This morning I feel a little like how this shrike must have felt just over a year ago. We finally have snow on the ground here in Salt Lake City!
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I welcome the snow but I don’t think this Loggerhead Shrike shared my enthusiasm for it last December on Antelope Island. The bird was all fluffed up to ward off the extreme cold and seemed to gloomily stare out over the frozen landscape.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Occasionally the shrike would look straight down as if to confirm that there really was nothing but that cold white stuff down there (though it may have been just looking for prey).
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Then it fluffed up until it almost looked like a black and white puffball and resignedly accepted its fate. For some reason these last two images aren’t quite as sharp as they should be but because they amused me I decided to keep them anyway.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
This photo of a coyote taken a little earlier on the same morning gives us a better idea of the conditions critters were facing. I don’t remember exactly how cold it was but it was truly frigid and I can almost hear my tires squeaking on the snow. It’s a challenge to “sneak up” on my photo subjects when they’re making that much noise.
Though we don’t have a lot of it I’m really excited about our snow this morning. It’s been a freakishly warm fall around here and among other things the Great Salt Lake is drying up (it’s surface area has shrunk by approximately 75% since 1988).
We need all the moisture we can get!
Ron
Like both the bird and the coyote as well as the sparkling snow.Hope you all get the moisture you need.We had snow in Alberta last month which thankfully went away but probably getting some more any day now, which is okay, because it is seasonal.
I feel for the little bird, but it made for some pretty pictures. And of course, love the Coyote.
Thank you, Jean.
It is the coyote which has won my heart this morning. Close competiton though.
Drought is a destructive force. Such a destructive force. I hope the necessary moisture arrives.
I thought of you yesterday, EC – knowing you’re in Australia and about to go into your summer. And wondering what your moisture situation is there as I remembered all the fires you had last year.
Parts of Oz have had more rain than usual. And floods. And we have already had fires. And homes have been lost. And habitat destroyed. Again.
I especially like the last picture of the shrike. He looks pretty irked to me. (Anthropomorphise much there, Marty?). And I always love a good coyote or wolf shot.
I was in Northern California last week for a conference and saw an unusual number of animals who had been hit by cars, including 4 coyotes on my way back down. More and more animals seem to be coming closer to human-inhabited areas as they look for ever-diminishing water and food supplies. The “newbies” don’t seem to be as adept at maneuvering around humans as those who’ve maybe grown up in more populated areas. I hardly ever see a coyote hit near me (it’s been years and years) and I’m in a fairly urban area, but with a large regional park, a river, and protected nature area close by.
I agree that it’s been a crazy warm fall. We had temps in the upper 80s/low 90s followed the next day by a 25-30 degree drop and pea soup fog. We’re supposed to get some cooler weather, but El Niño has been a bust for us (and our dead yard plants and filthy cars).
It sounds pretty gruesome where you are too, Marty. I wonder when/if it will all end.
Love the Shrike photos – they are such beautiful birds. Always happy to see a Coyote, too. Our highs have been in the low to mid 70s, but we’ve got a cold front finally coming in tonight. I hope that you all get enough snow to help replenish the Great Salt Lake somewhat. I don’t hold out a lot of hope for that given that our weather seems to be getting progressively warmer. But one can wish for good things…
It doesn’t hurt to wish, Susan. And hope…
EGADS! Seventy-five percent? YIKES! That’s pretty darn scary!
Love loggerheads…had one visit this morning along with a canyon wren…special morning! Again, just love your photography and commentary.
“Seventy-five percent? YIKES! That’s pretty darn scary”
Yup. The lake covered 3300 square miles in 1988. Today it covers 950 square miles. It’s only 29% of what it was 28 years ago!
75% since ’88!? That’s bad. Here in CA we’re nearly in our sixth year of drought, and we’re getting less and less snow in the mountains. But far too many tourists from back east can’t distinguish between native plants and dead ones, as we tend to get a lot of spiny or shriveled up shrubs in the hills around here.
Beautiful series too!
Levi
Thanks, Levi. The lake is only a shadow of it’s former self and the birds are really paying the price. I know you folks in CA have it even worse than we do.
Nice series.
Thanks, Patty.
Great shots, Ron. 🙂 I really like the coyote! We too have snow on the ground this morning – needed moisture as we’ve also had a VERY warm fall though have managed a bit of precip now and then.
Good, I’m glad you’re getting some moisture out of this too, Judy.
The Shrike is such a beautiful bird……and in looking at your coyote image, it seems to me that his /her legs look quite a bit longer than those I was used to seeing on coyotes in Arizona–
is it possible that snow country coyotes have evolved longer legs ? If so, I wonder if their paws are also broader ( coyote “snowshoes” ) ?
“is it possible that snow country coyotes have evolved longer legs?”
I’m not sure, Kris but that would be contrary to the general tendency of animals living in cold habitats to evolve shorter extremities as a heat conservation strategy.
The one of the bird peering down… LOL I know that feeling.
Me too, Arwen.
Love your photos of this wonderful Loggerhead Shrike – also known as a Raptor wannabe, Ron!! I have to admit that I left Michigan for Florida because of the snow (driving to work was a pain and sometimes dangerous). However, nothing is more beautiful than snow scenes like the ones you shared today. By the way, the “Owl Prowl” lecture was great. The Naturalist had brought a Great Horned Owl and a Screech Owl to show the range of sizes in owls. The Great Horned Owl’s reason for being non-releasable is an example of human stupidity. She was taken from it’s nest and raised by humans so that it now thinks it’s a human and not an Owl so can never be released – what a shame for this absolutely stunning owl to not be able to experience life in the wild!!! Loved dissecting the pellets too – someone’s pellet actually contained a full skull!! You’ve GOT to love Nature!!
Glad you enjoyed the lecture, Jo Ann. Yes, imprinted birds are generally unable to be released.
Great images Ron. Love the look the Coyote is giving your vehicle and you while it trots by!
I feel your water concern. Here in the East the drought is not as bad as what you all are experiencing, but our pond and lake levels have gone down considerably this summer and we are hoping and praying for winter snows.
Dick, I just read a report about the drastic drop in reservoir and lake levels in New Jersey. I fear it’s only the beginning…
Well, if we don’t get the snow they are predicting this winter, I’ll be doing a rain dance in April or sooner!!!!
Lovely images!
Thanks, Marie.