Something a little different from me today, just because I like it.
I’m of the opinion that our drought, the disappearing Great Salt Lake, too many people and too much construction and development for such a previously pristine place have been the primary causes of a drastic and unfortunate decline in the numbers of birds and critters on Antelope Island. And in its overall ecological health. I’ve been visiting the island several times per week for over twelve years now (and sporadically before that) and over time that’s the conclusion I’ve reached, very reluctantly.
But my fond memories of what the island used to be like remain strong enough that I still return occasionally, for what I think of as pilgrimages to a sacred place, and yesterday morning I did exactly that. As expected, with the exception of a pretty spectacular migration of hundreds of bison down a mountain and across the road right in front of me to reach what used to be the lake shore, my morning was mostly birdless and critterless.
But I did get one photo I like, even though it’s quite different from most photos I post to my blog.
1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 1000, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
For about two seconds, at 7:26 AM, I had both of these Sage Thrashers in my viewfinder with good light on the face of each of them. At the focal lengths I use it’s unusual for me to get more than one bird sharp but these two were in about the same plane so they’re both plenty sharp. I think the partial side light is interesting and the early morning, warm background colors are nothing short of gorgeous. I also like the contrast between the dead sagebrush branches and twigs the thrashers are using as perches and the living, green sagebrush in the background.
Maybe I’m attracted to the photo because it’s an unusual one for me to post and because it was taken on the island, a place that is almost sacred to me – largely in my memories.
Whatever the reasons, I like it.
Ron
Beautiful photo and a sad sorry tale of your lake. It’s hard to not get depressed these days and it’s a full time job to overcome the grief when one by one every spare green space in my community is paved over and constructed on. All the flora and fauna are displaced or killed and we are left with traffic and spectacularly ugly apartment buildings. And it’s happening at an alarming rate….
Good morning Ron,
The image is superb – a pair in habitat is great.
You will be interested to know news of the demise of the Salton Sea and the Great Salt Lake has featured in recent media down here in New Zealand. Having said that, wetlands are in strife all over the planet…………
Yes, that is interesting, Gary. That kind of thing is a big deal. I wish we heard more in our media about the goings on in Australia and New Zealand.
I saw the Great Salt Lake when I lived in Murrayville. It was amazing. I’m very sad to keep reading about the slow death of it. And? I don’t think there is enough focus on this tragedy. Is your friend still out there?
Re the picture, it looks like they’ve just had a lover’s spat.
Arwen, I’m not sure which friend you’re referring to.
I recently had this conversation about seeing the loss of natural habitat in some of my favorite areas with a new acquaintance. He asked me what I would do to save some of these areas. I replied to look at our now and our future and be proactive, not put out the fires when it is too late, which is where I feel we are now, the tipping point. I said limit growth and sprawl, protect large natural areas from development, farming and atv use. Educate people about use of natural habitat and what is needed for a healthy environment for wildlife and people to live side by side.Water is a serious concern for many western states with this long drought, we need serious changes in water use. But I also said this state is more interested in growth, human growth and sees the natural resources as given by god for use of humankind. The mindset needs to change and I don’t know how to make the changes at the core of this state and it’s people. He listened and said I was too pessimistic he thought change can happen and I needed to be persistent in my message to the right people. I wish I had more know how.
I’d vote for you, April. In a heartbeat!
I am so glad that your largely birdless and critterless morning was brightened with this stunning sight and photo.
And mourn with you for far too many sacred spaces. Who knew that progress was a euphemism for short-sighted greed.
EC, I don’t want to give the impression that my morning was completely birdless, other than these thrashers. I did see some meadowlarks and two shrikes. And I actually got a few fairly decent photos of a Lark Sparrow. But other than that…
I knew what you meant. Not totally birdless, but many fewer than you could have expected in earlier years…
I knew you knew. I said that mostly for the sake of others, for reasons I won’t go into.
WOW! Great capture pose of the two thrashers AND that glorious background! LOVE. 🙂
Thank you, Kathleen.
Sage Thrashers awash in gold on their titular perch. A classic image. Like Janus, one looking forward in time and one back at the Great Salt Lake. “I’ll take the old days.” says one. The one looking to the future says, “But the people and their politicians are forming committees and allocating millions of dollars to save it.” They look at each other from bookended perches and know that someday photos like this will be proof that they and the other creatures were ever here.
What you said is sad but most likely true, Lyle. Makes me so angry.
C’mon. Do I detect cynicism re committees? I am a huge fan of such. Right now I am attending one and composing this reply….if it weren’t for virtual committees how could I possibly keep up with this blog?
“Do I detect cynicism”
Frances, I’d call it facing up to reality.
Beautiful! Never seen a Sage Thrasher. We used to see LeConte’s Thrashers at our Landers desert cabin (‘home-steaded’ by my Dad in the 50’s) near Joshua Tree NP, but have not seen any for about 2 years. It is just so dry and bleak out there, due to the continuing drought.
Thanks, Barbara. Neat story about your homesteading father.
This one’s a keeper, Ron! I try not to be negative, but sometimes I feel like all we are doing is documenting the decline. Missouri has less than one tenth of 1% of native prairie left, and I know we are not unique. Thanks for capturing the beauty that still remains!
“sometimes I feel like all we are doing is documenting the decline”
I know that feeling all to well, Diane. It’s hard to be optimistic but I try.
There are these places that we call sacred; our Axis Mundi. Like a great outdoor monastery we retreat to these places in silence and listen to Creation.
If anyone has such a place and has been going to it as long as you have, they have no doubt observed change, and in most cases that change has not been for the better.
The bison you saw must have been a sight to see. I’d call that a good sign.
Thank you for sharing the Thrasher photo. It is excellent, for all the reasons you stated.
Michael, those bison were fun. There was only one of them that was grunting loudly as it came down the mountain, a big bull. I don’t know why because there were other bulls in the mix too.
Such personality, those birds. I grew up in Iowa with Brown Thrashers and like them, too. Great capture, Ron.
Thank you, Ellen.
I like it too Ron. Have never seen a Sage Trasher. We show them here as “accidental” meaning 5 or fewer sightings per year. What a shame about that area of the great Salt Lake. I have never been to Antelope Island, but have been to the area many times for business, travel, and for skiing. First time I ever heard of Salt Lake City was when as a 5 year old living in Philadelphia in 1943 I got a SLC postcard from my Dad who was on his way to Pearl Harbor to work in the shipyards
Everett, my dad was at Pearl Harbor in ’45 on his way to take part in the invasion of Okinawa. He was there for training for weeks so who knows, if your dad was still there they may have crossed paths. Unlikely but it’s possible.
“Time” marches on and things change – NOT for the better in may ways including this! Glad you caught the thrashers in the beautiful light…. 🙂
Thanks, Judy. This photo, and one more like it, saved my morning.
Beautiful! And sad to know that the Sanctuary of the GSL has drastically degraded due to human over-everything. Maybe if the fall/winter precipitation comes there will be some improvement, albeit temporary? Oh I hope so!
I suppose anything’s possible, Elise – however unlikely. We can only hope, since the politicians and other powers that be waited far too long to give a hoot about what’s been going on for years.
Ah, bon courage. Tis not an easy time. Your photos are such a pleasure to explore even from this distance across the continent. I’m surrounded by green forest with quite a few wild creatures.
Mary
Thank you, Mary. Unfortunately, unless I go to the mountains, I don’t see much green this time of year.
Nice focus and feel. Sad about Antelope Island.. I think that the Salton Sea may suffer the same fate.
Thanks Ken. Yes, I’ve been hearing similar stories about the Salton Sea.