Adult Swainson’s Hawk in Golden Light
This image of a Swainson's Hawk in golden light was taken not long after the sun rose and I love how the light seems to make the hawk glow.
Female Short-eared Owl Stretching One Wing
I really liked this frame of the female Short-eared Owl stretching on a leaning fence post because of the eye contact, the view of her talons, fanned out tail and extended wing.
An Intriguing and Very Tame Northern Harrier
While I have been photographing Short-eared Owls in northern Utah I have come across this intriguing and very tame Northern Harrier over and over in the same location.
Warning – Swainson’s Hawks Ahead
One thing I know for certain is that when the weather clears I know I am going to head back up there. And I will probably think about the title of this post... Warning - Swainson's Hawks Ahead.
Rainy Day Red-tailed Hawk in Idaho
I photographed this rainy day Red-tailed Hawk in Clark County, Idaho last year as it perched on an old pole with glass insulators on it
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.
The Subdued Beauty of Mourning Doves
The subdued beauty of Mourning Doves is often overlooked especially if there are more colorful birds around but for me their beauty is undeniable.
Burrowing and Short-eared Owls in May – Satisfying my Owl Obsession
I am thoroughly enjoying photographing Burrowing and Short-eared Owls in May and satisfying my owl obsession.
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.
Short-eared Owls – Nomadic and Enchanting
This year I've seen far more Short-eared Owls in Utah than I have since I moved here in 2009 and I've been enjoying photographing these nomadic and enchanting owls for over a month.
Migrating House Wren at Bear River MBR
Last August I was a bit surprised to see a House Wren at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge from the auto tour loop around the marshes there.
The Day My Short-eared Owl Obsession Began
Six years ago today I photographed my first Short-eared Owl in low light at Bear River MBR and it was the day my obsession and fascination with these beautiful owls began.
Short-eared Owl Nictitating Membrane
This image shows a Short-eared Owl nictitating membrane that is partially exposed. The dark line near the center of the eye is the edge of the nictitating membrane.
Northern Utah Short-eared Owls
Yesterday it was the northern Utah Short-eared Owls that made me so very glad that I am a bird photographer and that for a little while I am part of their world.
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.
Cliff Swallow Nesting Season at Bear River MBR
More of the swallows will migrate to the refuge very soon and the Cliff Swallow nesting season will start.
Mountain Bluebird Plumage Development Stages
These images from different times of the year show Mountain Bluebird plumage development stages from not long after fledging to adulthood.
Chukars Above the Great Salt Lake
Both of these Chukars above the Great Salt Lake were photographed on the east side of Antelope Island State Park this month.
Great Blue Heron at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
These images of a Great Blue Heron at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge were taken last September on the auto tour route at the refuge.
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.
Merlin in Southwestern Montana
Last September I was able to observe and photograph a Merlin in southwestern Montana over a period of several days.
Juvenile Barn Swallow at Bear River MBR
Last year in mid August I photographed a very cooperative juvenile Barn Swallow at Bear River MBR and realized I hadn't posted any images of the bird or written about my encounter with it.
Turkey Vultures are Nature’s Clean Up Crew
Turkey Vultures are Nature's clean up crew. They consume road kill and other dead animals and and in doing so they clean up the messy stuff.
Western and Eastern Kingbird Juveniles
I feel fortunate that I am able to see and photograph both the Western and Eastern Kingbird juveniles here in northern Utah.
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.
Sage Thrasher in Golden Light
I didn't get to see Greater Sage Grouse on my recent trip to southern Utah but I did get a few brief looks at another sagebrush obligate when a single Sage Thrasher popped up into view.
Adult Golden Eagle Perched and in Flight
I was able to get a few images of a Golden Eagle yesterday morning as it perched on some huge, ancient boulders in early morning light.
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
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.