Western Grebe Back-brooded Chicks (and what’s the function of that red crown patch?)
A trio of Western Grebe chicks on the back of a parent can certainly be eye-catching. And in this case they piqued my curiosity.
Flight Shots, Habitat And Depth Of Field
I’ve said before that plain sky backgrounds in flight shots aren’t my preference. But habitat in the background provides its own challenges for the photographer.
Two Bald Eagle Surprises – One Good, The Other Not So Much…
A Bald Eagle in my own suburban yard in the middle of a big city – yesterday it happened once again! But my delight was tempered by something ominous.
Photo Contracts – The Devil’s In The Details
A recent experience taught me that photographers (and other artists) don’t necessarily have to accept outrageous contract stipulations from “publishers” or lose the deal. There’s another page in that playbook.
Western Meadowlark In The Snow
In northern Utah, anticipating how long our Western Meadowlarks will stick around during winter is always a guessing game.
A Kestrel, A Mouse And The Potential Demise Of Farmington Bay WMA
Yesterday’s post of the Barn Owl with a mouse (instead of a vole) reminded me of this American Kestrel with another mouse, also at Farmington WMA. I’m wondering if mice have now largely replaced microtine voles at Farmington and if that’s not a harbinger of even worse things to come..
One Shot, Two Butts – Three times!
In previous posts of this male Barn Owl I mentioned that he had good hunting success while I was with him. Here’s evidence of that fact – three butt-shots in flight with prey.
Great Blue Heron On Ice
Around here life is tough on our herons when temperatures turn frigid. Finding open water for fishing is almost impossible and nights are long and difficult to survive without much food in the belly
Male Northern Harrier In Flight
Male Northern Harriers in flight have always been one of my favorite subjects. Throw in a menacing stare from those lemon-yellow eyes and you have every chance for an image that holds your attention.
Some Very Odd-looking Pheasants
Ring-necked Pheasants are relatively common in my area and I normally see very little variation in plumage color in them – males look like males, females look like females and that’s about it. But twice I’ve photographed some very strange-looking birds.