Lark Sparrows are a gift to the eye and ear. Their distinctive harlequin face pattern of black, white and chestnut combined with the melodious, rich trills of their lark-like song makes me long for the return of the species to Antelope Island every spring.
For many viewers certain visual elements come to mind when they think of Sage Grouse on a lek. For me this image has most, if not all of them.
Sage Thrasher spring activities have been ramping up for weeks and I’ve been lucky enough to photograph a variety of them.
Western Grebes exhibit two incredibly complex courtship behaviors, the Rushing Ceremony and the Weed Ceremony. I believe the behavior I photographed yesterday morning to be a preliminary to the Weed Ceremony.
I’ve been noticing Willets on Antelope Island for a week now but until yesterday I’ve been unable to get close to any of them.
This male Short-eared Owl was as set in his ways as I am and that’s saying something.
It seems that one species or another usually predominates on my trips to Antelope Island. Four days ago it was Sage Thrashers demonstrating springtime behaviors.
Chukars prefer not to fly and they don’t like to slip and fall so they’re very careful when negotiating slippery, steep surfaces.
When Sage-Grouse collide with fences the results are often catastrophic for the birds. And it happens all to often.
Male Greater Sage-Grouse fights can be so intense as to cause injuries that range from cuts to broken wings.
Watching Greater Sage-Grouse performing on a lek in a remote area of Wayne County, Utah yesterday morning was an experience I’ll never forget. Ever!
We hit the Sage Grouse jackpot on this trip to Wayne County, Utah.
Whenever Burrowing Owls take up residence in a burrow close to the road on the island they quickly become “discovered” and vulnerable.
Male Sage Thrashers perform what is called the “Bilateral Wing Display” during courtship and territory establishment. Yesterday morning I was able to photograph the behavior on Antelope Island and though I wish I’d been a little closer I had decent light, a pretty good view of the bird and he performed for me for several minutes so I shouldn’t complain.
