Bird potpourri. Ten photos of seven species.
Occasionally I post a collection of recent photos that may not rate standalone status on my blog but I think they deserve to be seen. Individually, each one includes something of interest and collectively they represent what my recent birding trips have been like.
Each of the following photos was taken in remote areas of northern Utah within the last two weeks.
It’s been a good year for Chukars, at least in Box Elder County. But this time of year almost all of them I see are on the remote dirt/gravel roads in front of me, rather than in natural habitat. Then, when I drive forward, they disappear in the grass and brush.
These two were an exception. They’d been on the road but when they scurried into the roadside vegetation they turned around for a moment and faced me.
You can see how incredibly cryptic their coloration is. You’d better not take your eye off them when they’re in habitat because if you do, you’ll probably never be able to spot them again.
Adult White-crowned Sparrows look quite different from their…
juvenile counterparts.
An immature Red-tailed Hawk taking off toward me. After this shot was taken the bird veered off to its right. I got many flight shots but all I had was blue sky in the background and the hawk’s face was shaded.
A side lit Sage Thrasher that flew in for a snack of wild rose hips.
The rose hips are attached firmly to the plant by their stems so the thrasher struggled to break the attachment. But eventually the bird was successful.
A Turkey Vulture circling above road kill.
Another Turkey Vulture preening on a photogenic perch.
A Swainson’s Hawk trying to look dignified, which is difficult to do when you have remnants of your last meal clinging to the top of your bill. In other photos of this bird its messy bill was even more obvious.
I was struggling to get photos of a small group of male Ring-necked Pheasants on the ground that were mostly buried in the grasses when I finally noticed this rooster perched in a tree right in front of me. He was so close I could barely give him enough breathing room in the frame.
I quite like this shot, even though some might see the mottled light as problematic.
There you have it, a group of photos that pretty accurately represents the birds I’ve been seeing lately. Hopefully it won’t be long before new migrants provide a little more species variety.
Ron
Ditto on the kudos for the pheasant shot. I’ve never seen one here in the Ottawa area of Ontario.
Thanks, Burrdoo.
I love your Pheasant shot, and I think the mottled light is just brilliant!
Good. Thanks, René.
Love it when you post these collections! They are all wonderful, but my favorite today is soaring Turkey Vulture, showing so beautifully closeup what makes up the dark and light lines when you see them so far above in the sky.
Yes, that’s an excellent field mark for identifying a TV in flight. Thanks, Carolyn.
I had to go away and come back and reload this morning. The first time I could only see the first three photos. I am glad that I mustered the patience to try again.
I am also a messy eater though my food remnants are not on my bill. Love the pheasant and delighted (as usual) in your potpourri.
Sorry you had a frustrating first experience with the post, EC. And glad you came back again.
I really like the young Swainson’s, the preening turkey vulture, and the light on the pheasant. Great group of photos.
Thank you, April.
The Swainsons Hawk interested me. So, its a juvenile and hasn’t headed south yet?
Yes John, on both counts.
Beautiful photos Ron. I always learn several new things from your Potpourri postings, so I really appreciate it when you do one. And that pheasant photo looks so much like a museum diorama it’s almost hard to believe it’s not one.
” that pheasant photo looks so much like a museum diorama”
You’re right Bill, it does. I’m surprised I didn’t notice that, after so many years working at our Museum of Natural History.
Love everyone of your photos Ron. The Turkey Vulture on the limb is, wow.
Thanks very much, Thomas.
Fun variety and beautiful shots all. I, too, am partial to the pheasant! We’ve had about a dozen of the roosters in various stages of getting their adult plumage in the lane the past few days. I never tire of them! Chukars are a bit scruffy right now and yes, VERY cryptic….. 🙂
Judy, I’ve also been seeing more immature roosters than adults. With hunting season fast approaching, that won’t last long.
Fun group Ron. You can see how camouflaged those Chukars would be unless your were specifically looking for them. Really like the young Red-tail. Looks like he is bouncing up from a trampoline.
We have lots of Vultures flying around recently. Nice pheasant shot. I have not seen one since I left Pennsylvania 46 years ago.
Thanks, Everett. I’m a little surprised that you apparently don’t have pheasants in your area,
Just check out Prescott list and they are shown as “accidental” five or less sightings per year – no wonder I have never seen one – and specific to an area – so obviously I have never been in an area where they might be seen
Just checked out Prescott list and pheasants are shown as “accidental” five or less sightings per year – no wonder I have never seen one – and specific to an area – so obviously I have never been in an area where they might be seen
Like you, Michael, and Chris, I think that pheasant shot is a real beauty ! And the immature red-tailed hawk SO DYNAMIC that before I’d scrolled to see the whole frame, I thought he must be on a trampoline ……the shoots of dry grass even add to that effect. It
was gratifying, too, to see the thrasher in the midst of such brilliantly
colored abundance……such a satisfying post this morning !
“I thought he must be on a trampoline”
Made me smile, Kris. I see what you mean.
They’re all lovely photos … even Swainson’s with messy beak and always glad to see wonderful TUVUs … but I think that Ring-necked Pheasant is fabulous. Gorgeous colors on the bird, great lighting as far as I’m concerned! ❤️
“that Pheasant shot is a classic”
I’m glad you think so, Chris. It pretty much confirms my own thoughts on that photo, which I wasn’t too sure of.
Nice grouping of photos. Enjoyed them all!
That RT shot is pretty awesome. Looks as if he is thinking ‘Okay, I’ve had about enough of that avian paparazzi…’.
Lighting aside, that Pheasant shot is a classic; “I’m ready for my closeup mister DeMille”.
Thanks Ron.
Glad you like the pheasant, Michael. I’m surprised by how much I like it – to the point that I almost gave it standalone status with its own blog post.