Plus a surprise visit from a mouse that turned out to be a moose.
I always eagerly anticipate my first trip into the Uinta Mountains early each summer and yesterday I finally scratched that itch. The Uintas are the highest mountain range in the contiguous U.S. running east to west with Kings Peak being the highest point in Utah at 13,528 feet. To me they have a unique feel about them when compared to the Wasatch Mountains immediately east of Salt Lake City.
And yesterday morning the birds in the Uintas were in a frenzy of nest-building.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 640, 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 Pine Siskin was gathering nesting material from the ground very close to my pickup. I’m not sure what it was picking up but it stuffed its beak with many short pieces of this thread-like material before eventually flying off. It almost looks like fishing line but it isn’t. I’m sure it’s a natural material of some kind.
1/8000, f/5, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
I spent much of the morning at a half-dead aspen tree that had 3 nesting cavities. This one was being used by a pair of House Wrens that were carrying nesting material into the cavity. For this shot I prefocused on the cavity entrance and then watched with my naked eye for one of the wrens to fly in and then fired off a burst to see if I’d get lucky. Here I caught the wren at the moment of touch-down as it was carrying nesting material in its beak.
My camera settings may seem all wonky for the conditions (and they were) but I was going back and forth between two photo situations with dramatically different lighting that was constantly changing so this was the result. One thing’s for sure – those little buzz saw wings have no motion blur at 1/8000 sec shutter speed!
1/8000, f/5, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
At one point the wren arrived at the entrance with a small yellow feather.
1/8000, f/5, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
It stuck its head into the cavity but then seemed to hesitate about taking it inside and eventually it flew off with the feather still in its beak. There were quite a few Yellow Warblers flitting around so I suspect one of them was the original owner of the feather.
1/3200, f/5, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Tree Swallows were busy at another cavity in the same tree but against that white aspen bark in direct sunlight the dark dorsal surfaces of the swallows were an exposure nightmare because of the extreme contrast. I toned it down as much as I dared during processing but I think it still shows.
They would cling to the entrance with their back to me and then take off so damned fast that I mostly got “air shots” but this time the swallow signaled its takeoff by raising its wings slightly for a split-second so I fired off a quick burst and…
1/3200, f/5, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
caught the swallow in a nice flight pose. Naturally, even with my teleconverter removed I clipped a wing.
At one point I heard Mia (she was shooting from the back seat) quietly but excitedly say “Mouse, mouse!”. I had my lens focused on a bird at the time but we often try to photograph voles on the ground when we see them so I quickly looked down there to try to locate the mouse but I couldn’t find it.
But very soon it became clear that I had misunderstood what she said. Instead of saying “Mouse, mouse” she had said…
“Moose, moose!”. This bull moose was emerging from the willows quite close to my pickup. I quickly grabbed my “baby lens” because the moose was so close and fired off a few shots. Most of the time it had its head down while it was feeding but even when he lifted his head his right antler usually kept his eye in shade. This was one of the few shots where I had any light in his eye.
Usually I couldn’t see the mechanics of him eating because his head was buried in vegetation but when he reached this small willow clump (the one immediately beneath his snout) he attempted to bite some of it off. I didn’t think much about it at the time but I did notice that he spent an unusual amount of time as he apparently tried to take a bite and in reviewing my images I don’t see that he was ever successful.
A few seconds earlier I got several shots where he held his mouth widely open when he wasn’t trying to eat anything. The extreme angle of the lower jaw seems unusual to me given that their mandible is long and straight and articulates with the rest of the skull behind the eye. I have to wonder if his mandible might have been injured.
Copyright Matthieu Deuté, Creative Commons
This moose skull shows the long straight mandible and where it articulates to the rest of the skull. I’m not seeing how rigid bone would allow the mouth to be opened at that angle if there wasn’t some kind of injury – perhaps a broken jaw.
But I’m far from a mammologist and I know next to nothing about moose anatomy so I can only speculate. I wish I’d been able to see his snout while he was feeding (or attempting to feed) in the vegetation but except for that one time I never could.
I did see him with willow leaves in his mouth one time and in all other ways he seemed perfectly healthy so perhaps he’s just fine and I’m misinterpreting and overreacting. I sure hope so.
Ron
Nice post! What are your thoughts about calling wildlife official and/or rehabilitators in that area so an expert can check on the moose? Your jaw study seems spot on.
Liz, In these types of situations DWR lets “nature take its course”. And personally I agree with that stance.
Great shot of the moose. Have never seen one “live”, always wanted to. They are beautiful.
Trying “subscribing” again to see what happens…………..
Good luck. Let us know…
Wonderful photos, Ron! I have not seen a real moose in many years (saw one in Maine). I love the Tree Swallows and the other Swallows too – we see them in Ct and there is a cruise at Old Lyme to see over 500K of them! Of course there are a few Barn Swallows and Purple Martins there too (in August – Sept.) they all converge on Goose Island. Roger Torey Peterson was amazed to see them and they were right in his backyard! It is quite a show they put on!
I’m jealous of your Purple Martins, Jerilyn. If I’ve ever seen one I didn’t recognize it.
The Purple Martins are quite beautiful. I am fortunate to live in this area (CT) as a friend right down the street has a Purple Martin home. I love your photos of birds!
I love it when you do multiple species shots and what a collection of beauties today! I have a thing for swallows–magical critters they are and I can watch them for hours on end, all the while with my chin dropped into that OH WOW posture! Even with your clipped-wing nit, I’m in that OH WOW posture!
Love the pine siskin, too. Here, that hair would come from a hummingbird yucca, but don’t know if you have those there.
And of course, the condominium tree(s). Just love those, but I hate it that we humans often tidy those up to our stupid human standards! DARGH! I shouldn’t get started with that, blood pressure and all.
The moose is just amazing, but now you’ve got me wondering about that open mouth, too. Sigh…
But the biggest thing for me is that you felt good enough for a big road trip! YAY for you!! Jumping with joy here!
That Oh Wow posture you describe so well had me wondering if I was going to dislocate my jaw on my trip to Antarctica – and at so many of Ron’s posts too.
EC, I find that I’m often in that OH WOW posture when I’m out and about communing with Mom Nature. She puts on quite a show if only you open your eyes and LOOK around you! So few people GET that, which of course, is why I like to hang out here!
Laura, with 3 nest cavities that tree is pretty darned close to a condo tree! And there’s another tree about 3′ away with yet another nest cavity in it.
Forgive the earworm but as I scrolled up and down (and up and down) through today’s post all I could think was ‘oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day…’
Earworm it is…
And once again, we’re thinking alike EC! That’s the song in my head today, too. And Ron, it’s all your fault. Now I have to remember ALL the lyrics to that song 😉
Beautiful shots and a great post! Love seeing all the birds getting their nests ready!
Me too. Thanks, Joanne.
Not an IT person, but my guess is that the GDPR and privacy compliances are why our info isn’t auto-loading. Mine hasn’t either. This is my only regular blog so I’m not sure if it is happening on other blogs. The timing is what makes me eyeball GDPR.
A Carolina House Wren once decided one of my chairs was a BRILLIANT nesting spot. I had to discourage her because she’d chosen the webbed pocket of a camping chair. We had cats, possums, and racoons at that place so I felt she needed higher ground. Funny little bird!
That’s what we think it is too, Arwen. Because of the timing we’re almost sure of it. I have several sites I visit regularly that are having the same or similar problems since May 25.
Great shots. Our Tree Swallows have eggs and should have young soon.
All I know is that Moose are big, tall, powerful animals. Stood near a bull deep in the Maine woods years ago hoping he wasn’t going to get antsy with me. Is there water nearby? I usually see Moose in or near water.
Great Potpourri of shots, thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Dick. Yes, there’s water just out of frame at bottom and there’s a river about 100′ in front of him.
Love seeing the nesting birds, but I envy you the Moose encounter – that’s one animal I would absolutely love to see in person.
I was apparently a bit premature in mentioning that my name/email showed up yesterday, because today it again doesn’t.
Dang, wish I knew how to fix it, Susan.
A very great example of your art. Thanks for sharing. The tree swallow is amazing.
Thanks very much, Betty.
What a fun day you guys must have had — I’m a bit jealous, to be honest. Hope the longer trip is indicative of you feeling better.
The Siskin sorta looks like it might be carrying hair or fur, although I don’t know of any non-human species in that area with long hair. Perhaps a hiker “shed” in that area. During the spring, I’ll clean my hairbrush in the backyard and I’ve seen the LBJs at the shelter go after dog fur that’s out and about. They especially like Husky or GSD undercoat “puffs” that the dogs leave behind — I’ve seen squabbles over those prized pieces.
I especially like the moose shots with the ears pricked. I usually think of them with relaxed/flat ears as in your first shot. I’d live to see one in the wild (from the safety of a truck, of course! 😂 )
Marty, there was lots of that “stuff” on the ground. It was too fine for me to see until the bird picked it up but he found pieces of it all around the area. I lean toward it being some kind of unusual plant material but who knows…
My hummingbird yucca has that kind of “hair” but I doubt you’ve got that there.
Overall, what Marty said! 😉
And I’ve got to fill in my name and email address today.
Nope, no yuccas in that area, Laura but I do think it’s likely to be some kind of plant material.
Thank you for the beautiful pics of the Tree Swallow. I’ve never seen one!
They’re fairly common around here in the right habitat, Mary. Thanks.
Looks like mouse to me…on the big side, but definitely a mouse…like the tree swallow shot with the wonderful shadow….tree, with its multiple tenants, reminds me of the “assinine tree crime” executed by an idiot…
I thought of that “glory tree” too, Patty, It still pisses me off that they chopped it down.
I am also still pissed off. To the max.
And my details refuse to auto-load. Which peeves me.
Not going to stop me for sure! 🙂
Good!
Great photos and report on what sounds like a perfect trip Ron. The tree swallows are amazing!
Thanks, Ed. It was beautiful up there.
Wonderful series Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Great series of nest builders followed by a moose – an outstanding morning’s work. Not familiar with all your mountains and for a minute I thought that was Unitas Mountain as in Johnny. 🙂 Have a good weekend Ron.
Everett Sanborn
Prescott AZ
Ahhh, Johnny Unitas – now there’s a name that brings back memories! Thanks, Everett.
‘A Day in the Life of a Tree’. ❤️ I don’t think I’ve ever seen more than one, perhaps two species of bird build a nest at the same time in the same tree. Nice! And very nice catching the moose…’little’ surprises like that make a day great. As a side question…are the Uinta Ground Squirrels named for that particular mountain range?
Kathy, there’s also a division of the Ute tribe called the Uintas. I suspect the mountains were named after them and the squirrel named after the mountains.
Wonderful series, Ron! The wrens are always fun to watch and can get pretty aggressive with some critter. The tree swallow’s color are gorgeous and REALLY pop even if it was an exposure nightmare 😉 “Bit” of size difference in Mouse and Moose for sure! Almost looks like “lip action” rather than the whole jaw – hard to say. Computer just doesn’t like me………….still having to fill in.
That was definitely the biggest “mouse” I’ve ever seen, Judy! 🙂
I agree – there’s definitely “lip action” going on but when I look at the position and angle of the lower teeth I still have to wonder…
At this point I’m unclear about what to do about the issue with auto-fill. Frustrating, to be sure.
That perched Tree swallow shot is gorgeous Ron. I am also quite a fan of the Pine siskin shot surprisingly, they’re one of my nemesis species that I’ll have to wait until winter to have another opportunity to be able to photograph them. Anyways, if that moose is indeed injured, I for one hope it’ll still be able to survive!
Xavier, I see siskins often in the high country during summer. They’re flitty little birds though so getting decent shots of them is always a challenge. Thanks.