Pronghorn Meets Bird At 40mph
Usually when something unexpected happens in the field my lens is pointed in another direction but in this instance the timing couldn’t have been much better.
Category: Favorite Locations
Chukar Negotiating A Slippery Slope
Chukars prefer not to fly and they don’t like to slip and fall so they’re very careful when negotiating slippery, steep surfaces.
Peachy Female Red-winged Blackbird (and my FOY Swainson’s Hawk)
Male Red-winged Blackbirds are so distinctive in color and pattern as to be instantly recognizable by most but the mottled brown female often goes unrecognized or even mistaken for a large sparrow.
Sage Grouse And Fence Collisions
When Sage-Grouse collide with fences the results are often catastrophic for the birds. And it happens all to often.
The Gray Ghost Gives Me A Second Chance
It isn’t often that I get a second chance at a male Northern Harrier in flight when things don’t work out the first time.
The Balancing Act of Shutter Speed, ISO and Wing Motion-blur
Once again, a little photo-geekiness from me this morning. I know that some regular readers of Feathered Photography (especially those who are photographers themselves) sometimes wonder why I tend to use such fast shutter speeds so I thought I’d attempt an explanation.
The Most Popular Burrowing Owl On Antelope Island
Whenever Burrowing Owls take up residence in a burrow close to the road on the island they quickly become “discovered” and vulnerable.
Meadowlark Take-off (and some of the challenges facing the photographer for shots like this)
Western Meadowlarks are now singing by the gazillion from their elevated perches on Antelope Island so I’m getting some opportunities for take-off shots.
Sage Thrasher Bilateral Wing Display
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.
Note To Self – Don’t Ignore The “Common Species”
I have to constantly remind myself that just because a particular bird is common doesn’t mean that it isn’t a worthy photo subject. I seldom post images of species like House Finches, American Coots and Horned Larks simply because they’re ubiquitous and that’s my shortcoming, not theirs.
Magpie – Anticipating Take-off Direction And Getting Lucky
Typically this is a shot I would have missed because I’d have anticipated the wrong direction for take-off.
Prairie Falcon Hunting Grasshoppers In A Storm
Grasshoppers are not typical prey for Prairie Falcons. Studies indicate that the main foods taken are other birds (Horned Larks and meadowlarks are favorites), small mammals and lizards but in a pinch they do consume flying insects, including grasshoppers. This bird was intent on doing just that.
A Collaborative Effort To Protect Nesting Birds
I’m delighted to see government agencies and conservation groups working together to protect vulnerable nesting birds.
Iridescent Magpie In Flight (and an “early bird” of another species)
Before we get to the main event of this post I must report that a pleasant surprise awaited me on Antelope Island yesterday morning.
Yearning For Sage Thrashers
One of the species whose return I most anticipate in the springtime is the Sage Thrasher.
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Chukar Negotiating A Slippery Slope
Chukars prefer not to fly and they don’t like to slip and fall so they’re very careful when negotiating slippery, steep surfaces.
Peachy Female Red-winged Blackbird (and my FOY Swainson’s Hawk)
Male Red-winged Blackbirds are so distinctive in color and pattern as to be instantly recognizable by most but the mottled brown female often goes unrecognized or even mistaken for a large sparrow.
Sage Grouse And Fence Collisions
When Sage-Grouse collide with fences the results are often catastrophic for the birds. And it happens all to often.
The Gray Ghost Gives Me A Second Chance
It isn’t often that I get a second chance at a male Northern Harrier in flight when things don’t work out the first time.
The Balancing Act of Shutter Speed, ISO and Wing Motion-blur
Once again, a little photo-geekiness from me this morning. I know that some regular readers of Feathered Photography (especially those who are photographers themselves) sometimes wonder why I tend to use such fast shutter speeds so I thought I’d attempt an explanation.
The Most Popular Burrowing Owl On Antelope Island
Whenever Burrowing Owls take up residence in a burrow close to the road on the island they quickly become “discovered” and vulnerable.
Meadowlark Take-off (and some of the challenges facing the photographer for shots like this)
Western Meadowlarks are now singing by the gazillion from their elevated perches on Antelope Island so I’m getting some opportunities for take-off shots.
Sage Thrasher Bilateral Wing Display
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.
Note To Self – Don’t Ignore The “Common Species”
I have to constantly remind myself that just because a particular bird is common doesn’t mean that it isn’t a worthy photo subject. I seldom post images of species like House Finches, American Coots and Horned Larks simply because they’re ubiquitous and that’s my shortcoming, not theirs.
Magpie – Anticipating Take-off Direction And Getting Lucky
Typically this is a shot I would have missed because I’d have anticipated the wrong direction for take-off.
Prairie Falcon Hunting Grasshoppers In A Storm
Grasshoppers are not typical prey for Prairie Falcons. Studies indicate that the main foods taken are other birds (Horned Larks and meadowlarks are favorites), small mammals and lizards but in a pinch they do consume flying insects, including grasshoppers. This bird was intent on doing just that.
A Collaborative Effort To Protect Nesting Birds
I’m delighted to see government agencies and conservation groups working together to protect vulnerable nesting birds.
Iridescent Magpie In Flight (and an “early bird” of another species)
Before we get to the main event of this post I must report that a pleasant surprise awaited me on Antelope Island yesterday morning.
Yearning For Sage Thrashers
One of the species whose return I most anticipate in the springtime is the Sage Thrasher.