Plus a local man has died after likely being gored by a bison on Antelope Island.
1/4000, 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
There’s a seep right below me at one of my favorite shooting spots in the mountains where birds often bathe. I can’t see the seep through all the vegetation but it’s obviously there because there’s water nearby and birds of many species are constantly going into it dry and coming out wet.
Five days ago this wet Western Tanager landed close to me and above the seep. Only its breast was wet so I suspect it had taken a dainty bath by dipping only its breast into the water as birds sometimes do. I’m leaning toward this bird being a juvenile but I can’t be sure.
I’m ambivalent about the branch above the tanager’s head. I think it’s so close to the bird that it’s visually confining but I’ll admit to liking the way the combination of that branch and the perch frame the bird, with open space in the direction the tanager is looking.
1/4000, 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
Then the tanager turned to its right and immediately after this photo was taken it took off in that direction and away from me. The two branches are even more confining now but at least it’s a different pose.
1/4000, 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
A few minutes later this adult female tanager landed even closer to me and in a more cluttered setting. I was struck by how much brighter the yellows are in this bird than in the previous (presumed) juvenile. The ventral yellows in adult female tanagers are “highly variable” and they seem quite bright in this individual.
On an unrelated and tragic note:
I was shocked this morning when I woke up to the news that a local man was killed on Antelope Island yesterday, presumably as a result of being gored by a bison. Bison have attacked several people on the island over the years for a variety of reasons (many related to human ignorance) but this is the first death I can recall.
The incident is still being investigated but it’s my hope that authorities don’t kill the bison involved or overreact by placing undue restrictions on island visitors.
Details of the incident can be found here.
This is a photo from several years ago of a bison on Antelope Island charging a man who got way too close in order to take photos with his point and shoot camera. The only reason this clown wasn’t injured or killed was because the bison eventually veered off to our left and abandoned the charge. If the bison had persisted there’s no way in hell this guy could have escaped unscathed.
Ear buds were found next to the man injured yesterday. We may or may not eventually find out if he was using them at the time of the attack.
Ron
Great shots.
My only comment is that I take the side of wildlife, in this case no matter what I would take the side of the Bison!! No apologies!
Besides being a jerk he’s wearing red pants! Perfect for a bull!! G!
I am sorry to hear that a life was lost. We had a runner get attacked and gored in the butt last year, and survived but needed help and was taken to the hospital. Running around wild animals seems to invite them to give chase. Watching birds bathe can be a lot of fun and not so dangerous. I like how they are framed by the branches.
“Watching birds bathe can be a lot of fun and not so dangerous”
There’s some wisdom there. Thanks, Jane.
I am sorry someone was killed, I too hope it won’t be the death of the bison or restrict path use. If the path the news reported he was on is correct, it is the same I was on when I walked up a rise and there were three big bulls by my parked car. I walked to another section of the road and waited til the bison moved away across the street before I moved into my car. The last time I was on the trail, there are new signs to be aware of bison in the area.
April, I just hope the authorities don’t overreact.
Ron,
I have to admit that I see a lot of people getting out of their cars (signs say not to) to get closer to the magnificent animals with their cell phones, etc. I came across a scene several months ago (pre-pandemic) with 8-10 cars parked on the East side of the island and numerous people out of their cars and going down the incline to get closer to the Buffalo. It surprised me that there was a park ranger in his truck watching the whole thing. Should he have stopped them? Was he there to watch? Was he there to call 911 or pick up the pieces in case of attack?
I am not saying anything against the ranger to be sure. I am sure it is like herding cats or getting teenagers (students?) to listen to adults. I just thought it was an interesting situation and observation.
For me? A long lens and stay in the car! These huge animals have come close enough to me in my car to make me nervous. Powerful animals. I too hope the Bison doesn’t pay for the sometimes innocent or intentional foolishness of the “superior” species.
I have ben up the mountains several times looking for birds. Mostly unsuccessful. Although I did get lucky with some Cedar Waxwings, Osprey (don’t see much of these on your blog) and a couple of Bald Eagles at Rockport Reservoir. I persist.
Best,
Stephen
Stephen, I don’t photograph Osprey often because the best chances at them around here are usually on nesting platforms and they don’t appeal to me in my photos. Flight shots are also possible but unless it’s in an area where I have a decent chance to get backgrounds other than plain blue sky it doesn’t tempt me much.
Western Ts are such lovely birds, as your photos illustrate (with the well-placed branch framing). They visit my fountain occasionally but I must admit I’ve never seen any of them take a “dainty” bath — they are into it with every feather of their being. 😉
As for the bison/human interaction, the news story indicates he was a frequent runner there, suggesting he wasn’t intentionally doing anything stupid to enrage a bison. But if he was wearing earbuds, listening to music or whatever instead of focusing on his surroundings, that’s not very smart and apparently his luck ran out. I, too, hope the animal doesn’t pay the price for this sad situation.
Chris, I’m making an assumption about the bath being dainty but the evidence seems to point that way.
Love the dainty little charmer – and its frame.
And share your hope that no-one attempts to punish the bison for being a bison.
“share your hope that no-one attempts to punish the bison for being a bison.”
Very well said, EC.
Beautiful photos of the Tanagers…….. YIKES on the man apparently being killed by a Bison. Hope they sort it out and don’t punish the bison for doing what come naturally…….. 🙁 Just can’t mess with them – folks visiting Yellowstone have “issues” every year.
Thanks, Judy.
Interesting how the water concentrates the yellow on the juvenile. Hints at what’s to come as the adult demonstrates.
Painful way to die and sad for that. Hope the Bison blends back into the herd an can’t be singled out.
Lyle, I’m anxious to find out how State Parks will respond.
Love the natural frame the branches create! I grew up in Alaska and can’t tell you how many idiots with point and shoot cameras have been killed by bears. Truly stupid and ignorant! Fewer cases of moose killing people – when it does occur it’s usually in spring when the baby moose are born and someone gets between the mama and the baby. I too hope no one harms the bison for behaving naturally.
Kathleen, I’m struck by the tragic irony of that bicyclist in my photo (he’d left his bike on the road) wearing a helmet for safety on his bike but walking up to within spitting distance of a 2000 lb bison. What a nitwit.
These branches contribute to the overall look…can’t really find a real complaint here. I object to the instances when there is no amount of cropping, at any angle, that you can do to ‘make it right’…when you have the perfect bird in the most un-perfect setting! I too, like Everett, want to know what a ‘seep’ is.
“when you have the perfect bird in the most un-perfect setting”
Frustrating isn’t it, Kathy! That’s part and parcel with bird photography.
See my response to Everett for the answer to your question.
Beautiful photos Ron and I like the limb or limbs above and how they frame the bird. What is a seep? I imagine something to do with water, but not familiar with the term. I certainly don’t want to condemn the unfortunate person who was killed, but so many people take such idiotic risks to get photos of wild animals. I have only ever seen bison from behind fences, but for sure would not climb over the fence and get in there with them for a photo.
Everett, a seep is a place where water slowly oozes out of the ground.
Can’t wait to use that 🙂 Thanks Ron
Of course a biology teacher would know that
We have free roaming Bison in a section of Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR (17,000 acre preserve) which is just north of the old Stapleton Airport. There is an 11 mile Wildlife Drive that is closed to all but vehicle traffic with strictly enforced rules to NEVER get out of the car. I am very surprised that Antelope Island allows people to walk near the Bison. PS – this is a fantastic area to see all kinds of prairie species.
I’ve heard a lot about RMA over the years, Mark.
I hope they never fence the bison in on the island. Might as well go to a zoo in my opinion.
I like the way the branches frame the birds in the first three shots — there’s at least one branch that is mostly parallel to an “edge” of the bird and I find that very pleasing.
Not so pleasing are the idiots that don’t use any common sense around wild animals, and it’s the animals that pay the price. (All too often, the same can be said for idiots and domesticated animals as well.) 🤬
Thanks, Marty. Idiots will reliably be idiots no matter what or who is involved.
That said this guy yesterday may have been doing nothing wrong but those ear buds do look damning.
Another lovely series (thanks!), and I hope you’re right about the bison.
Thanks, Cathy. Me too.