And in some cases, ice on birds.
Suddenly it’s winter around here. Each of the following birds is perched on ice or is covered with ice, or both. All photos were taken four days ago at Farmington Bay WMA.
1/8000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
A Snowy Egret on ice and not looking particularly happy about it. This bird is a real straggler, as most of our Snowy Egrets headed south some time ago.
Yes, my choice of ISO (and resulting shutter speed) was a mistake for this bright white bird against a dark background.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
A drake Mallard on ice in the midst of a vigorous wing flapping session. Mallards are common but the males are beautiful so I thought this colorful guy deserved his literal moment in the sun.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 1600, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
A frost-covered Killdeer standing on ice right at sunrise, thus the very warm light.
I could tell that this bird was anticipating the warming rays of the sun because, just prior to the sun coming up over the nearby Wasatch Mountains, he turned himself broadside to where the sun would appear and just stood there, without moving. Waiting. For a long time.
When the sun finally hit him I had to wonder if he was infected by the same earworm that suddenly started going through my head.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 1600, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Another Killdeer that looked even colder than the previous one. There’s frost on his back, the mud is frozen solid and the rock (I believe it’s a rock?) next to him is covered with thick hoarfrost.
I actually started to worry about this bird. While I was there he never even stood up, which is unusual for Killdeers in my experience. He still hadn’t stood up, or even moved, when I left. Trying to keep his legs and feet warm I guess.
The seasons really have changed and pretty suddenly at that. We’re now in the midst of a weekend snowstorm that’s predicted to dump several inches of snow in the valleys and up to 3 1/2′ in the mountains. Yesterday I finally broke down and retrieved my snowblower from my shed in the back yard and dragged it into the garage where it’ll be more accessible. My snow shovel was already there.
My sprinkler system is turned off, my camping trailer is winterized and my furnace was recently inspected and tuned up, so I hope I’m ready for old man winter. And the very best news? I’m not flat on my back, recovering from major back surgery like I was at this time last year. What a difference a year can make.
Ron
As was sung, “when it is spring time in Alaska, it is 40 below”.
Keep the rope up!
😊
I am so glad that the kildeer were both fine. And very, very glad that you are much better than you were this time last year.
We are lurching into summer here so your cooling photos are even more blissful.
Thanks, EC. I hope your summer isn’t blistering and is fire free.
Sadly the forecasts are not good. Homes and lives (wildlife and human) have already been lost to fires.
😒
BRRRR! – Knew the “ear worm” before double checking…… 😉
The last Killdeer startled me for a moment as I thought it was a broken, frozen wing in front of it! Noted there appears to be a bit of water under the Mallard’s feed – cringe worthy as, at times, ducks get frozen in the water on the Missouri over night.
Wonderful, fun series!
The year since your surgery as, at times, flown and other others drug on. SO glad you got some relief from the surgery!
Cold and/or wind definitely mess with everything. So far our winter is typical El Nino – sighhhhh. Don’t mind escaping the cold but do mind the dry!
“Knew the “ear worm” before double checking”
I’m not surprised, Judy. It’s a natural for the situation.
Ducks, and coots especially, get frozen in the ice here too. Terrible way to die, though often a predator comes along and speeds it up for them.
Cool series! 😉 I have to admit that when I read your title, I was hoping for some “coot hockey.” If you take requests for reposts during the upcoming snowstorm…
I feel bad for the egret and those Killdeer (who seem to know that there’s a “disturbance in the force”). I really hope that second one isn’t stuck. The Mallard is fantastic — as they always are. I feel pretty lucky that such a looker is so plentiful!
So glad you are in better shape this year than last. I definitely understand keeping the rope up. ❤️ I hope that the upcoming snow isn’t the wet, dense, heavy kind. We had the first dusting of snow up in the mountains this week, but no rain here by the coast, unfortunately.
I’m glad you remember that coot post, Marty. It’s one of my favorites.
I think both of the Killdeer were fine. When I came back later, they were both gone.
I’m so glad the Killdeer seem to be OK.
“I’m glad you remember that coot post, Marty. It’s one of my favorites.”
Mine too, Ron. Mine too.
❤️
Very interesting post Ron and glad you are ready for Old Man Winter. I have many shots of birds and ducks on ice and have really enjoyed both taking them and looking at them. Yes, that poor Killdeer really does look frozen. They are so skittish normally and always skittering off with that loud shrill see ya later call. Fun post.
Something I always remember about Killdeer is that you can’t walk toward them along the side of a lake if you intend to quietly sneak up on a larger interesting bird further along. The Killdeer run ahead, away from you, screaming out that you are coming and scaring everything else away.
Thanks, Everett. Yes, I can thank Killdeer for many missed opportunities with other birds.
I love the chilly birds. I too was concerned about the frosted killdeer! The best part of your post for me was the last 3 sentences. I just broke out in a big, warm smile for you.
Melanie, as I’m sitting here at my computer I keep looking at the rope that’s still attached to my bedroom wall, the rope I used for months to pull myself out of bed in the morning while I was recovering from surgery.
It’s a stark reminder that things have definitely improved. Someday I’ll take that rope down, but not yet…
The blue and the green in that drake photo are so rich.
Those Killdeer photos gave me a shiver.
Glad you are in good shape and ready for the winter.
45 degrees this morning in So Cal. Cold for us. But next week we are seeing a few days of upper 70s before going back down in the 60s. Still no White-Crowned Sparrows in the yard.
“45 degrees this morning in So Cal. Cold for us.”
Cold is relative, isn’t it, Michael. I’m sure the folks on the family farm in northwest MT would think our current weather is pretty mild.
Sensational series!
Thanks.