Including some of the last bare ground I’ll see for a while. Probably a long while.
1/2000, f/9?, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Six days ago I got a series of photos of this Northern Harrier hunting voles at Farmington Bay WMA. I posted two of those photos recently but this one is new to my blog.
Harriers typically hunt low to the ground while flying very slow, often with their long yellow legs hanging straight down. To me their slow flight speed and body posture gives the illusion that they’re somehow, almost magically, hanging in midair.
While I was processing this image very early this morning I realized that the bare ground at the top of this image is some of the last of it I’ll see, possibly for weeks.
This is what it looked like out my back door at 4:15 this morning. It began to snow at 5:40 last evening – the beginning of what our weatherpersons often euphemistically refer to as a “snow event”. Soon after I took this photo I measured nearly 13″ of snow out there and the National Weather Service is predicting that by tonight we’ll have up to 16″ of new white stuff in the valleys and 20″ on the benches. At the rate it’s snowing now I’ll bet we get more.
I had a physical therapy appointment for 7:00 this morning that I cancelled yesterday in anticipation of this storm. Sometimes, on rare occasions, I actually think ahead and make the right decision.
Our mountains, that already have record snowpack, are predicted to get 2-3′ more snow before this event is over. We can only hope that our water managers and seriously addled politicians will allow a large portion of that water to reach Great Salt Lake this spring and early summer.
I have far more confidence in our water managers than I do in our politicians but in many ways it’s the politicians that really call the shots.
Ron
Gorgeous Harrier shot! That is some snowstorm! Hopefully, you’re not out there shoveling.
Our local mountains are getting slammed and the snow level has dropped to 1500 feet (maybe lower by the time this is over). The moat around the back of our house has returned — still waiting for my very own dragon to show up, though! 🐉
Nice image of the hovering harrier. We did not get as much snow, about 10 inches. We need the moisture, I worry about the elk. Photographers are able to capture many photos with them being down along the roads. The elk are not looking good, very, very thin. This new heavy snow storm might be the end of many of the elk in such poor condition.
Sorry to hear that, April. I wonder if DWR will start feeding them.
Hanging Harriers are a marvel, and what a great photo! She obviously wouldn’t have much happy hunting in all the new snow, hope she got a good fill-up during this foray. And I hope your own larder is well-stocked!
“And I hope your own larder is well-stocked”
It mostly is, Chris. Did my grocery shopping yesterday. Only problem, I forget to get milk.
Lovely Harrier and you can keep that snow over your way. 🙂
Thanks, Sandra.
That harrier photo is just absolutely beautiful. It really captures the elegance and spirit of a harrier on the hunt.
The snow is beautiful as well, especially if you can just stay home and enjoy it and ruminate on how important it is to the ecosystem.
I sure don’t have any plans to go anywhere, Bill. One of the many reasons retirement is a good thing.
Golly! That Harrier is beautiful. Thank you for the amazing photo, Ron.
And, like you, I hope and pray that a significant amount of snow melt will be allowed to make it to the GSL. May the politicians and water managers see the big picture and hopefully prevent the GSL from disappearing.
Thanks, Melanie. We’re at a very critical time for the lake. And for all of us who live near it.
Love that photo of the Harrier and as previously expressed – with envy. I was having difficulty shooting our gal in flight yesterday afternoon. If only I was not as old as I am I could take hold of your advise that you have to practice in-flights “Relentlessly.”
Same weather here – went out to get the papers this morning for us and a couple neighbors I do and the wind and light hail and snow were blowing me away. Our paper’s headline this morning says, “SNOW INCOMING>” From now through the weekend. Looks like a no birding weekend.
“Looks like a no birding weekend.”
Looks that way here too, Everett. Who knows when I’ll get out again.
Who knew a bird could look so relaxed in flight? Amazing that air and those wings enable that. And of course the photographer who captured it.
The snow is beautiful and my back is grateful it’s not in my driveway. All I have is a shovel, having sold my snowblower when we moved here.
Lyle, unlike our last storm, this snow is fairly light and fluffy so the snow blower handles it pretty well – at least considering how deep it is.
Hanging…. is a Great Photo.
Thanks for sharing that & all your post…
Now I do want to say, thou I understand snow is good for our MidWest farm land… we don’t need 2 or 3 ft. you can keep that. 😉
Take care…
CJ
“you can keep that”
We’ll probably be glad we have it, CJ – unless spring weather stays cold and then heats up suddenly, like it did in ’83. If that happens we’ll be in a world of hurt because of flooding.
Feeling grateful that I don’t have to attempt getting to work this morning. Schools appear to have declared this a “remote learning” day. That’s apparently a way to avoid having to make up a snow day at the end of the school year. In neither case would any actual learning occur, I’m afraid. On mornings like this I remember wondering why I was risking my life driving to school when I’d likely be one of very few who got there.
“On mornings like this I remember wondering why I was risking my life driving to school when I’d likely be one of very few who got there.”
But we did it anyway, didn’t we Sue. I remember mornings at South when it was almost deserted, even though they hadn’t closed schools. At least not in time.
Just love that photo of the Northern Harrier. Reminds me of these small STOL aircraft used in remote areas with primitive runways.
Beautiful shot of the snow. Even so, I pause and wonder how the wildlife manage in that environment.
Looks like you might be in for a time of hunkering down with a hot beverage and review the archives for a post?
I sincerely hope that the right decisions are made and the lake benefits from this.
“Looks like you might be in for a time of hunkering down”
Maybe even hibernation, Michael… 🙂
Beautiful shot of the harrier – fun to watch them work a field here. 🙂
In our wildest dreams for that amount of snow 🙁 Few inches with sideways light snow falling. -6 and who knows on windchill this morning! At least there’s a little snow cover for the ground/wheat!
Cancelled an appt. for Joe yesterday – roads a mess. Getting smarter about that as I age! 😉
Thanks, Judy. Getting smarter as we age beats the hell out of it going the other way.