I Can Haz Blog

Jun 6

Paradise 10 Minutes from Home

The 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

Click here to download:

Paradise_10_Minutes_from_Home.zip (5597 KB)

Filed under // Big Cottonwood Canyon birding nature utah

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Mar 28

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

Click here to download:

Meadowlarks_Chukars_and_Shrike.zip (331 KB)

Filed under // birding great salt lake nature

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Oct 11

Fall is beautiful at Antelope Island State Park

We 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

Click here to download:

Fall_is_beautiful_at_Antelope_.zip (934 KB)

Filed under // birding great salt lake nature utah wild life

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Aug 12

Yellowstone Getaway

We 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.

Click here to download:

Yellowstone_Getaway.zip (3260 KB)

Filed under // birding nature wild life

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Jul 18

Oh great, Marmots

The 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.