Island Time!

Jack and I spent a few hours on Antelope Island today to see what we could see. Just being there is reward enough and anything else is frosting on the cake.
Quite a few shorebirds - black-necked stilts, american avocets and western phalaropes - along with the ubiquitous gulls.  Oh, and one long-billed curlew looking a little lost in all this!
Buffalo were plentiful including a large group with young ones. A few antelope and one prairie falcon.
A fairly warm day out there but a small breeze helped and we truly enjoyed being there.

Looking north to the mainland.

Refuge trip.

A quick trip up to the refuge today to see what was happening. I didn't have time to hang out or search much for the Sandhill Cranes but there were plenty of other subjects for me.

Lunchtime in the marsh.

He blends in quite well.

What did the turtle say to the frog?

a

Non-breeding American Avocet.

Cattle egret.

Back in Town!

One of the many advantages to being back in town is getting to see and listen to our godson play with his bands. Caputo's Deli in Holladay is a Saturday night summer event - and the food is great also. Wonderful evening and so great to see and hear Zach and Ben again!

Another Sunset

But I do not get tired of seeing them. Often I don't photograph, rather just watch. Hard to believe these were both taken the same evening.

Backyard beauty!

Leo and Fuzzy love this top step to sleep and watch over their world.

This plant drapes down a tall pot on the patio and the yellow flowers are so perfect.

Praying Mantis for Katherine!

Katherine is a poet and experienced a praying mantis interaction that led to a poem. So in her honor here is a praying mantis!

Rising Moon, Setting Sun

Excellent opportunities these days for moon photos and for the sunsets across the lake - despite no clouds for drama there is enough pollution that colors are great!

Western Scrub Jay's have found us!

Time for peanuts!  Scrub Jays have found us - so time for peanuts! Love these guys, as obnoxious as they can be!

Beautiful morning sky!

Peaceful

Nature's surprises!

Nature continues to surprise me - sometimes just by looking at the same things differently it seems I have found a whole new world.
Can you tell these are backlit oak leaves?

Lovely trip to Alta

We stayed Saturday night at Alta Lodge and enjoyed the Sunday brunch as part of the package - very good! Diana had arranged for a corner room with a balcony so we had a great view and a cool place to relax.
After brunch we drove up to Albion Basin and back - always an inspiring and relaxing trip. Here's a few of the shots from our time there.

This juvenile Red-tailed Hawk circled us about 3 times as if to make sure I got a decent photo. - This was from the balcony off our room.

How to capture the essence of the setting sunlight on the pine trees?

A classic view of a mid-century modern hallway seating.

Eating brunch and this beauty came by.

Looking down valley.

Goofball deer - she took her time getting across the road.

View from our room up the slopes.

Back to the Refuge

I had a few hours yesterday to visit the Farmington Bay wildlife Refuge and boy, what a day it was!  Firstly you would not see what I saw just riding down the road...that roadshow is pretty barren. But by getting out and really just being quiet, you start to see and hear a lot.
The White Pelicans checked me out on GooseEgg hill, the Sandhill Cranes were visible from there but only if you had stood around and waited for them to fly, the skunks were seen as a result of stalking cranes, etc....
A wonderful day and a great reintroduction to the refuge for me!