Curlews and Ibis
A hot August day on the Great Salt Lake had the Long-billed Curlews and White-faced Ibis cooling in the shallows, gorging on insects and I'm not quite sure what that Ibis is doing in the last shot, but I love the colors.
I Can Haz BlogThe places I go and things I seeFiled under: natureCurlews and IbisA hot August day on the Great Salt Lake had the Long-billed Curlews and White-faced Ibis cooling in the shallows, gorging on insects and I'm not quite sure what that Ibis is doing in the last shot, but I love the colors.
The Pics I Missed Posting in 2010I was looking back over my photos from 2010 and realized I never posted some of my favorites from this year's adventures. 1) Great Salt Lake Mirror Calm2) Long-Billed Curlew - Antelope Island 3) Bison and Antelope - White Rock Bay, Antelope Island 4 & 5) Coyote in the Grass - Antelope Island 6) Rock Wren Singing - Visitor's Center, Antelope Island 7) White Crowned Sparrow - Visitor's Center, Antelope Island 8) Cordilleran Flycatcher - Garr Ranch, Antelope Island 9) Western Tanager - Garr Ranch, Antelope Island 10) Hermit Thrush - Garr Ranch, Antelope Island 11) Black and White Warbler (rare visitor) - Garr Ranch, Antelope Island 12) Northern Saw-Whet Owl (with prey) - Garr Ranch, Antelope Island 13) Cassin's Finch - South Willow Canyon, Tooele Valley 14) Westen Wood Pewee - South Willow Canyon, Tooele Valley 15) Chipmunk - Big Four Ice Caves, Washington 16) Pacific Wren - Big Four Ice Caves Washington 17) Barn Swallow Chicks and Mother - Garr Ranch, Antelope Island 18) Mountain Bluebird, Strawberry Reservoir, Utah 19) Cooper's Hawk Chicks - University of Utah campus 20) Fall Colors in Silver Fork Canyon, Utah 21) Looking Toward Wasatch Mountain State Park from the Johnson Mill Pond, Midway, Utah 22) Johnson Mill - Midway, Utah 23) Pied Billed Grebe Chick - Johnson Mill Pond, Midway, Utah 24) Red Tailed Hawk - Heber Valley, Utah 25) Fall Colors, East Canyon, Utah
Snow Buntings at Utah LakeFall begins with aspens, owls and a rare gullThis weekend we went to Brighton to see the aspens just turning golden Utah's mountains. The Pica community was active with huge food piles drying for winter and at least 5 of the little critters running around. The high country is just reaching peak colors.
Out on Antelope Island we went looking for owls. Both Great Horned at Garr Ranch perched for us. Nature photographer Paul Higgens pointed out a tiny Northern Saw-whet Owl holding prey and staring at us (new life bird). Amazingly, we also found a Burrowing Owl standing in the open. I was not expecting 3 owl species in one day. We also watched 4 Sabine's gulls - a very rare visitor and probably a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see this bird.
Paradise 10 Minutes from HomeThe snow is finally gone from Little Cottonwood Canyon (at least below 7000 feet). The snow melt poured over the canyon walls in long season waterfalls filling the canyon creek and making it a raging white-water river. An excursion to the old Mormon temple granite quarry brought national park quality canyon views and great bird encounters. The Lazuli Bunting's blue heads glowed in the morning light. I was lucky to spot a little Black-chinned Hummingbird sitting on her tiny nest. We couldn't miss the bright yellows of Western Tanagers and Yellow Warblers. A House Wren even sat and singing while I snapped pics.
When May and June come around, I'm reminded why I love living in Utah with so many amazing natural places so close - some just 10 minutes from my house.
Birds and wildlife:
Mule deer
unidentified lizard
unidentified water snake
Turkey Vulture
Lazuli Bunting
Chipping Sparrow
House Finch
American Robin
European Starling
Black capped Chickadee
House Wren
Swainsons Thrush
Spotted Towhee
Black headed Grosbeek
Warbling Vireo
MacGillivray's Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Western Tanager
Black chinned Hummingbird
Meadowlarks , Chukars and Shrikes
A warm Spring day brought out the Western Meadowlarks on Antelope Island. We also saw a few Chukars and Loggerhead Shrikes. The cool moment for today happened at Whiterock Bay when I was taking a shot of two bison when suddenly and antelope jumped from the brush right into the frame. Other birds sighted included:
Northern Harrier Great Blue Heron Eared Grebe Fall is beautiful at Antelope Island State ParkWe spent Saturday afternoon at White Rock Bay on Antelope Island State Park. The Great Salt Lake was mirror still and the bay was covered with thousands of Eared Grebes. We saw hundreds of American Avocets sweeping for food in the shallows along the causeway (pictured). A few European Starlings were hanging out with (on) the island Bison. Two new birds for us: the Orange Crowned Warbler and the Savannah Sparrow (pictured). As we hiked we spotted a Loggerhead Shrike (pictured on the rocks). We also used our Nikon scope to watch a very entertaining Rock Wren. Other birds seen: Western Meadowlark Red-wing Blackbird Chipping Sparrow Song sparrow White-crowned Sparrow American Pelican Northern Harrier Canada Goose Killdear Willet Raven Yellowstone GetawayWe spent a couple of days camping on Cabin Creek near Yellowstone National Park. The wildlife and scenery is beyond description. From the Osprey floating above and nesting to the big horn sheep on Mt. Washburn to the little pica on Cabin Creek, it was amazing.
Oh great, MarmotsThe snow is finally off Albion basin. We beat the wildflower festival crowds and went up last weekend. At our favorite bird spot a family of yellow bellied marmots were just emerging. We also spotted a new bird for us - the Clarkes Nutcracker. |
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