And a brief look at the brand-new visitor center on Antelope Island.
I meant to post some of these photos last week but my copy of Photoshop kept crashing every time I tried to load it, so my blogging wings were clipped. I was immensely frustrated for nearly a week before my ex-neighbor and still good friend Ryan Johns came to my home and fixed it. Turns out that the “Preferences” file was corrupted. Thanks, Ryan.
And to think, all he ‘charged’ me for his magic was a couple of drinks, a BLT and fries for dinner and some garden veggies to take home.
It’s dragonfly time in my yard right now and I’ve had several interesting Odanatan visitors, including a large male twelve-spotted skimmer.
He was using one of the tomato cages in my garden as a hunting perch so, typical of dragonflies, he repeatedly took off after insect prey and then returned to the same perch. He continued to do so for over 40 minutes so I had plenty of opportunities to photograph him.
Both male and female twelve-spotted skimmers have 12 brownish-black spots on their wings (3 on each wing) but males have white spots between them that females lack. So this is a male, with a slightly tattered left hind-wing.
At one point a photobombing female Black-chinned Hummingbird took exception to his presence and tried to intimidate him – probably because he was only a couple of feet away from the canna lily patch that she considers her own.
He stood his ground and she flew off.
And speaking of those canna lilies, yesterday morning I got this shot of a Rufous Hummingbird at the same cannas. I like the photo for the colors, including the unusually colored dark green background.
Readers already know that my good friend and neighbor Shane Smith and I have a routine where we each watch out for one of the two (or possibly three) Cooper’s Hawks that regularly hunt our backyards and when one of us spots one, we notify the other. Shane is a bird photographer too so he’s as keen about Cooper’s Hawks as I am.
Last evening I walked out my back door and didn’t even see that one of the Cooper’s Hawks (not Hannibal) was perched right in front of me, on the roof of my shed. But Shane could see me and he could tell that I hadn’t seen the hawk so he made a noise that drew my attention and pointed to it. Thanks, Shane.
I got many photos of the Coop on various perches over about 40 minutes.
By the time I took this one it was nearly dark. Eventually it became so dark I went inside to fix dinner (homemade chicken pot pie, in case you’re curious).
I’ve mentioned Shane so many times in the past I figure it’s time to introduce him to my readers.
A few days ago, both Shane and I were photographing hummingbirds at my trumpet vine. I was shooting from my old, decrepit and unused side-deck and Shane was shooting from the ground behind it. On impulse I aimed my second camera at him and took a few photos.
This is the exact moment he realized that I was taking his picture. In the next photo he had a big grin on his face but I like the ‘surprise’ in this one. And his dubious look.
Shane’s one of the good guys. He’s saved my bacon many times when I needed something done that I couldn’t do because of my bad back. For other reasons too.
Ron
PS – Eleven months ago, when the new visitor center on Antelope Island was in the midst of construction, I sold 10 photos to Utah State Parks for use in the visitor center’s exhibits. I hadn’t been to the island in more than a year so last week, when I heard that the visitor center was now partially open, I decided to make a trip to the island and check it out. I’ll admit to some curiosity about how they used my images.
The new visitor center is mind-blowingly huge. This view is from the east, from about a quarter mile away.
This is a look at its backside, from the south. As of last week, the center wasn’t completely open or completed so they’re calling it a “soft opening”.
Here’s an example of how they’re using some of my ten photos in their exhibits. The photos are quite small and not very impressive but I’m happy to know they’re being used to educate folks about the wildlife on the island.
To be honest, I have strong mixed feelings about the new visitor center, on both sides of the spectrum. But that’s a story for another day.
I think I got the better end of the deal! Let me know if it’s still giving you trouble.
All interesting Ron. Have always enjoyed watching our various Dragon Flies but have never taken the time to learn to ID the
different ones. Tell your people there that they need to rename
Antelope Island to Pronghorn Island.
I always feel delight to see your pics and read your astute and entertaining comments!
Much appreciated, Elise.
Your homemade pot pie distracted for minute😁 Great pictures of birds and nice to meet Shane❗️
Diana, the pot pie was delicious. I had more of it for lunch today.
PS – Happy to hear that you were able to sell some of your shots to the new visitor’s canter. I still think a book would be a good idea.
Very INTERESTING stuff – and – as usual all of your shots are great. Didn’t realize that dragon flies were so beautiful . They always flew over and around our pool in Bountiful – but never landed so we could get a good look. Again – THANKS for sharing!
Thanks, Judy. Dragonflies are stunning – physically and behaviorally.
A book just isn’t in the cards. Too much work for me at this age.
I LOVED the Cooper’s hawk portrait. I didn’t think that anything short of a condor could intimidate a hummingbird, especially a rufous, as
they’re now showing up ! If you have more dragonfly photos that meet your ( highly elevated ) standards, I hope that you’ll feature them in a blog-to-come ? and maybe damselflies ? You’d think that given the size of that new visitors’ center that they could feature more
LARGE-SIZED prints on all that wall space ! That’s what I’d like to see– especially YOURS ……..
Thank you, Kris. You’re right, I should post dragonfly and damselfly photos more often.
Great group! I especially like the photography of the hummer – beautiful!
Thank you, Joanne.
Nice nice pic of dragonfly. You had good depth of field — hard to get on them. And wonderful that your VC photos carry on your education legacy.
Thanks, Kent. I do wish I’d had a little more DOF to get his abdomen sharper but at his body angle and the focal length I was using, it just wasn’t in the cards.
Having a neighbor who enjoys photography, plus is there when needed is a treasure during these crazy times we are trying to survive.
Exactly, John.
I’m a fan of all the wingy-thingies and you’ve got three of my very favorites right here. I confess, I never would expect a dragonfly to face off with a hummer and come out “the winner,” but the things we learn from you and your camera!
Love all these photos — beautifully lit Rufous and lily against that gorgeous background, the Coop in his foot-up pose seeming quite unperturbed, Shane giving you side-eye 😂 …
But I’m trying to remember, what was it about the old visitors center at AI that needed “improvement”? I thought it was quite nice when I visited in ‘22 (and I recall large photographs on the walls) … I’m glad they managed to give credit for yours, but is that a flip-book on a wall? I can imagine your disappointment. But they call it progress …. 🤷♀️
“what was it about the old visitors center at AI that needed “improvement”?”
Very good question, Chris. Maybe it was because the old one didn’t have a reception center for, you know, things like weddings and such. Which is exactly what they plan to do in the new one and I’m not happy about it.
Oh, man … but I guess if there’s money to be made, someone will find a way to make it. As long as it benefits the island, it could be a fair trade-off … though that’s the question, isn’t it? 🙄
I occasionally get those dragonflies visiting my yard – thanks for the info about male/female spots.
Nice to “meet” Shane – the neighbors must get a kick out of you two with your giant lenses. They’ll always know where to look for the birds!
The visitors center – it’s pretty big. I hope there will be enough water in GSL to maintain the Antelope Island environment that you’ve documented over the years and that your photos (credited, hooray!) will be relevant and not a “This is what used to be here” story.
“credited, hooray!”
With the smallest print that’s legible, as long as you have 20/20 vision. But credited, so I’m OK with it.
I’m looking forward to giving this big post a good perusal later this afternoon……anticipation !
I hope you find it interesting, Kris.
I really like the photo of the dragonfly with the hummer in the background. One of many things to love about this post, including hearing that they are using your photos to educate folks at the visitor center.
Thanks, Bill. That hummer pestered the dragonfly for long enough that I got more than a dozen photos that included them both. But I was so surprised by the appearance of the hummer I lost my concentration – so in many of them the dragonfly was soft.
A wonderful winged thing fling this morning, Ron! Glad to be able to put a face with a name for your neighbor as well. Excited that your images will be used to educate for decades to come — what a tribute to you as a science teacher. 💜
Great Coop shot. He looks miffed that it took you so long to notice him. I especially like the light and bokeh in the third shot — I’ll add this one to the hundreds of your photographs that I’d be happy to have gracing my walls.
Trying to think of what I could do for you that would require payment in Bourbon and BLTs (hot homemade pot pies)…😉
*or, not hot — what the hell, autocorrect!
You’re right, Marty. It was bourbon. It always is.
Kindred spirits.
😁
I think the Coop likes his picture being taken – beautiful shot, a prize winner!!
Glad you like it, Dick. Thanks.
Love that Coopers Hawk photo!
Thanks, Dan. And to think, it was nearly dark when I took that photo. Good thing I was using my tripod.
Nice variety this morning, Ron…….. 🙂 Those dragonflies are darn near as big as the hummers in some cases! Discretion IS the better part of valor at times….. 😉 The center is a bit of a monstrosity! Glad they’re using you photos to educate! Shane’s photos of the hummer at the corn tassels popped up on my FB page last evening. He’s REALLY coming into it! 🙂
“Shane’s photos of the hummer at the corn tassels popped up on my FB page last evening.”
I saw that you shared the link, Judy. I think I “liked” it too.