Kingfisher Never Losing Hunting Concentration During A Stretch
Not even the need to stretch distracted this female kingfisher from her concentration on the pond in front of her.
Tag: nictitating membrane
Belted Kingfisher Stunning, Tossing And Swallowing Prey
A few days ago this female kingfisher landed close to me with a meal so I was able to document the gritty details of the demise of the fish.
A Pheasant, A Bald Eagle And Nictitating Membranes
You can’t tell me that birds don’t become “stickier” (more reluctant to fly and easier to approach) when it’s very cold.
Magpies – They’re Already Building Nests
Magpie Take-off
Black-billed Magpies are difficult subjects but I enjoy the challenge of photographing them.
Magpie Take-off From Nest Sequence
I was able to get five consecutive shots of this Black-billed Magpie as it took off from the top of its dome-shaped nest last spring on Antelope Island.
An Accipiter Preying On Rodents Instead Of Small Birds
Yesterday morning was my first experience with an Accipiter preying on rodents instead of the small birds that they’re best known for eating.
Williamson’s Sapsuckers Attending To Domestic Duties
A whole host of cavity nesting bird species rely on dead and dying trees for their nest holes but when those “snags” are prematurely removed by man the resource disappears and birds suffer.
Red-tailed Hawk Chicks (and my emotional attachment to them)
We’ve been keeping an eye on this Red-tailed Hawk nest in the west desert for about three years now.
Northern Harrier In Flight Over The Great Salt Lake
Occasionally a Northern Harrier will come in close to the photographer as the hawk hunts the narrow confines of the causeway to Antelope Island.
Western Meadowlark – The Scars Of Battle
The song of the meadowlark often stirs fond memories and thoughts of peaceful and melodious spring mornings. But for birds that song represents the tension of competition for territories and females – anything but tranquility.
Perched Barn Owl Actually Doing Something
It’s not often that I photograph a perched Barn Owl doing anything but resting. Opening and closing their eyes is about as exciting as it usually gets.
Eye Defects In Raptors
Over the years I’ve seen a number of birds with eye problems. Some of them appeared to be infections and others injuries but I’m beginning to notice a pattern of symptoms that looks similar from bird to bird – particularly in raptors. I’ve included two examples here.
Is A Hawk Capable Of “Planning”?
I sometimes see hawks buried so deeply in trees that I can’t help but wonder how they’re going to fly out without injury or at least feather damage. They occasionally appear to “think” about their escape route just before take-off, which implies “planning”. Some images I took yesterday brought the question to mind once again – are hawks capable of “planning”?
A Wet, Winking Great Horned Owl Fledgling
I love the half-closed, fuzzy eyelid and the ear tufts or “horns” that are just beginning to form on this young owl.
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Belted Kingfisher Stunning, Tossing And Swallowing Prey
A few days ago this female kingfisher landed close to me with a meal so I was able to document the gritty details of the demise of the fish.
A Pheasant, A Bald Eagle And Nictitating Membranes
You can’t tell me that birds don’t become “stickier” (more reluctant to fly and easier to approach) when it’s very cold.
Magpies – They’re Already Building Nests
Magpie Take-off
Black-billed Magpies are difficult subjects but I enjoy the challenge of photographing them.
Magpie Take-off From Nest Sequence
I was able to get five consecutive shots of this Black-billed Magpie as it took off from the top of its dome-shaped nest last spring on Antelope Island.
An Accipiter Preying On Rodents Instead Of Small Birds
Yesterday morning was my first experience with an Accipiter preying on rodents instead of the small birds that they’re best known for eating.
Williamson’s Sapsuckers Attending To Domestic Duties
A whole host of cavity nesting bird species rely on dead and dying trees for their nest holes but when those “snags” are prematurely removed by man the resource disappears and birds suffer.
Red-tailed Hawk Chicks (and my emotional attachment to them)
We’ve been keeping an eye on this Red-tailed Hawk nest in the west desert for about three years now.
Northern Harrier In Flight Over The Great Salt Lake
Occasionally a Northern Harrier will come in close to the photographer as the hawk hunts the narrow confines of the causeway to Antelope Island.
Western Meadowlark – The Scars Of Battle
The song of the meadowlark often stirs fond memories and thoughts of peaceful and melodious spring mornings. But for birds that song represents the tension of competition for territories and females – anything but tranquility.
Perched Barn Owl Actually Doing Something
It’s not often that I photograph a perched Barn Owl doing anything but resting. Opening and closing their eyes is about as exciting as it usually gets.
Eye Defects In Raptors
Over the years I’ve seen a number of birds with eye problems. Some of them appeared to be infections and others injuries but I’m beginning to notice a pattern of symptoms that looks similar from bird to bird – particularly in raptors. I’ve included two examples here.
Is A Hawk Capable Of “Planning”?
I sometimes see hawks buried so deeply in trees that I can’t help but wonder how they’re going to fly out without injury or at least feather damage. They occasionally appear to “think” about their escape route just before take-off, which implies “planning”. Some images I took yesterday brought the question to mind once again – are hawks capable of “planning”?
A Wet, Winking Great Horned Owl Fledgling
I love the half-closed, fuzzy eyelid and the ear tufts or “horns” that are just beginning to form on this young owl.