Refuge Wednesday

Another fine day in the swamplands..Herons seemed to be hiding out but Tundra swans and Sandhill Cranes showed up.
The Cranes were off to the north of Goose Egg Hill, far enough away that when 5 little kids came up to look at them, with the attendant noise, they didn't even blink. Sure are beautiful.
Molly got to chase a ball in the water, which she loves so much she has a very hard time getting back into the car. But finally!
A nice relaxing excursion.

Molly loving it...

The Red-tailed stopped by for a very short visit while I was in the car.

Intriguing beings..

Refuge Monday

A very interesting day at the refuge today. Tundra swans, Sandhill Cranes, Great Blue Herons and lots of pintails.
The swans were out quite a ways on the water and with no sunlight on them, made it a bit hard to get a decent photo. But then they flew around me and what a gorgeous sight! The cranes were hiding out in a secluded area that I had to bushwhack to get to. Fortunately I didn't scare them too much so got a few shots. But I had to shoot through grasses so the final photos are a bit soft. Nevertheless, listening to that ancient call is quite energizing.
Great Blues and a Black-crowned Heron came out, good companions as they will normally ignore you once you stop and settle down.

Here's a few from the day..

Apparently this one decided if he couldn't see me I couldn't see him...

Spring on the way..

Another sunny day and temps in the low 50's. The spring flowers are loving it, tulips and daffodils pushing up, crocus' blossoming.... Very wonderful..

Antelope Island Friday

It started out sunny so off to Antelope Island we went. Chris and Randy had instructions from their better halves to not bring home anymore Bison photos unless they were playing a violin or singing an opera.
Regardless, we did get a few bison photos, along with antelope, Rough-legged Hawk, Great Horned Owls and some mulies. Here's what I liked out of the shots I took today..

The same Rough-legged Hawk was sitting in the same spot as the last time we were there..

A couple of cuties..

Is this the buffalo version of a raspberry????

Incredibly beautiful out there..

Wily showed up - stood around for a while and then walk right towards us...

Two Great Horned Owls at the ranch - this time inside the barn...Very patient as the three of us kept taking their photo.

One last heron

This young one landed on the road in front of my vehicle. It then proceed to hunt for voles and then fly away. I had to open the sunroof and slide up to get photos of hot..

Refuge Monday

Sunshine and blue sky - had to get out for a while. Apparently so did about 25 Great Blue Herons. They were everywhere, with the young ones landing on the road in front of the vehicles!  Very funny. But they are good hunters - saw two of them take voles from the roadside.
A kingfisher greeted me on the way in and the juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron was in it's place at the end of the dike.
Only a couple of Harriers and one Kestrel.  Pretty quiet other than the herons. Plus hardly any ducks..

Here's what I liked..

Day 2

Molly and I went back to the same place as yesterday for starters, but took a different road. Here's some of what we saw on that side of the creek....

Looking east from the LaVerkin Overlook - the apparent paths seem to be the old waterways dug for irrigation purposes, to get the water to the valley.

Yucca..

Leftover leaves..

Halloween rock..

Big shoe rock -

Molly watering herself..

Rocks and water..

Salt on the grasses..

Ever alert.....

Sunshine and a bit of warmth...

Diana, Molly and I are hanging out down by Zion NP.  We needed some sunshine and a bit of warmer weather for a few days.
Coming to this land is always a wonderful trip.  Towering vistas of multi-colored rock, desert plants and sun and shadows at every angle.  We drove towards Grafton, a ghost town by Rockville, and found a place to park and hike. With a stream that Molly could enjoy and stay refreshed.
A good walk later, we had lunch in Springdale and then back to enjoy vacation time with a bit of lie down.
Here's some photos from the day...

The desert sky is so much different than around civilization..

heading towards Rockville....

Do we really need both signs?????

Desert solitaire...

Molly in her element...

The Watcher....

The road to Gooseberry Mesa..not for the faint-hearted ....