![\"bridger](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/bridger-bay-group-camping-area-5320-ron-dudley.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThere are always interesting things to see on the island, some anticipated and some not. Some welcome and\u00a0some not.<\/p>\n
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\u00a01\/1250, f\/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon<\/em> EF-S17-85mm @ 47mm<\/strong><\/p>\n This was the scene at the White Rock Bay group campsite yesterday morning. In all my years on the island I’ve never seen it so jammed full of campers – to the point that tents had spilled out up the slope toward Buffalo Point. All of the other campsites in both campgrounds seemed to be full too. Selfishly, I dislike seeing this much activity on the island because of all the traffic and hubbub it brings. But I doubt that this type of scene will\u00a0play out\u00a0often, if at all, for much of the rest of the summer for one simple reason – the biting gnats (no-see-ums)\u00a0are back!<\/p>\n Two days previously we were eaten alive by those little devils (there was a cold wind yesterday morning that kept them at bay). Their bites are absolutely\u00a0miserable – they often burn, itch and weep fluid for days. They can become infected. They particularly like to bite the ears and unprotected areas near the hairline\u00a0so I’m their perfect candidate because I have acres of ears and little hair!<\/p>\n The island tends to be busy during springtime before the gnats come out but once the word of their activity spreads folks stay away in droves which for me is the only upside to their presence. Insect spray is largely ineffective against them and many an unsuspecting camper’s time on the island has been ruined by them. There’s usually even a sign at the entrance station warning that entrance fees will not be refunded because of the presence of the gnats.<\/p>\n So if you’re planning a trip to Antelope Island soon, beware and come prepared.\u00a0 Wear long sleeves, long pants and\u00a0a hat. Insect spray may or may not help. Insect netting around your head is effective but good luck with that if you’re a photographer! If you’re prone to allergic reactions to insect bites have some Benadryl handy.\u00a0And if you’re so inclined, bring along your entire collection of\u00a0favorite swear words.\u00a0 I call it “itchin’ and bitchin’ season” (among other even less polite monikers…).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a01\/3200, f\/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon<\/em> EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc<\/strong><\/p>\n On a\u00a0more pleasant\u00a0note, the bison are beginning to calve! As calving season approaches, herds of pregnant cows wander off to more inaccessible areas of the island to have their calves which as of yesterday was just beginning.\u00a0This herd of cows, almost a half-mile away from the road, had only about a half-dozen newborn calves (two can be seen here) but within a few days there should be dozens more. The youngsters are red and cute as a button and soon the cows will lead them closer to the roads where they’ll be accessible for photo ops – a welcome reward for the photographer\u00a0having endured\u00a0those damned gnats!<\/p>\n But the highlight of my trip to the island yesterday was an avian surprise.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a01\/4000, f\/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon<\/em> EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc<\/strong><\/p>\n A Merlin! I\u00a0found this little falcon in the grasses perched on bison poop. It was on the “wrong” side of the road so I passed it, then turned around and approached it slowly. Knowing how skittish they are I figured it might fly off before I was able to stop so I fired off a few shots as I approached the bird.\u00a0I was still moving when this one was taken as it watched me. I wasn’t very close to the bird (this image is a large crop) but I was pleasantly surprised by its\u00a0sharpness given my moving photography platform and running engine. I’m sure the fast shutter speed had something to do with that.<\/p>\n I’ve seldom seen Merlins on the island and it’s even more unusual for me to photograph one there so I was happy to get the shot. I’m no authority on Merlin migration patterns and timing but I wonder if this falcon wasn’t a little bit late on its way north.<\/p>\n Ron<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There are always interesting things to see on the island, some anticipated and some not. Some welcome and some not.<\/p>\n![\"bison](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/bison-7665-ron-dudley.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"merlin](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/merlin-7522-ron-dudley.jpg\")
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