And a marmot.
When it comes to opportunities with a wide variety of birds and even critters, my trip to the west desert yesterday morning was a productive one. So wouldn’t you know, I had trouble with heat waves causing soft shots. At least it was intermittent trouble.
My most unexpected opportunities were with Short-eared Owls – at least two of them and possibly three. The owls were always mostly back lit, but I liked some of my photos of them anyway and I sure as heck was excited to see them.
I’ve barely had time to even look at my owl photos but I decided to almost randomly pick one of them to post today.
This owl had been hunting from a low bush when ‘he’ spotted prey and dived down after it. This is the 14th shot I got after he took off and just before he disappeared in the vegetation. He was strongly side lit but in this case I think that kind of light-play on the bird has more than a few virtues.
As far as I could tell, he missed the prey.
Half an hour later I photographed my first yellow-bellied marmot of the year. At first ‘she’ was out in the open but I knew that there was a car coming up from somewhere behind me on the dirt road so I didn’t spend much time with her.
As I drove by I had to get much closer to her, which caused her to…
hunker down with not much more than her eye peeking out above the rock she was on. I fired off about a half dozen more shots and drove on.
I also saw and photographed Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed Hawks, Sandhill Cranes, Ring-necked Pheasants, Killdeer, Mourning Doves, Black-billed Magpies, Say’s Phoebes and Cinnamon Teals – in that order. Five of the species I photographed yesterday were for the first time this year.
Spring is sprunging, finally.
Ron
Loved that owl photo!! It’s a beauty in my book.Happy Spring photo adventures to you!
That shot of the owl is beautiful. I think the side lighting really highlights some of the shape and texture that would otherwise be less obvious. I’m happy to see that the birds and critters are starting to be more out and about for you.
I’m happy about it too, Bill. It’s been a long, slow winter.
You caught a bit of light in the owl’s eye. Beautiful bird!! Your little grounded friend is beautiful too – maybe cute is a better word – and you got the light in his eyes. Good job!
I know spring is coming because the blossoms on my cherries are about to burst open. I especially like the Mount Rainier cherries. Only got 18 last year – but they have amazing flavor. The weeds are all growing as well :((. Take care and keep focusing !
You have a good eye for catch lights, Judy. Thanks.
Thank you for these photos. First real smile today.
You’re very welcome, EC.
It sounds like a really productive trip. I look forward to seeing more. Love the marmot playing peek a boo.
Thank you, EC.
That owl pic is really quite beautiful, such a look of intention on its face, and I think the lighting only adds to its beauty. And your marmot friend is a cutie, hope you’ll get to see more of both of these as the season progresses. It’s sprung here, too, my first Hooded Oriole of the year appeared in my yard today—with everything that’s going on, we need the hope that this season of renewal brings.
Thank you, Chris. Jealous about your Hooded Oriole – especially in your yard. I’ve never even seen one.
Sounds like an amazingly abundant shooting morning! Love the owl shot and the peaking marmot. Thx for posting Ron
Thanks, Kathleen. It was mostly a fun and productive morning.
Wow, what a collection you found there. And that many for the first time this year, that is really special. Hope you have more mornings like that Ron. Of all the ones you mentioned, the only one I have never photographed are the Black-billed Magpies.
Thanks, Everett. I’m not sure why but so far this year I haven’t been able to find any magpies that were nesting. That’s pretty unusual.
Woo Hoo! A Shortie! The shot shows the intensity of the hunt, especially with half the facial disk in light and the other half in shadow. His eyes pop for sure!
The marmot has such a sweet face too. Really looking forward to your TV shots! (Hint. Hint.
You know how much this gal loves a vulture!)
Marty, I’m not sure my vulture photos are sharp enough to post. If they are, you’ll be seeing some of them.
blurry vultures > no vultures
Beautiful, shade/heat distortion or not!
Spring “springing” here tho slow going. Honkers are pairing off and a couple of Merganzers down on the creek plus the usual robins……
Judy, I haven’t seen a merganzer, of any species, yet this year.
Amazing owl! And love the little bit of plant springing from the rock in front of Marmot. I hope we’ll be getting to see some of the other birds on that list. What a morning for you!
Thanks, Carolyn. You’re likely to see some more of yesterday’s birds but not all of them. Too many soft shots caused by heat distortion.
You noticed that little plant too. For some reason it really caught my eye.
Happy Monday morning. The lighting contrast of the Short-eared Owl does make for a post worthy shot. I like it. Like the peek-a-boo shot of the Marmot as well.
The Mocking birds in our neighborhood have just recently started their all night concert series. Yep, Spring has sprung.
Thanks, Michael. It sounds like you might not be getting much sleep for a while. If you ask me there are worse reasons to lose sleep.
Agreed.