Occasionally I post a collection of recent bird photos that, instead of being of being exemplary images in their own right or documenting interesting behaviors or events, simply represent the kinds of birds I’ve been photographing lately. These are photos that I think are pretty good for one reason or another, even if some of them aren’t necessarily top drawer.
Each of the following eight photos was taken this month in northern Utah.
Canada Geese in a snowstorm. Some folks aren’t very fond of this species, but I like to photograph them in unusual conditions and in flight. For that reason, the first three photos in today’s post are goose photos. Apologies if you’re not a fan.
A ‘wedge’ of Canada Geese in flight. This photo stood out to me because I rarely get this many birds in flight that are all sharp and especially because I virtually never get such good separation between so many birds flying in a group. And I like the wedge shape of the flock.
I’m including this shot of a single Canada Goose for those that prefer better detail in individuals over less detail in larger groups of birds. In this light, the plumage patterns on the left wing really stand out.
A Common Raven with water in the background. This bird was ‘talking’ to another raven in flight that was out of frame to the right. Either that or it was badmouthing the photographer.
An adult male Northern Harrier, a “Gray Ghost”, hunting along the shore of Great Salt Lake.
A pair, male and female, of Northern Flickers on my neighbor’s roof below their solar panels. I believe it’s too early in the year for flickers to be forming pair bonds but these two sure looked like they were.
A Pied-billed Grebe in the same snowstorm as the geese in photo #1. Yes, I like photos of birds in falling snow and for me the snowflakes on the grebe’s back are a bonus.
A stunning intermediate morph Red-tailed hawk. At least I believe it’s an intermediate morph.
It’s been a while since I’ve been as excited to see a bird as I was to see this one. For the last several years a dark morph Red-tailed Hawk has been nesting in the same area where I found this intermediate morph. That dark morph is mated to a more typical light morph red-tail, so I have to wonder if this apparently younger (based on eye color) intermediate morph is one of the offspring of that pair.
I haven’t seen the dark morph yet this year but it sure would be fun if that bird shows up again this spring, in addition to the intermediate morph. That would make for an exciting summer for this bird photographer.
Ron
Great photos – thanks for posting a collection.
I really like the intent focus of the harrier – they are such amazing hunters.
And that hawk is beautiful. I really hope you get to see the older dark-morph this year. I think I remember your photos of him from the past.
Thanks, Bill. I’ve posted photos of that dark morph that were taken during several different summers. I’d love it if that bird returned yet again.
I check for your posts before my first cuppa of the day – which is just as well because my dodgy tummy means that it is often eleven or later before I can face that first cuppa.
Thank you so much. As others have said your posts are a fine antidote to the depressing news of the day.
And just because I love them I am (just) on team raven this morning. They are such intelligent family minded birds.
Wow, BEFORE your first cuppa. That’s pretty impressive, even when it’s that late. Thanks, EC.
Excellent potpourri collection! Am Team Red Tail – that pose is terrific and the colors of the bird and his surroundings are stunning!
Thanks, Kathleen. It’s hard to not be a fan of that particular red-tail.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments and fine photos! I so enjoy seeing them!
Good to know, Mary. Thanks.
A potpourri of winged friends. Nice shots all Ron and all appreciated.
Looks like you had a good morning.
A photographer friend here posted a photo yesterday of a Pied-billed Grebe with the largest fish I have ever seen one with. I told him I did not think it could ever get that fish down, and he came back later to tell me that he watched for over an hour before the Grebe finally gave up.
Thanks, Everett. Those grebes may be tiny but they’re persistent.
Add me to your collection of grateful fans. I really look forward to seeing what natural goodies you offer to start my day. Thank you for providing an antidote to the other news coming in lately. Each day I try to follow the advice my father-in-law gave me when he was in his 90s – “Enjoy what you have.”
Thanks, Burrdoo. “Enjoy what you have” while you have it. You may not have it long.
Beautiful series, Ron! Canada Geese can be a PITA but enjoy them none the less……
Luv the Raven and the Gray Ghost is a beauty. Have seen a couple trying to hunt in our wind the past few days – a challenge even for them! Grebe looks a bit “soggy”.
Finch flocks must be combining here as it’s gotten obscene at the feeding grounds at times. Need some warm weather to clean out there so I don’t set up a disease breeding ground!
Judy, I’ve been following your extreme weather up there. On Wednesday I saw that the wind chill forecast for Helena for Thursday (yesterday) was -48 and the forecast for Cut Bank was -54. I’m too damned old to put up with those kinds of conditions.
Fortunately here the bitter cold didn’t last TOO long and we keep getting some snow but not like Judith Basin Co. is having to deal with – we’ll take it even if shoveling and sweeping off the car is getting old along with me.
Friends who winter in northern FL have been dealing with a bit of snow and temps that didn’t get out of the 30’s for a few day as is sister N of Houston.
“as is sister N of Houston”.
Judy, I have good friends who live 30 miles north of Houston, on Lake Conroe.
Sister is in New Waverly a bit further N than Lake Conroe
I’m with Carolyn and Michael– you provide us with a a positive,
interesting, frequently beautiful, way to start the day– and that’s
worth a LOT these days ! I especially enjoyed the second shot
because of its nice spacing and variety of wing positions– I’m
glad when I open up my laptop and see that FP’s there, ready
to give me a good start to the day–thanks !
Thanks, Kris. So far, I’m pleasantly surprised by how well photo #2 is being received. If it isn’t my favorite of the bunch, it’s close.
As with Michael, the FP email gets opened first. What a great collection of birds today! I love Raven, and Grebe, and Flickers, and Geese, and Hawk, and Grey Ghost – ha, I guess I love them all, each for different reasons, because you capture so beautifully a unique moment in each bird’s life. Thank you for a wonderful start to the day!
Thanks Carolyn, especially for this – “you capture so beautifully a unique moment in each bird’s life”.
The first thing I do in the morning is make a cup of coffee, followed by checking my email. When there is one, the FP email gets opened first. Coffee and FP. Always a pleasant way to start the day. Everything else can wait.
Love them all this morning. I enjoy how you explain your curation and presentation process. So relatable.
To me if there is a standout among this group of winners (they made it through you process), it would be #2.
Keep em coming.
Thanks for your priorities, Michael. That’s saying something, to be ranked right up there with your first morning coffee.
Stunning photos, Ron
Thanks a lot for what you bring us from behind the lens
Thanks very much, Lee.