When it’s snowing this hard times are tough for both critters and photographers.
Four years ago this week I was scheduled to show some of our local birding spots to a good friend and bird photographer from out of state but the weather didn’t cooperate. We went anyway and below are some of the results.
1/1000, f/8, ISO 1000, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
At times Farmington Bay WMA was in near-whiteout conditions. Just staying on the road and out of the canals was an accomplishment so finding birds was even more of a challenge. Getting decent shots was virtually impossible. The flip side was that the weather made the birds we did find “stickier” than usual so several American Kestrels allowed us to get close.
This male kestrel was enjoying his midday meal of vole on top of a signpost. Even focusing on him through the falling snow was extremely difficult. I remember trying to use manual focus but I believe this shot was taken using autofocus.
I think those two little vole feet sticking out of the snow are particularly poignant.
For obvious reasons none of my shots that morning, including this one, were very good but they do document some of the difficulties wildlife must overcome in order to survive in winter. The snow on the ground was so thick I have no idea how this diminutive falcon was able to find the vole in the first place, much less catch it. But once he had it he was determined to get a warm meal in his belly which is probably why he allowed me to get close.
Conditions were tough for photographers too. This is my friend Dave Sparks out for a stroll with his camera in the snowstorm. The photo was taken shortly after I took the kestrel shot. Dave lived in Florida at the time so I imagine this was a bit of a shock for him. But he’s photographed birds in colder places, including Yellowstone in winter and Antarctica, so he toughed it out with nary a complaint.
I wish we had snow like this now but around here it looks more like March than the end of January and it has for most of the winter. Day after day we have thick clouds but relatively warm temperatures and no snow, or so little it’s gone in a virtual heartbeat.
Give ‘m hell, Greta Thunberg!
Ron
Found your Blog recently and very much enjoy your photos. I LOVE the Kestrel photo! The effect is beautiful…like a watercolor. That softness that a snowy day produces.
Thanks, Dolores and welcome. I hope you enjoy it here.
The Kestrel shot really says it all with respect to the difficulties for animals during a harsh winter. Here’s hoping we can get some winter weather in — it’s supposed to be 80F here by Saturday.
Too early for 80°, even down there!
Thanks for the welcome.
🙂
I am constantly awed at how well birds (and all critters except us) cope in weather extremes.
I am sure that you and Dave and the kestrel had a good day despite the weather. The vole not so much.
Yeah, we all had a great time together, EC – despite to snowstorm. In fact it was kind of fun.
I’m happy any time you see a kestrel..beautiful photo, but a lousy was to treat a “friend”…
Next time I’ll arrange for better weather, Patty. 🙂
Ron,
I agree with the comment on the weather. I went out to FB Saturday in thick fog. Nice and moody but not good pics. I did get pretty close to a bald eagle, I just wish he had a little sun on him.
Hope springs eternal.
Stephen
“Hope springs eternal”
It does, Stephen. Which is why I went all the way to Bear River MBR this morning. Which turned out to be socked in with both clouds and fog. Hope dashed…
Hi Ron, I’ve been following your blog recently. I love Kestrels. Your photos of them have proven to me that Kestrels are not born blurry as I previously thought. LOL this is a running joke in my household. I have tried to photograph them on many occasions and can never seem to get a good focused shot. I have quite a few of them on my property (80+ acres) here in FL. Even had some nesting in a woodpecker hole in a palm in my yard. It has been next to impossible to get close enough for a good shot. They are so skittish. Even my regular fence post dweller will fly three post down for every 3 feet I move closer. I originally found my way here thanks to your “Die Hard Canon fan” post. I am also looking at upgrading my old Canon. I am certainly not a pro bird clicker but I am a serious hobbyist who is rediscovering a long lost love 🙂 I feel your pain on the Canon conundrum. Not sure what I will do either. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your journeys as they are inspiring to me as I embark on this avian adventure and thanks for proving Kestrels are not born blurry!
“born blurry”. I loved that, Suzy. And welcome to Feathered photography.
Beautiful photo, Ron. Yes the vole feet sticking up are a reminder of the “chain of life”. At least the Kestrel got a warm meal out of the deal… 🙂 We could used some snow tho sure don’t want a rerun of last Feb. “Everyone” saying snow pack is great – well, N & W maybe but our “island mountains” that we rely on here aren’t so red hot……. 😉 Being out in that weather is NOT great no matter what you’re doing BUT!
Judy, some of our lower elevation ski resorts are already having to manufacture snow. In January!
Beautiful photo – I love the way the white background accentuates the colors of the kestrel. And you can almost feel how cold the bird is by how its hunched over and focused on eating and then getting out of the snow.
Thank you, Kent. It was pretty darned miserable that afternoon. I felt for the birds but then I often do.