A seasonal change of pace.
Winter has finally arrived in northern Utah and my world is truly white this morning. So I choose today to revert back to a summertime theme? If there’s any logic there I don’t know what it might be…
1/6400, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this family of Red-naped Sapsuckers last July near the border of southwest Montana and Idaho. They were within a campsite I’ve used many times over the years so they were truly acclimated to all the human hubbub such a location would suggest.
Here one of the parents is about to deliver a meal of ants to the youngster. Most of the ants are within the bill of the adult but there’s one escapee under its chin which is something I’ve seen and photographed often with sapsuckers. Keeping gobs of ants under control must be about like herding cats.
I like this photo very much but it isn’t perfect (very few images are). I’m less than pleased by the shadow of a branch on the aspen trunk and I’d prefer that the tips of the beaks of both birds weren’t so close to each other (there’s only 3 pixels between them, yes I checked).
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Almost immediately after the meal was delivered the youngster pulled its head back into the cavity and the adult flew off for another load. The launch photo isn’t a pretty one (no flashing wings or light in the eye) but this is how it was done. It is what it is.
Yesterday’s snowstorm really dumped on us (remember, I live in a desert). Yesterday afternoon I measured 11″ of snow on my front lawn, last night we got 4″ more and as I type this at 4:45 AM it’s still coming down at a steady pace . Some of it was/is lake effect snow and many areas along the Wasatch Front got significantly less than I did. The mountains were slammed and the ski resorts went nuts with long-frustrated skiers even though the canyon access roads were jammed with traffic and most couldn’t even reach the resorts. The fact that yesterday was a holiday made things even worse up there.
By late yesterday afternoon 458 vehicle crashes were reported along the Wasatch Front (including 4 Highway Patrol cruisers) and things could be just as bad or worse this morning with more fresh snow on the roads and everyone going back to work after the holiday.
It’s a very good day to be retired!
Ron
ron, my email address has changed, see below
Brenda, If you’re telling me about your address change so you can still get email notifications of my posts I’m afraid that’s something I can’t do on my end. You have to re-subscribe from your end.
Wonderful photos. I marvel at the effort and neatness of the nesting hole they make.
Agreed, Lyle. That nesting cavity is an engineering marvel when you think about it.
It actually feels like winter here too. We got some rain yesterday and this morning is cold (for us). I’d love to see a shot or two through your window to see the snow! NO SHOVELING — we need you in one piece. 🙂 I’ll bet you have a neighbor kid who’d like to make some money on her snow day or might take some photography lessons in trade.
Love the sapsucker shots. We have 5 hungry mouths here, although mama isn’t feeding them ants (at least, I hope not!). 😉
Marty, Yesterday after our big dump my neighbor actually shoveled for me. And I don’t have to do much actual shoveling anyway – only the front steps and access to my barbecue out back. I use the snow blower for everything else.
Yeah, Marty, I KNEW he wouldn’t listen. Ron is a body in motion staying in motion 😉
I had a feeling you were out shoveling and that’s why you didn’t reply right away! 😉 Go rest your back. 🙂
Personally, I love seeing the slices of birds’ daily life, and that covers them doing just about anything/everything. For me, the takeoff shot is splendid. The whole idea of just falling into space, knowing you’ve got wings so gravity doesn’t pertain to you just blows my mind. And yes, I AM easily amused 😉
Delighted you got a bunch of snow, especially in the mountains. The same thing happened here with the mountains around Flagstaff getting a big bunch. The difference here is that the winds forced the ski resort to close! I think they’re open today, but the holiday was yesterday.
Here, we got a little bit of sneet, and when I say little, I mean an itsy, bitsy, teeny, tiny bit that if you blinked, you missed it. It’s cold this morning! My thermometer read 20 degrees at 7:00 a.m. It’s only getting to the mid to high 40s. Not sure if I’m going to brave it or not. My fingers aren’t working in the house, which is a predictor for the low temps outside. DARGH! We haven’t been out for the last two days because of the winds. DARGH! Other than that, this retirement thing really rocks!
I’m really hoping your pain level is reduced today. It probably isn’t, but that’s my hope.
Wow, that’s pretty cold for AZ, Laura. Nope, no better yet but I keep hoping…
I’m in northern (northwestern) Arizona, so it’s not all that unusual. The Phoenix forecast was ALMOST to a frost/freeze for this morning. They didn’t make it, but it was close. If they had, Phoenix folks would have all died of frostbite (or so it would seem from their manner of dress to go outside for more than 30 seconds)! LOL! The weather critters called it “frigid.” Really? Let me ‘splain to you about that!
Shoveling YOUR snow is really not a good idea. I’m with Marty (?) in that I’m CERTAIN there’s a kid in the neighborhood who would love to make a few bucks. YOU, on the other hand, need to not do that!!!!
Listen to Laura! 😉
Always love photos of woodpeckers as I never see them.
Even better is the wonderful snow we received. 18″ in our yard and 23″ up at Snowbird. Yes, the traffic will probably still be horrendous. My husband decided not to try it again today after his traffic snarls and long lines yesterday.
It looks so beautiful out there with the blanket of snow.
Have a good day, Ron and enjoy staying home!!!
Thanks, Alice. I’ll be out blowing snow in a few minutes so I’ll find out then how much we actually have on the ground.
Photo’s REALLY show “the drill” for the sapsuckers…. 🙂 The take off is interesting – just pushes off and falls like a rock for a bit! Glad you’re getting all the snow even if it’s a pain for some…… -32 here this morning.:( Retired is good when it comes to days like this! They usually call school here pretty early, BUT I’m sure some still get caught. Traffic and “weather” NOT fun. Calving going on right now also and REALLY not amusing for those folks!
Thanks, Judy. I can’t imagine calving season when it’s that cold. Lots of suffering for all concerned, human or bovine.
Marvelous shots Ron! Hope you are feeling better.
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Really like photos that are ‘stories of daily living activities’. I have found that feeling that comes with ‘being retired’ is how kids feel when they get a surprise ‘snow day’ from school!
I remember those “snow days” too. They were often frustrating for me because I typically got to school very early to avoid some of the traffic mess and the district didn’t call off school until I was already there.
Then I had to drive home in the traffic mess.
Lol sounds like my life… yes I’m thinking spring too!!!!! I’ve never seen a sapsucker here .. but I have seen a Lewis .. made my heart stop .. I finally emailed a complaint to canon .. it’s been a month.. they said parts were on backorder 😖😖😖
And I’ve never seen a Lewis’s Woodpecker.
That sucks about your lens!