Drake Redhead Courtship Display
I'm glad that I made the trip down to the pond because I was able to photograph a drake Redhead exhibiting courtship display behavior several times as he tried to impress the hen that was nearby.
Drake Common Goldeneye Courtship Display in Low Light
Because I had noticed the Common Goldeneye drake's behavior I was able to photograph him as he assumed the Head-throw posture.
Scarlet Skimmer Dragonflies – Other Things With Wings
Scarlet Skimmer dragonflies were one of the dragonfly species I spent time stalking in Florida because I loved the bright red coloration of the males and the golden colors of the females.
Snowy High Key Mallard Drake Portrait
My favorite image of the day was this high key Mallard drake portrait that was taken in the late afternoon which was the only time I could see the sun behind the clouds the whole day.
Photographing American Wigeon Drakes in Afternoon and Low Light
I like how both these two American Wigeon photos turned out even though they were taken in different lighting conditions, they are both pleasing to my eye.
Mallard Drake in Flight in Salt Lake County
I locked on to one of the mallard drakes and when he flew past I was able to take some nice photos of him before he landed on the water
American Wigeon Pair In Northern Utah
I wonder how long this pair of American Wigeons will hang around, I hope it is long enough for me to see more green iridescence on the drake's head and long enough for me to take more images of them.
Drake Common Merganser In Flight In Northern Utah
One of the drake Common Mergansers I saw yesterday flew over the pond and past me close enough for me to take two photos of it up close in the late evening light.
Mallards In Flight In Golden Afternoon Light
Photographing the Mallards in flight in golden afternoon light was a terrific way to end my bird photography session for the evening.
Urban Birds – California Quail at a Local Park
It isn't uncommon to see California Quail crossing sidewalks, roads and trails in the city and this photo reminded me of how well this species has adapted to living in urban areas.
Focusing On Male Common Goldeneyes
I spent fifty-five minutes primarily focusing on male Common Goldeneyes yesterday afternoon and I am very happy with the images I took of these beautiful diving ducks.
Common Goldeneyes in Northern Utah
The number of birds in a specific location can increase and decrease substantially from one day to the next and that happened with Common Goldeneyes at my local pond in northern Utah when their numbers increased considerably.
Female and Male American Kestrel Comparison
I've seen people struggle with seeing the differences between male and female American Kestrels and I hope this simple comparison will help.
Winter Views of California Quail in Northern Utah
I was able to photograph several California Quail in snow yesterday in Davis County, Utah and I was also able to listen to at least one male calling.
Perched male Red-naped Sapsucker in Idaho’s Targhee National Forest
This Red-naped Sapsucker was perched on a dead aspen branch near the nesting cavity where I photographed a chick being fed by the adults in mid July.
Male Rough-legged Hawk In Flight Over Box Elder County, Utah
For several weeks now Rough-legged Hawks have been migrating into northern Utah and showing up in locations where I have photographed them for years.
Drake Mallards Bathing and Splashing
After bathing the Mallards lift up, flap their wings and shake the water off and I have also noticed them repeat the process of bathing several times in succession. Bathe, shake, flap.
Winter Redhead Drakes in Northern Utah
Redhead drakes are more colorful than the hens and I always enjoy having them in my viewfinder because of their cinnamon colored heads, their bright orange eyes and their tri-colored bills.
Autumn Brewer’s Blackbirds
I always have fun photographing Brewer's Blackbirds even though they are a challenge to expose properly, it is precisely that challenge that keeps me on my toes.
Juvenile Red-winged Blackbird Male Diving Towards The Ground
The plumage of male juvenile Red-winged Blackbirds is highly variable during their first year, some of the young blackbirds can look like females and some can look more like adult males.
Northern Utah Mule Deer
These two Mule Deer were photographed in different settings, different lighting situations but about the same time of the morning and I find them both appealing.
Photographing a Dynasty of Ruby-crowned Kinglets
Yesterday I saw so many Ruby-crowned Kinglets in northern Utah that it was impossible for me to keep up with them, I am certain I missed some excellent images because of that.
Frustrations in Bird Photography – Belted Kingfisher with Branches in the Way
I never did get any decent shots of the Belted Kingfisher yesterday but I am glad to know he is back at the pond and that I should have more opportunities with him... if nothing gets in the way.
Male Belted Kingfisher in Winter at Farmington Bay WMA
Belted Kingfishers are year round residents in northern Utah but my best opportunities to photograph them at Farmington Bay WMA are during the winter.
Winter Common Mergansers – A Visual Break From The Summer Heat
Back in February there was still snow on the ground, ice on the water and Common Mergansers were at Farmington Bay WMA and some were sporting their breeding plumage.
Landing Drake Mallard
I don't often have the opportunity of taking photos of ducks that are flying straight at me while coming in for a landing which is exactly what this drake mallard did.
Short-eared Owl On An Old Juniper Fence Post
I loved taking photos of birds on those old fence posts like this male Short-eared Owl that was looking down to the ground for prey.
Male Black-necked Stilt Watching Over His Offspring At Bear River MBR
Thousands upon thousands of Black-necked Stilts make the marshes at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in northern Utah their home during their breeding season.
Time for Antelope Island’s SpiderFest!
Today is the day for SpiderFest on Antelope Island State Park, a celebration of the interesting spiders that live on the island.
Intruding Red-naped Sapsucker – Or Just A Curious Bird?
I do not believe that this bird was one of the pair of adult Red-naped Sapsuckers I photographed feeding the chick in the nesting cavity, his bib and breast markings were different from the other adult birds.