Nine photos of eight species.
It was only ten days ago that I published my last “Some Recent Birds” post but I have enough new photos that I like well enough to publish another one so I decided to go for it. As usual, these are recent photos that I don’t think warrant standalone status on my blog but for one reason or another I believe each of them is good enough or interesting enough, or both, to be shared.
All of them were taken within the last 11 days at Bear River MBR or in a remote area of Box Elder County.
A Great Blue Heron fishing in typical habitat for the species.
This is my old friend, the male dark morph Red-tailed Hawk that I documented mating with his mate early this spring. This year the two of them nested in a very difficult location for photography so I don’t know how successful they were but I did see at least one chick in the nest one time. When I took this photo he was high above me on a vertical cliff but it was definitely good to see him again.
This Willet, the male I believe, was perched here as his apparent mate was calling in flight from some distance away. He took off and joined her in flight for a few seconds before both of them returned and landed on the same rock pile.
This shot was taken immediately after he landed. As is typical for the species, he held his wings up for a few seconds after he landed. In this case he was also calling, apparently to his nearby mate.
A not very sharp Rock Wren with nesting material in its bill. This bird popped up unexpectedly while I was photographing the Willets. When I zoomed in on the nesting material it appeared to be mammal hair – probably cow hair that had been snagged on a nearby fence. The wren and the Willets were…
obviously comfortable in each other’s presence.
A male Yellow-headed Blackbird giving me the over the shoulder look.
A Turkey Vulture beginning to turn on its leaning old fence post perch.
Three ducklings on a temporary “pond” that owes its existence to our wet spring. There were no adult ducks nearby and the only other duck on the entire pond was a male Northern Shoveler. So maybe the ducklings are shovelers? I dunno, to me most ducklings look like Mallards.
A Forster’s Tern beginning to dive on a fish. I like this shot quite a lot, even though it’s been cropped significantly and the composition is a little wonky because I didn’t have any more room at the bottom of the frame.
I’ll close by reporting that by last evening much of my garden looked a helluva lot better than it did the day before, after the devastating hailstorm. I may have BLTs with garden tomatoes this summer after all.
Life is good again. Mostly. Until the next hailstorm.
Ron
All interesting and fun Ron. My two favorites are the Yellow-headed Blackbird and the Vulture.
Thank you, Everett.
I really enjoyed each of these photos. Yet again I am suffering from a bit of bird envy – for many of these but particularly the vulture. We could certainly do with the clean up crew.
Glad that your garden is recovering from the hail. And hooray for the prospect of ‘real’ tomatoes.
I’m glad you appreciate vultures, EC. As Dan alluded to below, too many folks don’t.
All of these shots are wonderful; I love Birdpourri days! Like Dan, I’m a fan of Turkey Vultures and their adaptations. (I’m even more of a fan of the California Condor, but I digress…) The GBH is gorgeous as they always are. I’m impressed with the tolerance the Rock Wren and Willet have for each other — if only humans could be so comfortable around differences.
Glad your garden is bouncing back too! When should I come up to SLC for those BLTs? 😉
Marty, I’m becoming increasingly concerned about the California Condors. Between lead shot and avian flu they’re having a very hard time of it.
I doubt the ‘maters will be ready before mid July, at the earliest. Everything’s late this year.
These are such great pictures. I love the majestic GBH. And even the turkey vulture is impressive. My daughter and I were out picking berries yesterday and saw several of these. They were not scared of us at all. As we passed through their area, they flew over to an old tree snag and perched. When we were past, they went back to where they were when we first saw them. I always enjoy your posts. When I get out with the kids and see some of the same birds you take pictures of, it’s a great feeling.
“When I get out with the kids and see some of the same birds you take pictures of, it’s a great feeling.”
And it’s a great feeling for me to know that, Jimmy. Thanks for telling me (us).
Cute, ugly, intense, regal, dramatic; I could anthropomorphize on and on, but they are all photogenic.
It’s all just another form of variety, isn’t it Lyle.
Ron,
Thanks. Two thumbs up! Nice variety and narrative … as always.
Stephen
Thank you, Stephen.
They’re all wonderful, of course, but I’ll put in my vote for the Turkey Vulture. It’s not because the photo is any better, they are all great. But, I have a special fondness for Turkey Vultures. People dismiss them too easily but they are very intelligent and really wonderful birds. As for their looks, if you took all of the feathers off the head of a Yellow Warbler, you would probably find it less attractive too. The bald head is a great adaptation for reaching into a carcass. You can’t use your beak to preen the feathers of the head but feet can scratch off debris from a featherless head.
You made some interesting points, Dan. But then you always do.
The turkey vulture makes me smile. He and the scraggly old post go together so well. Another gorgeous tern picture.
I agree, the “scraggly” post and the vulture look like they were made for each other. Thanks, Catherine.
Like that GBH photo. Real sharp and the color contrast is appealing (despite the reed).
Always like the tern photos. The elegant aerodynamics of their body shape and the black and white color scheme is hard to beat.
Yeah, that reed was a minor bummer, Michael. Otherwise, I like the photo pretty well.
This morning’s is a lively and interesting smorgasbord ! (not to eat, of course )
I especially enjoyed the willet with raised wings- those markings are stunning–
and I’m so glad that you’re in better spirits about your garden’s condition this
morning–prospects of BLTs in sight !
Would that be a “smorgasBIRD?” 😉 (Sorry. I woke up late and haven’t had my coffee yet.)
” I’m so glad that you’re in better spirits”
That first day was pretty damn depressing, Kris. Time, and plants that seem to heal themselves to some degree, have improved my outlook.
‘To me most ducklings look like Mallards.’
Isn’t that true!!! 😂
Yup, for me at least.
Nice collection and variety of photo’s, Ron. Each has it’s own bit of interest and charm. 🙂 Rock Wren and the animal hair is fun – just never know what will be incorporated in a nest.
“Every bird in the world” grounding a Raven (crow) this morning – it was here about a week ago too. Dog finally saw it in the field and added to the melee…… 😉
Glad the garden/yard is looking better. Joe never really checks crops for a week or so since sometimes it takes awhile for the true extent of the damage to become apparent as in hits to the stems of grain crops. Of course, unless right by the house, we don’t have to really look at it either……. 😉
Judy, we tried to wait a day or two to check our crops for hail damage. Often we didn’t have any choice because the fields were too muddy.
So beautiful! And as always, although I rarely send you a message, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! What a joy to see your photos often!
Mary
I’m glad you enjoy them, Mary. Thanks.