Eight photos of five species.
Each of the following photos was taken in the last two weeks in northern Utah.
An adult Red-tailed Hawk relaxing on a cliff in warm morning light. Red on red. I kept waiting for this guy to take off but ‘he’ was having none of it, so eventually I drove off and left him where he was.
An American Avocet in flight from one spot on a large pond to another.
Same avocet three frames later, as it began to turn and just prior to flaring and landing. The reflection of its right wingtip at bottom shows how very close it was to the water. I wish I’d been far enough away to get the entire reflection in the frame.
An avocet squabble, observed by a statuesque and thoroughly bored Snowy Egret.
An immature Black-crowned Night heron in much shallower water than it looks like ‘he’s’ in.
Extra points if you notice why.
He’d squatted way down to poop. In the previous photo you can see him pooping.
A Clark’s Grebe with the zoomies. I have no idea why this bird turned on its afterburners as there were no other nearby birds. I guess zoomies don’t require obvious motivation, as most any dog or cat owner knows.
An unusual perspective on the transfer of a fish from an adult Western Grebe to one of its youngsters. I like the intimacy of the photo. This is a shot where accurate placement of the active focus point really matters.
I’ve been preparing for company for the last few days. With a bad back I’m kinda slow, so it’s been a while since I’ve been out shooting. I hope to get out again soon.
Ron
Was out of town and offline. Just getting to this post.
Those last two photos are marvelous!
All your other viewers have said it all, but I too really enjoy and appreciate the skill, time, knowledge and effort you put into your wonderful blog. Especially love today’s photos of the Grebes, and always appreciate a bird doo shot.
I have scanned up. I have scanned down. I have scanned up again. I have no favourites though I wish my after burners were that good.
I do hope your back settles before the company arrives.
EC, back in the day my afterburners were state of the art. Now, like me, they’re antique.
Thanks.
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy your photographs and narratives, Ron! I’m sure everyone on this blog will agree – you are so talented with a quick wit, too. Truly hope that your back pain settles down and never returns.
Much appreciated, Karen. I don’t know how quick my wit is but given enough time I can usually find it. 🙂
Who knew birds squat to poop?! When you see the baby redtails on the nest cams, they all look like they are standing pretty tall when they go. Now I’ll have to watch the doves in my yard a bit closer!
All of these evoke wonderful stories, thanks! Fish transfer and zooming Grebe especially “awww”-making. Sending all good thoughts for your back – yikes, not again!
“Who knew birds squat to poop?!”
Some do, some don’t, Carolyn.
Baby red-tails are usually trying to launch over the edge of the nest so they tend to do the opposite of squatting.
Lovely grouping. I really like the first avocet in flight and the western grebe chick. I always like watching the eyes when the parents feed the chicks, to me there is such a loving concerned look from the parent who watches to make sure the chick eats the fish. The look on the chicks face in your photos is adorable.
Thank you, April. There’s something special about grebe chicks, isnt there. At least until they start all that caterwauling.
Fun and beautiful series, Ron! 🙂 Gotta squat to pee it seems for the Night Heron. 😉 SO many choices for a favorite! Hope the back shapes up before company arrives….
In theory, we’re going to get a break from the heat starting tomorrow and, maybe, some moisture! Glad they got the wheat in before a rainy spell!
Thanks, Judy.
I saw the photo you posted of your? combine harvesting wheat a couple of days ago. Brought back (mostly) good memories, even though it was a John Deere… 🙂
Yes – we have about 18 acres by the house in Chouteau Co. Rest is “up top” in Cascade Co. New driver this year(probably one of the kids) and it was a challenge for him in the small, hilly, field. Thought he was going to bury the header a couple of times forgetting technology takes care of (helps?) with that sort of thing…..;)
When I was farming we didn’t have any hills to speak of. Damn good thing because we didn’t have any of that technology either.
Neat collection of shots! I especially like the last avocet shot and the two grebe shots — not just for the birds, but for the fantastic view of the coolamatious properties of water. Such a fascinating substance!
As for the company prep, they’re coming to see YOU, not the house. 💜 Unless your house looks like ours, which I’m sure it doesn’t. 😉
“Unless your house looks like ours, which I’m sure it doesn’t.”
Don’t be too sure about that, Marty. You know what they say about bachelor digs.
Good to see you in action! Talking about the RedTail that wouldn’t fly, it’s confounding how some raptors spook when you’re 100 yards away and others won’t move even if a semi truck goes by.
Your comment about red-tails made me chuckle, John. You’ve obviously been there and so have I.
Wow, what fun. I especially love the second avocet photo, with the bill and the curved-upward left wingtip… Almost poetic. And that Western Grebe photo! Amazing. Thanks, Ron.
I agree about that second avocet photo, Ellen. I sure wish I could see what that shot might have looked like with the entire reflection.
Sensational!!
Thanks.
Outstanding Avocet in-flights and love the last one. The juvenile looks so appreciative of the adult’s feeding. Not sure what you are looking for in an answer regard shallow, but in both photos you can see sticks popping up over the surface and rocks showing you how shallow. Excellent series.
Everett, in that first heron shot it looks like the bird is in very shallow water because it had squatted down to poop.
You capture some exceptionally unusual and delightful scenes-
the “contrail” following the “zoomies” and the wonderful intimacy of
fish–transfer between the grebe parent and youngster are happy sights to wake up to–thanks! I hope your back pain resolves VERY
SOON……..
Thanks, Kris. So do I. It’s been an unexpected and unwelcome wake up call.
Fantastic photos Ron.
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Thomas. Thanks.
A nice collection! I especially like the last one of the Western Grebes! Beautiful!
Thank you, Joanne.