day my photos would be in a book published by National Geographic? I am truly honored.
Loggerhead Shrikes – They are MIA
I'm used to seeing Loggerhead Shrikes all year round here in northern Utah but they have been MIA for quite some time.
Loggerhead Shrike in Winter
This Loggerhead Shrike was one of the few birds I photographed yesterday on Antelope Island before the Prairie Falcon with a Northern Shoveler as prey that I posted yesterday.
Cooperative Loggerhead Shrike juvenile
From all appearances it has been a great nesting season for the Loggerhead Shrikes on Antelope Island State Park, it seems everywhere I look there are numerous juvenile Shrikes perched on bushes near rather harried looking adults.
Loggerhead Shrike and its prey
A few weeks ago I was able to photograph a Loggerhead Shrike near the marina on Antelope Island State Park, Utah. It was an interesting experience for several reasons.
Loggerhead Shrike perched on Moth Mullein
I've been seeing more and more Loggerhead Shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus) pairing up the past week or so which means it won't be long before they are on their nests.