My morning on Antelope Island nine years ago today on December 29, 2014 was like no other, before or since. The day before the lower elevations of the island had been almost completely devoid of snow but during the night a big storm had rolled through and dumped 7+” of snow on the lower elevations and significantly more up higher.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D, Canon 100-400 @ 170mm, not baited, set up or called in
The result was a winter wonderland like I dream of. And I was actually there for the very best of it.
Apparently I was the only one willing to drive on the island in those conditions so for most of the morning mine were the only tracks in the snow on the unplowed roads. Even in my high clearance pickup I was often pushing snow in front of me, so the jackrabbits were taking advantage of the situation and staying in my 7″ deep tracks in the snow. Even the jackrabbits were having a very difficult time negotiating all of that snow.
It was beautiful but it was tough living for critters.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
In one of the areas of the island serviced only by a dirt road I came across hordes of magpies and a couple of coyotes scavenging off of the carcass of a buck Mule Deer that had apparently been winter-killed. When this photo was taken one of the coyotes had left but this one was still duking it out with the magpies for what was left of the deer.
This is my favorite shot of the many I took of the excitement at the carcass. I was less pleased with my photos that included lots of magpies. Here the magpie is challenging the coyote and I just happened to catch it in a flight posture that I really like.
With those big antlers sticking up so close to a dirt road they’d be a tempting target for anyone with a hack saw and no scruples to illegally harvest the antlers. When I returned to the site the next morning, park personnel had relocated the carcass to a more remote part of the island.
I just don’t see scenes similar to this on the island anymore. Too much development resulting in too few critters. It’s more complicated than that but that’s the essence of it.
Ron
What an amazing photo of the magpie, the coyote and the deceased mule deer’s antlers. The contrasts of colors against the snow, the various textures and the expression on the coyote’s face are wonderful. I wish NC had magpies! And the jack rabbits made me smile. Thank you and keep recovering from that nasty bug!
Those jackrabbits look like an illustration from a children’s book. Definitely made me smile. Must have been something to drive through that snow! Wow
When I was a kid, the rabbit on the cover of my “The Velveteen Rabbit” was standing up just like the ones in your tire tracks. But yours are for real! Beautiful, and glad they had your tracks to make their lives a little easier that morning.
And so glad your are feeling a tiny bit better. Sending all good thoughts your way.
Carolyn, maybe I shouldn’t admit it but I had to look up “The Velveteen Rabbit”. Now I know…
Wowsers. Now that is a sight I will likely never see. And stunning photos. As you say, v hard for the critters.
And I am very glad to read that you are feeling a tad better.
Thanks, EC. Hopefully I’m on the upswing.
As true always, what a pleasure to peruse your photos! Thank you for all you have posted this year and that I have so enjoyed! We are on the edge of beautiful Eastern woods and see deer as well as occasional other creatures. Bon courage and best wishes for the New Year!!
Thanks for the good wishes, Mary.
Beautiful! Not often you get first crack at new snow that inhibits others…… 🙂 The jackrabbits are fun and certainly taking advantage of the trails you left for them.
Always interesting what a large (or even not so large) carcass will attract. In our case there are usually eagles in the mix and the action can get fast a furious! Of course, no snow this year so far makes for less of that.
Glad you got some sleep and are hopefully on the down hill side of it. Crud seems to be around nation wide…… 🙁
Thanks, Judy. Yup, from what I’ve heard there’s “crud” to spare this year.
Love both your winter wonderland shots – and agree with Cathy. The jackrabbit poses are so whimsical.
Thanks, Kathleen.
Great photos, Ron. I miss snow!
The photo with the Jackrabbits is unique and very interesting.
Have a wonderful New Year!
Thank you, ED. That was my thought about the jackrabbit photo – it’s unique.
I, too, think the second photo is a real stunner ! I know of any number of folks who are struggling with a very powerful cold” (? ) like the
one you’ve seen off–thanks be! Hopefully, you’ll be outstanding in
your field again pretty soon–ha ha !
Kris, I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’ve “seen off” this nasty bug. I’m still a long ways from that point. It’s just that today is the first time I THINK I’ve seen some improvement.
Love the Jack Rabbit shot – that is a keeper. That was almost ten years ago, bet you would not drive out that far on a day like that today. I sure don’t like the seemingly never ending development, but then have to remember that where I live was once pristine land too.
Happy New Year to you and all your FP followers.
PS – like Cathy’s hair/hare and reminds me of the Tortoise and the Hare of my childhood – or maybe my kids childhood. And a name for a rabbit that you rarely hear today,
“but then have to remember that where I live was once pristine land too”
Everett, the difference is that this is a state park that has become overdeveloped, at the expense of the wildlife that was one of its primary attractions.
Those photos really convey the feel of that snowy day. Lovely! Thanks, Ron!
Glad you think so, Joanne. Thanks.
Sorry, I am not caught up on your posts and may have missed something…I see that you shot these with the 7D Mark II, what happened to the R5?
Jerry, as I said in my post, these photos were taken nine years ago when the R5 wasn’t even yet a glimmer in the eyes of Canon’s developers.
Sorry, I looked at the date at the top and skimmed through the story. I’ll read more carefully next time.
No worries, Jerry. None at all. Stuff like that happens.
Two very memorable images. Glad to hear you are feeling better.
Thanks, Kenneth. Me too.
Jack Rabbits are wonderful. Thanks, Ron.
You’re very welcome, Sarah.
Seven inches of snow overnight! This has got to be one of those photo opportunities that does not come around very often, no matter where you are or state of local development. Both photos are great and tell a story, but that second one is special.
Thanks for sharing.
On another note, how are you feeling? Much better I hope.
Thanks, Michael. This has been a tough one but I had a better night last night than I’ve had in a week. I hope the trend continues.
Great photos, Ron. I’m not sure which I like more but think the jackrabbits win by a hair (hare). Haha. 🙂
Intended pun appreciated, Cathy.