Category: Ethics
Barn Owl Hunting Rodents
I typically go about 10 months of the year without seeing Barn Owls flying in daylight but when snow and extremely cold temperatures arrive they’re often forced to hunt during daytime in order to obtain enough food to survive.
Grebes Eating Feathers (including two graphic images)
Cloning Background Elements – A Slippery Slope
Sooner or later every serious nature photographer must confront the question – How much image alteration during processing is ethically “too much”?
Golden Eagle – My #1 Nemesis Bird. The Curse Continues But Twice I Almost Succeeded
This post is all about abject failure and mediocre (at best) images. But it’s also about the incredible excitement of bird photography.
Juvenile Swainson’s Hawk Take-off
In my experience there’s a huge range in the approachability of juvenile raptors, even among siblings. And overall, Swainson’s Hawks seem to be the most approachable of all. This variability was demonstrated during our trip to Montana’s Centennial Valley last week and once again it made me nervous for the safety of the bird.
Injured Avocet – I’ve Often Wondered What To Do In Cases Like This
Injured birds are always heart-wrenching and I like to help when I can but sometimes attempting to do so isn’t practical or even wise.
Ravens, Crows And An Unfortunate Decision By The Utah Wildlife Board
I’ve always loved ravens. I appreciate their intelligence, their adaptability and their association with myth and mystery in human folklore. I also enjoy their playfulness. But here in Utah the future is not looking bright for our two largest corvid species, the Common Raven and the American Crow.
My Favorite Image From My Time With The Nest-building Kingbirds
Earlier this week I spent several mornings photographing a female Western Kingbird as she was constructing her nest. Out of the many hundreds of shots I took of her the third image in this post is my favorite.
A Couple Of Coyotes And The Utah Mule Deer Protection Act
Two years ago Utah established the Mule Deer Protection Act which provided $500,000 to pay “hunters” $50 for every coyote they kill.
The Honor In Keeping Your Word (or the lack of it when you don’t)
Sadly, it’s not particularly unusual for folks who get free use of my images to not live up to their end of the bargain but I found this one to be more disturbing than most.
A “Bird” Of A Different Feather Along The Antelope Island Causeway
Six days ago I had a rude awakening at the entrance station to the Antelope Island causeway.
Red-tailed Hawk Hunting Voles
In January I spent a few days with this adult Red-tail as it was hunting voles from power poles in Tooele County. Those blasted poles and wires are a real problem for the photographer.
Yet Another Escaped Falconry Bird – White Gyrfalcon
Thursday afternoon a possible Snowy Owl was reported at Mick Riley Golf Course in Murray, Utah. In the end it turned out to be a spectacular white Gyrfalcon.
A Survivor! Last Year’s One-footed Merganser Has Returned
With all the recent bad news about critters suffering and dying at the hand of man it’s so refreshing to come across one who has defied the odds and not only survived, but thrived!