There are always interesting things to see on the island, some anticipated and some not. Some welcome and some not.
1/1250, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF-S17-85mm @ 47mm
This was the scene at the White Rock Bay group campsite yesterday morning. In all my years on the island I’ve never seen it so jammed full of campers – to the point that tents had spilled out up the slope toward Buffalo Point. All of the other campsites in both campgrounds seemed to be full too. Selfishly, I dislike seeing this much activity on the island because of all the traffic and hubbub it brings. But I doubt that this type of scene will play out often, if at all, for much of the rest of the summer for one simple reason – the biting gnats (no-see-ums) are back!
Two days previously we were eaten alive by those little devils (there was a cold wind yesterday morning that kept them at bay). Their bites are absolutely miserable – they often burn, itch and weep fluid for days. They can become infected. They particularly like to bite the ears and unprotected areas near the hairline so I’m their perfect candidate because I have acres of ears and little hair!
The island tends to be busy during springtime before the gnats come out but once the word of their activity spreads folks stay away in droves which for me is the only upside to their presence. Insect spray is largely ineffective against them and many an unsuspecting camper’s time on the island has been ruined by them. There’s usually even a sign at the entrance station warning that entrance fees will not be refunded because of the presence of the gnats.
So if you’re planning a trip to Antelope Island soon, beware and come prepared. Wear long sleeves, long pants and a hat. Insect spray may or may not help. Insect netting around your head is effective but good luck with that if you’re a photographer! If you’re prone to allergic reactions to insect bites have some Benadryl handy. And if you’re so inclined, bring along your entire collection of favorite swear words. I call it “itchin’ and bitchin’ season” (among other even less polite monikers…).
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc
On a more pleasant note, the bison are beginning to calve! As calving season approaches, herds of pregnant cows wander off to more inaccessible areas of the island to have their calves which as of yesterday was just beginning. This herd of cows, almost a half-mile away from the road, had only about a half-dozen newborn calves (two can be seen here) but within a few days there should be dozens more. The youngsters are red and cute as a button and soon the cows will lead them closer to the roads where they’ll be accessible for photo ops – a welcome reward for the photographer having endured those damned gnats!
But the highlight of my trip to the island yesterday was an avian surprise.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc
A Merlin! I found this little falcon in the grasses perched on bison poop. It was on the “wrong” side of the road so I passed it, then turned around and approached it slowly. Knowing how skittish they are I figured it might fly off before I was able to stop so I fired off a few shots as I approached the bird. I was still moving when this one was taken as it watched me. I wasn’t very close to the bird (this image is a large crop) but I was pleasantly surprised by its sharpness given my moving photography platform and running engine. I’m sure the fast shutter speed had something to do with that.
I’ve seldom seen Merlins on the island and it’s even more unusual for me to photograph one there so I was happy to get the shot. I’m no authority on Merlin migration patterns and timing but I wonder if this falcon wasn’t a little bit late on its way north.
Ron
Thanks Ron! We saw this little Merlin and I could not ID. I was so happy to see your identification! Did you see the 25 curlews just past the guard gate on the farmington bay side of the causeway? I have never seen that many curlews in one area at one time. they were there from 10 – 3.
Hi Jaimi, Yes I’ve been seeing those curlews for several days now. There’s actually been more than that out there at times. Pretty neat!
Thanks for the info on the gnats. My friend and I were biking around the Great Salt Lake Sunday and we were bitten by the “no see-ums”and I was wondering if mosquito spray would work to keep them off.
Spray doesn’t work very well on them, April but I do think it helps a little when the spray is fresh so I put it on often.
Hey Ron, I’m no authority on Merlin migration either, but frequent sightings in SLC through the end of this month seem normal according to my field journal. The latest was May 26 last year, and this weekend I saw 4 around the city while checking kestrel boxes. Two were over by you: one on a transmission tower in the power line corridor at Bullion St., and one in Murray cemetery. Never seen one on the island though! Maybe only a matter of time before a pair sticks around and makes a go of it?
Mike, thanks very much for enlightening me on Merlin migration habits! And based on what you said I’ll be keeping a lookout for them in my Murray neighborhood. I’ve seen several of them on the island in the past but never got any decent shots there. I’ve had my best luck with them in Montana.
Allergic reactions to bites is me to an itching, scratching, swearing T. Sigh. Ants and mosquitoes particularly – to the extent that my partner uses me in lieu of insect spray. If I am with him, he doesn’t get bitten. We don’t have gnats in any quantity or no see-ums but I am confident they would love me.
I am very grateful that you braved the bugs, and the people (which I like even less than the bugs). Awed at your rewards. Your deserved rewards.
EC, Mia and I need you to ride along with us and attract the gnats so we can shoot in peace. How long will it take you to get here from Australia?
I knew I shouldn’t have admitted that. Leeches like me too. One sad day I collected over forty of the suckers – including one in my ear. My blood is obviously very alluring.
I used to love telling leech stories to my zoology students. Parasitic leeches (and worms) can really make kids squirm and we all had a lot of fun with it, learning all the while…
What a beautiful surprise that Merlin is! I’m glad that it and the bison could offset the first scene you posted. I find myself in conflict about people enjoying parks. I want them to, but I like parks much better when there are few people present…
” I find myself in conflict about people enjoying parks. I want them to, but I like parks much better when there are few people present…”
I feel EXACTLY the same way, Susan. I’m conflicted…
The Merlin’s expression is delightful! Almost “Pardon me. Do you have a map?”
Maybe the bird took a wrong turn on its trip and was asking exactly that, Arwen…
I would imagine the eyes, ears and noses of the Buffalo are vulnerable to those little, biting beaties…I’ve seen the ears of Buffalo, cattle and horses loaded with tiny insects…..
Patty, their ears and noses are often buzzing with larger flies in warm weather but I can’t tell about the gnats because they’re much too small to see from any distance (and difficult to see up close).
Most of the “camping” I’ve done has been at the end of a day of backpacking through mountains…very little has been done at “campgrounds”, designated camping sites or KOA’s…except for when I was traveling. It’s very different camping in a “herd” of other humans and setting up some place by yourself. That scene looks nightmarish to me. Gnats or no gnats.
I avoid camping in campgrounds too, Patty, for a whole slew of reasons.
Lovely bird, the falcon. I’m not a camper, but wondering how that could be fun – so many jammed into a Rubik’s Cube-like jungle. Thanks for sharing your work, Ron.
It’s not my type of camping either, Bill. Defeats the purpose IMO.
Hi Ron, you are getting superb captures with the 7DII, could you please share your preferred AF settings for flight shots, I’ll soon be upgrading from the 7D to the 7DII soon, & any tips would be great.
Thanks
Jimmy.
Jimmy, AF settings on the Mark II are complex, more so than on any other camera I’ve owned. Depending on the situation I’m all over the map with them. I’d suggest starting out with one of the “cases” (I usually use case 2), do some experimentation and find out what seems to work best for you.
Ron: Thanks again for your daily link. As for large crops still being sharp, my wife and I also have the Canon 7D Mark II and the new 100-400 IS II lens. Each has greatly improved the number of sharp shots we get. Love bird photography!
The Mark II is a great camera, IMO, Richard – especially for bird photographers.
Very nice shots. Question: How do the bison and calves deal with the Gnats? I would think calving season would be impossible with Gnats and no-see-ums, or is their hide too thick? Their nose and ears could be easy pickings.
Dick, As far as I can tell neither the calves or adults are particularly bothered by the gnats (like they are by larger biting flies). I suspect you’re right – their hide is too thick for the tiny gnats.