Bird photography is difficult enough without the added aggravation of hordes of biting insects.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this Western Meadowlark at takeoff yesterday morning on Antelope Island. I like the simplicity of the image that includes only the small, bare perch, a clean, creamy and graded background and the meadowlark ascending into the air. The side light may not have universal appeal but it works for me.
But I spent so much time swatting at clouds of biting gnats that I was lucky to get any sharp shots at all. They’re so small that they’re barely visible to the naked eye (thus their other name – “no-seeums”) and they get in your eyes, ears, scalp and anywhere else available to them. And the nasty little buggers bite!
Like mosquitoes only the female bites because she needs a blood meal to produce eggs. But unlike mosquitoes they don’t puncture the skin with their proboscis – instead they cut it open with scissor-like mandibles, squirt a chemical on the wound to prevent clotting and then suck up the resulting pool of blood. The bites aren’t painful when they occur but they can burn and itch for days afterward – those bites are completely out of proportion to the diminutive size of the gnats. The symptoms last longer in some people than they do in others.
And there’s not much you can do to thwart them if they’re around. Insect sprays are largely ineffective against them, although I find they do help a little when freshly applied. I try to keep as much of my skin covered as possible but as tiny as they are they can still bite through a shirt. Fine mesh head nets are effective in keeping them away from your face and scalp but they’re impractical for photography and spotting birds while driving.
And humans aren’t the only creatures tormented by no-seeums on the island.
Bison are so bothered by gnats that when they’re not actively grazing they spend significant amounts of time far out on the sandy mudflats of the receding Great Salt Lake where there are no gnats. I photographed this group yesterday morning as the gnats were biting me mercilessly. I was sorely tempted to walk out and join the bison.
For those familiar with the island that’s Ladyfinger Point in the middle background.
When you see bison out on the mudflats they’re typically not going anywhere – they simply stand in place or lie down (or roll in the mud/sand to scratch bites and cover themselves with a protective layer) and enjoy their freedom from the gnats.
For me the only saving grace of those damned gnats is that they keep the crowds down on the island. Less traffic means less interference with my photography – fewer birds flushed by passing vehicles. That’s selfish of me I know, but so be it…
But the gnats are a big price to pay for relative solitude. Thankfully they’ll disappear when it gets hot.
Ron
PS – Perhaps some readers would appreciate someone else’s perspective on a visit to the island during gnat season. Here’s a link to a well-written blog post about a visit to the island by some full time RV’ers. Not only does it describe their experience with the gnats but it also provides an excellent overview of the island experience. Since I post bird photos from there so often I thought some regular readers might have the interest.
Permetherin
Ron, I went birding in Guyana last year and one of the trip participants, after having been “eaten alive’ in Brazil the previous year,recommended soaking alll of our clothes in Permetherin
So, I saoked enerything: pants, shirts, underware, bandanas, hat,pack, socks….you get the idea. I had no problem.
It’s the same chemical as in the various “Bug Off” clothing. You can buy the liquid, maybe $25 on line, soak some clothes and see how it works. One soaking supposed to last at least 10 washings.
Lots of info on line.
SUE
I actually found humor in this post and I’m thankful because yesterday I was so negatively affected by the presence of a Gnat but of the human kind. My boyfriend’s uncle stopped by for a visit and his last name is actually Gnat, although it’s pronounced Guh-not. He seems to always say something hurtful which makes him get into my head and then I am driven away. I would just like to swat him to make him go away, then my heart would sing like a beautiful meadowlark.
Evidently all good things come with a price of intermittent bloodletting. 🙂 Thanks for sharing yours! Love all these photos and I’m just as depressed and distressed at the gutting of environmental legislation and the ongoing short-shightedness (blindness) of our species. If we were as smart and advanced as we think we are…well…never mind.
Gorgeous shots! And cheers so much for linking our blog post of the area. We still remember Antelope fondly…despite those darn biting insects. It’s quite the special place.
Nina
Thank you, Nina. I loved your post and it was so well done I had to browse through more of your site. I’m an RV’er too (though not full time) so I found it very interesting. I really envy your lifestyle (mostly…) 🙂
Thanks for braving the no see us and sharing these wonderful shots Ron!
Charlotte
I checked out the link…like the way that Nina writes…would love to live that life..but with 4 feet and 12 paws…and many, many large leaf bags full of yellow hair…..
The attitude toward the Bear River and that amazing lake is so terribly shortsighted, sad, demoralizing and enraging…all at the same time! There seems to be a headlong dive away from environmental understanding and responsibility that’s almost suicidal…maybe “almost” isn’t the right word….
I agree with you, Patty. I try not to think about it too much because it’s so depressing.
The photo of that beautiful meadowlark taking off is pure elegance. The birds are so graceful, and their color is outstanding. Add that to their beautiful singing, and you have a winner. There are times I wish I could get the song along with the photo – without using video. I hate those aggressive insects. They can take the pleasure out of most anything. I don’t have any suggestions as to how to deal with them. They must serve a purpose in Mother Nature’s world, but I have yet to find it.
“They must serve a purpose in Mother Nature’s world, but I have yet to find it.”
I’ve had similar thoughts, Jane. I guess they’re part of the food chain but thanks to them, so are we…
Loved your post today, Ron (duh – when DON’T I??!!) I read everything including the shared blog. I TOTALLY emphasize with you about the attack of the “no-seeums”!!! I love to work in our yard in SE FL but HATE those little gnats that want to get in all my orifaces!! Thank God they don’t bite but like you when you are trying to use your camera, it’s very hard to see what your doing when these little buggers are trying to get in my eyes, nose and ears – ugh!! Your meadowlark capture is beautiful (leaving the descriptive wording to Patty – can’t beat her beautiful use of words) and also loved the addition of the local bisons – so special!! Now today’s blog did cause me to think of a request – I’d love to see some photos of your trip into the Antelope Island to get a more complete picture of your Happy spot – just a suggestion!!
Thanks, Jo Ann. I’ll definitely keep that in mind for a future post.
Such a beautiful shot of the meadowlark, Ron. When I first heard them sing in the Badlands, I couldn’t imagine what the bird looked like that produced such a lovely melody. Now I do. Thank you.
Yup, they’re as pretty as they sound, Elizabeth. Thank you.
Sad to hear the gnats are out in force already. I was thinking of loading my bike up and going out to Antelope Island Sunday. I love being out on the trails alone in the spring. The new growth, flowers, bird song, the blue sky with beautiful fluffy clouds we get at the tail end of spring storms are my idea of paradise. I guess every paradise has it’s pitfalls. I will have to look into the bug shirt too.
April, as long as you stay on your bike and keep going you might not be bothered by the gnats. They’re not too bad on some areas of the island but they’re terrible in other places.
Thanks for the tip, but I haven’t figured out how to photograph birds while on a moving bike.
Hi Ron, enjoyed your lark pic. In case you haven’t tried them yet, I’d suggest you look at what I call bug shirts. I’ve used the in MN – which has a wide variety of biting bugs – with good results. Look at LL Bean site And search for “Bug Shirt”. They carry a variety of them. I get a size or two larger than normal, in Tall, if possible. That allows me to pull up the back of the collar and cover most of my head but still have access to my camera. Not perfect protection but I find it helps quite a bit. Enjoy your work
Thanks for the tip, Bill. I’ll definitely check it out.
Beautiful shot!! I understand why he’s “taking off” with the gnats!!
I had the unfortunate experience to be visited by the gnats in Arizona. Of course I didn’t know I was being visited until a day or so later when the horrid itching began. I spent two sleepless nights trying to find some comfort. My husband amused himself by counting the 74 bites from my knees down!! I will tell you that I found nothing that relieved the itching and I tried everything…..that included toothpaste!!
But back to your gorgeous shot. I love seeing these birds underbellies closeup. All new perspective for me.
Thanks for another beauty…….Oh, and another memory. My shins are starting to itch…….:)
“Oh, and another memory. My shins are starting to itch”
That made me laugh, Carol. And I know what you mean – my bites from yesterday got itchier just thinking about gnats as I was writing this post.
Memories of days and nights gone by even though when out in the middle of the lake was fine, camping at night was miserable. Paid my dues on that one!!
Love your pictures and blog. However, question – will the Great Salt Lake be affected by any kind of snowpack? Will there be any kind of support against draining the lake?
So sad to see the shoreline and the lake bottom in your shots.
Thanks for sharing.
Dick, traditionally the lake levels have gone up from several years of good snowpack melt (the floods of ’83 were a good example of that). But so much water is now being taken out of the feeder rivers for agriculture and industry before it reaches the lake that we don’t see significant increases in water level even after spring melt in the mountains. A sad situation…
Do you see any political resolution? I can’t believe the state will allow the lake to die?
No, I don’t. Just the opposite, actually. They’ve now decided to take even MORE water out of the Bear River before it reaches the lake. All our politicians care about is growth and the almighty dollar.
Lots of locals don’t even like the lake – it takes up a lot of space, sometimes it smells and they just don’t give a damn how much all the birds need it.
Thanks, I can’t print what I’m thinking and saying out loud to myself, sorry!!!!!!
Love that take off shot…the feather pattern on the right wing are especially interesting…image somehow reminds me of a Flamenco dancer flaring her skirt out…those gnasty gnats are similar to our tormentors, blackflies. They bite, inject something that liquifies, then sucks the “liqiuified” tissue out…itches like holy heck for days afterwards. I feel sorry for those poor bison and crazy photographers….but surecappreciate the efforts of the latter…..
“Crazy photographers” – you’ve certainly got that right, Patty. To think that I expose myself to those nasty gnats voluntarily…
Great photos, Ron, and thanks for the blog link. Not only does it have a great post on Antelope Island but also a host of other camping and RVing info.
Larry, I’ve been exploring that blog in more detail too. Pretty interesting!
Beautiful shot of the Meadowlark – like the Bison too and their solution to the “no-seeums” :)Those biting gnats are no fun – fortunately, we don’t get them often. The blog on Antelope Island is good also – can see why you love it for photography purposes.
I adore the island, Judy – as is evidenced by the fact that I visit it often even during the gnat season.
Hi Ron—-so sorry about the gnat torture–BUT, thanks for the link to the RVr’s blog. What an inspiration ! If only I were about 20 years younger !
That sounds like an interesting lifestyle, doesn’t it, Kris? I’ve daydreamed about doing it myself.