A Chukar in snow has long been a favorite combination of mine. A calling pose seals the deal.
This photo was taken on December 30, 2012, two days before New Years Day when I photographed the coyote pouncing on prey buried in the snow on Antelope Island that I posted yesterday. I’ve always been attracted to Chukar colors and plumage patterns when combined with fresh clean snow and set off by the reds of the bill, eye ring and legs. Throw in a clean but non-homogeneous background with strong hints of habitat and I’m a happy photographer.
It isn’t like me but for some reason I was seriously tempted to clone out the poop beneath the Chukar’s tail because its high contrast against the snow grabs my eye. It certainly would have been easy to do and I’m sure I’ve made that poop even more obvious to viewers simply by pointing it out. If I hadn’t mentioned it I suspect many blog followers would have barely noticed it, if at all. I stewed about it but in the end decided to leave it be. It was there, it’s natural and besides, poop happens.
Recently I’ve become almost obsessed with snow, or more accurately our lack of it. Yesterday on Facebook local photographer and friend Judy Watson made this comment on my pouncing coyote photos taken two days prior to today’s Chukar photo – “I think that was the most snow that year on the island since I started going. I looked back at my photos and the snow ones are from 2013.” Over the years Judy has probably visited the island about as often as I have, which is a lot, so her comment hit home as it reminded me of what used to be..
I think some of us, including me, have begun to accept our serious lack of snow out west in recent years as the new normal and that’s both sad and scary as hell.
Ron
Excellent shot Ron!
Charlotte Norotn
Thanks, Charlotte.
There are no Chukars here but there are close to a hundred other birds of various species at the feeders right now because it’s been snowing for several hours. No one predicted it. Doesn’t make sense that Utah is snow-starved. In the future your wintertime photos may be historical documentation that it used to snow there. There are Anna’s Hummingbirds buzzing about their feeder. I think they’re fast enough to dodge the snowflakes.😀
I envy you your snow, Lyle. If we got any my bad back would suffer after snow blowing and shoveling but we’re past the point where I’m more than willing to pay the price.
What a wonderful photo! My intro to the Chukar was a stop last year at the Chukar Cherries store in Prosser, WA (a great place for delicious Washington cherry treats). A stylized Chukar head is part of their logo. It seemed it was just a fun marketing thing, until I saw their photo and sign describing the Chukar. I’m in Central WA – don’t think I’ll see one in the backyard, but maybe in the mountains around us…fingers crossed!
Carolyn, there are substantial Chukar populations in suitable habitat in eastern WA so they shouldn’t be too far from you.
His coloring is beautiful against the snow. And as for his little gift… shit happens 😁
A friend sent me a picture a few months ago thinking I’d know what kind of bird it was, I didn’t. Put it out there to birding Facebook people and they identified it as a Chukar. We don’t have them so it’s believed it was an escapee ❗️
We sure are praying for some good rainstorms to make their way here too.
Thanks, Diana. From what you said I also suspect your Chukar was an escapee.
I think Arwen had the right idea, the Chukar is such a fanciful-looking bird! I’m loving these snow-specific photos you’re posting — maybe a Red-tail or a Harrier in it coming up soon? 😉
As I sit here with doors open onto my sunny backyard (where it’s already 75 at not quite 10 am), reading others’ lamentations about lack of snow, I’m thinking about SoCal holidays as a kid that were occasionally “spoiled” by rain. Oh what I’d give for a downpour on Christmas Day!
Chris, as a kid I lived in SoCal in the winters for about 10 years and I remember those rainy winters that used to drive me nuts at that age. The times they are a-changin’.
As they say … if only I knew then what I know now! I thought my parents (both raised on the prairies) were crazy for loving rainstorms, now I’m exactly like them! 😬
I agree with the other commenters about the beauty of Chukars (and the “airbrushed” quality of their coloring that is similar to that of Cedar Waxwings), the joy of having both those species first hit my retina via your photographs, and the anger and rage toward those who both deny and seem to go out of their way to exacerbate climate change. Having the poop there is perfect for 2020.
“Having the poop there is perfect for 2020”
I didn’t think of that Marty but you’re absolutely right. In fact maybe there isn’t enough of it…
I’m with Kathy! Those of us who spend appreciable amounts of time in The Great Out There KNOW that climate change is REAL! In fact, I made a strategic error moving to Arizona! I should have chosen Utah or Wyoming, but when cold does happen, my hands freeze up. What to do?
Chukars are just gorgeous! When I lived in Wyoming, I’d often hear them when out hunting with my friend’s tiercel prairie. He didn’t often catch them and I only saw them occasionally and what beauties!!
Hope all y’all are well, safe and happy! Merry Christmas, Happy Winter Solstice and Happy whatever you celebrate! Here’s hoping 2021 is a much better year for all of us!!!!
As you will probably remember I am also a big, big fan of chukars. I still think of them as ‘Beagle Boys’.
Too many of our politicians still dismiss or ignore climate change. Which makes me ballistic with rage.
As it does me EC!!! Makes me FURIOUS!
I sure do remember, EC. I think of you every time I post a Chukar.
Gorgeous photo, Ron, for all the reasons you mentioned. Not native, but a thrill to see for photographers, and also the hunters the birds were imported for.
We’ve had relatively small amounts of snow (1-2 or 4 inches) 3x in the last couple of weeks here. Our overall precipitation for the year, however, is pitiful, less than 9 inches instead of our typical 14+. Sidewalks have often been icy, and my fear of falling and inability to go to the gym during a pandemic are getting to me. So I’m really ambivalent about our much-needed snow.
Here’s hoping for some improvements in 2021!
Thanks, Nancy. The older I get the more I understand that fear of falling.
Beautiful Chukar! The snow REALLY does set them off.😀 I didn’t notice the poop until mentioned…..😂 Such colorful little birds…
We could REALLY use some moisture – getting a “bit” this morning – we’ll take it BUT.😞 Wind moving enough dirt yesterday to close 87 from GF to Ft. Benton for awhile. Glacier Co. had gusts over 90 mph they say….😲
Judy, I think most of the west is in the same boat.
Ha, 90 mph winds in Glacier County is just about normal… 🙂
What a gorgeous photograph! The background is exceptional and it adds a lot of sweetness to the scene.To me, the presence of the poop is not perturbing at all. We must learn to focus our mind on what is important. The chukar is absent from our “avifaune” in Quebec, but the snow is still present and in great quantity. Your blog is always a good way for me to begin my day. Thanks.
How about sharing some of your snow, Laval? We’re in a world of hurt.
Like Arwen – thanks for the intro to Chukars. The smooth feathers look like a fur coat with the snow. Would have never noticed the poop – now I’m fixated on it! Would have assumed it was a rock in the snow. Great photo Ron!
“Would have never noticed the poop – now I’m fixated on it”
Ha, that’s exactly what I expected from many readers once I mentioned it, Kathleen. My mind works the same way.
I’m with Arwen on having no knowledge of Chukars until seeing them on your blog. Nice photo though of a very colorful bird against the snow. I have to admit to often cloning out poop in photos of ducks, geese, and various wadding and shore birds. Pretty much the only cloning I do or can do with my very simplistic Microsoft photo program.
Thanks, Everett. I think most folks are unfamiliar with Chukars – their range is quite restricted and they’re not particularly common even where they are found.
Lovely photo…colorful but easy on the eye! 😍 Love the soft shading and blending of colors and the wee bit of red just sets it off beautifully. This bird’s feathers…the textures, reminds me of Mourning Doves or Cedar Waxwings, so smooth.
The lack of snow or certainly the lesser amounts are very evident here in NE Wisconsin in the 20 years that I’ve lived here. It is a scary thing. And ‘they’ say…’what climate change’ ! I think those of us who spend time in nature and document with our photographs see it so easily. I’ve only been photographing for perhaps 10 years but looking back and checking dates, I can see when buds on branches are swelling, snow fall, other conditions that are occurring at a different time. If one follows phenology with degree day accumulation it becomes even more evident. And that will put me on my soap-box so I shall get another cup of coffee… 🙂 .
“I think those of us who spend time in nature and document with our photographs see it so easily”
Excellent point, Kathy. I think you’re absolutely right.
I’d never even heard of this bird until I started following your blog. 🙂 they are gorgeous. It’s as if Nature said, “hmmm. What would happen if I did this…” and then painted from the heart.
Arwen, Chukar’s are nothing if they’re not a conglomeration of colors and patterns. Like you I think they’re wonderful, even if they are introduced.