Occasionally I post a sampling of recent photos as examples of the kinds of birds I’ve been seeing and photographing lately. They’re photos that may not deserve standalone status on my blog but I think there’s something interesting about each one. All were taken in northern Utah in the last two weeks (15 days, actually).
A drake Hooded Merganser at the beginning of a wing-flapping session. I think his fully erected crest is a bonus.
An Eurasian Collared Dove that was very close to me when it jumped up onto this rock with a pond in the background and almost begged me to take its photo. I felt I had to oblige.
An adult Bald Eagle taking off from one of its favorite roosting perches. I often find Bald Eagles in these trees but they’re always back lit.
A drake Mallard at the moment his feet hit the water during landing. This is a perspective I’m seldom able to capture with a landing duck.
Canada Geese flying in unusually tight formation. This is a very small portion of the hundreds of geese that took off from a pond simultaneously, which spooked the drake Mallard into flight that I posted two days ago. I think the clouds at bottom add a nice touch.
A Double-crested Cormorant doing what cormorants (and Turkey Vultures) do. I found this lone cormorant two days in a row on the same rocky perch at the edge of a pond.
A Northern Harrier contemplating a feather. The harrier seemed fascinated by the feather near its right foot. I have no idea what bird the feather belonged to – it was already there when I pulled up on the harrier.
So there you have it, a pretty typical cross section of the birds I’ve had opportunities with recently. As usual, I made better use of some of those opportunities than others.
Ron
Merry Christmas, Ron. How are the Rough-Legged Hawks this year?
What a diverse collection ! I found that the hooded merganser was
offering something quite unusual– striking markings in his
“armpits “! You’d probably never get to see them except in such a
wings–back pose– at least I never had before……
Kris, surprisingly you can actually see those black markings when their wings are folded. See this link for an example.
https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2024/01/16/yesterdays-hooded-mergansers/
Super series Ron!
Thanks, Charlotte.
Cannot recall seeing a Mallard landing shot from the front like that. That is a good one. And that flight of Honkers is really quite a graceful shot. Cannot decide which of the two I like more. Each have their own set of qualities.
Thanks for appreciating the Mallard shot, Michael. That type of photo is hard to get sharp.
WOW! Wonderful collection of “odds and ends”, Ron! 🙂 Merganser looks like a balloon with his chest puffed out along with the crest.. 😉 Mallard puting on the brakes is cool. Like them all!
Full compliment of Grey Crowned Rosy Finches are now around flock of more than 50) – eat me out of house and home if they get the chance! 😉 Sunflower seed still $25 for 50# after a brief drop around Thanksgiving. Leucistic not among them…….
Thanks, Judy. I spent over $60 on bird seed yesterday and didn’t get much for my money. It’s quality seed but expensive.
I particularly like the contemplative Harrier. Your photos really make me hanker for our trips to the southwest.
Burrdoo, I get a similar hankering when I see photos of birds like Northern Cardinals – a species I never see.
Really like them all Ron. Thanks for showing them, Eagles and our lone female Harrier are my all-time favorites, but for this set I will cast my vote for the Hooded guy. All excellent.
Thanks, Everett. It’s hard to beat “the Hooded guy”.
Thank you so much! Your photos/art are/is is always a gift! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thank you, Mary.