![\"black-billed-magpie-0183\"](\"http:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/black-billed-magpie-0183.jpg\" "\\"black-billed-magpie-0183\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a01\/2500, f\/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f\/4, 1.4 tc<\/em><\/p>\n Black-billed\u00a0Magpies are year-round residents of the island\u00a0and they’re in a nesting frenzy right now which allows for some interesting opportunities for the photographer.\u00a0 This bird is landing on\u00a0a bush very near its nest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a01\/1250, f\/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f\/4<\/em><\/p>\n Springtime is my favorite season to photograph Chukars because they’re all dolled out in fresh plumage and they’re very approachable when they’re calling from rocks.\u00a0 For much of the rest of the year they spend their time scurrying around in the vegetation and it’s quite difficult to get a clean shot.\u00a0 This one was calling with a lot of enthusiasm!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a01\/3200, f\/5.6, ISO 500, 500 f\/4, 1.4 tc<\/em><\/p>\n Some of the Loggerhead Shrikes also\u00a0remain on the island\u00a0year-round but their numbers increase noticeably\u00a0in spring.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1\/1000, f\/6.3, ISO 640, 500 f\/4, 1.4 tc<\/em><\/p>\n It’s always a treat when the Long-billed Curlews return to the island and they’ve been back in good numbers for\u00a0over a\u00a0week now.\u00a0 They prefer the short grass areas\u00a0which is a\u00a0big advantage for the photographer because so many areas of the island are covered with thick dried sunflowers, mullein and other vegetation that obscure the birds and make clean shots almost impossible.\u00a0 It’s my working hypothesis that one of the main reasons they like the short grass is their method of take-off.\u00a0 They like to get a running start which would be difficult in areas of higher vegetation.\u00a0 I always enjoy take-off shots like this\u00a0with the wings up to show the beautiful colors there\u00a0and\u00a0I like the\u00a0feet and legs\u00a0in this dynamic running position.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a01\/2500, f\/8, ISO 500, 500 f\/4, 1.4 tc<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0This bird has just lifted off and tucked its legs and feet into a more aerodynamic position.\u00a0 I liked the flight posture here with the head and long bill protruding out between the wings.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a01\/2000, f\/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f\/4, 1.4 tc<\/em><\/p>\n Some Western Meadowlarks also remain on the island year-round, especially during a mild winter like we’ve just had.\u00a0 They’re pretty skittish during the winter though so I’m always glad when their springtime hormones start flowing since they’re much more likely to stick to their perch when you approach as they’re singing.\u00a0 I liked the setting in this shot with the grasses to the right and the color of the Great Salt Lake far off in the background.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a01\/4000, f\/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f\/4<\/em><\/p>\n There are still\u00a0a few\u00a0Northern Harriers hunting the causeway especially in early morning but not as many as during the winter months.\u00a0 This is another image where the lake is in the background.\u00a0 Though this male was slightly past me when I clicked the shutter, the look back I got from him made the shot work for me.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n