Refuge Sunday

 Bald eagles normally arrive around the Great Salt Lake's various wetlands (as well as other locations throughout the state) about the first week in February. They're usually gone sometime in March. Their arrival has been spotty over the last few years, sometimes only one or two show up for the entire time. 

I visited Farmington Bay Wildlife Refuge today to check out if any had shown up yet. While I normally do not go there on weekends (a gift for being retired) next week is iffy on weather and activities. Not only did I see a number of eagles but one heck of a lot of people. Traffic jams at some places as vehicles pulled to each side of the road, which allows one lane traffic down the middle. Can't be in a hurry!

I saw 10 to 12 eagles, some not all that far out on the ice. As usual, one had a fish and the others would like to have it. I only saw adults today, the juveniles will be around soon if not already. Great blue herons were chasing one another around, and the Red-tailed hawk that claims the area around Goose Egg Hill as his was there posing for photographers. What a funny world!!

Enjoy!

GBH in flight

Staying warm in the huddle - and being vocal about all the people around..

Goose Egg Hill Red-tailed...

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk - it was quite curious about me so gave me a chance to capture a few photos.

Here's the Three Stooges - the middle one has a fish between it's feet...

Refuge Thursday

 A sunny morning beckoned me out to the refuge. Much quieter than Sunday, still a number of birders.  Hunting is over which reduces vehicle traffic.

The highlight of the visit was watching a young GBH walk up and down the road just ignoring people and vehicles. It was hunting in the grasses on the side of the road. At one time it was about 5 feet from me and my open window..wishing I had something to tempt it with to see if it would come closer.

Anyway..here's some of the shots from the trip..

Here's a Redwing Blackbird - but with colors on its back that I've never seen.  Perhaps mating colors? Will investigate.

Harriers were out in force again..

A (barely) mature Bald Eagle...

Black-crowned Night Herons...Adult in top photo, Juvenile below..

Here's the juvenile GBH..very cute and self-absorbed..

Backyard Birds

 It's been a busy time for backyard birds...such activity every morning for about 2 hours, then again later in the day. Here's a few of my favorites..

Junco..

House Finch

Spotted Towhee

Antelope Island trip

Diana, Molly and I toured Antelope Island Monday to see what we would see. Well, a few scraggly buffalo and some small birds...not a lot to write home about. Or take photos of. 

Here's the best of yesterday.....

Sagebrush sparrows, juvenile and adult. Quick moving small birds in the sage, they normally go pretty much unnoticed. 

Looking south to the campsites, no campers but lots of bike riders. Lots of smog also..

Late winter buffalo...

Predator

The Northern Harrier Hawk is close to the ultimate flying predator. Its versatility in the air, ability to essentially stand on its head and stop while flying forward, and its low profile are all great assets as it scans the wetlands.  Take time to watch them - they are truly a miracle of Nature..

Refuge Friday

 An early morning visit to the refuige with Randy Friday, wound up shooting photos at 8000 and 10000 ISO due to the lack of light. Many turned out well, thanks to the Denoise AI plugin.

Lots of hawks...Red-tailed and Harriers. A couple of Kestrels joined the fun as well as a juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron along with two adult Herons.  Plus an ice fishing Great Blue Heron..

Several photo enthusiasts out plus a bunch of duck hunters. Turned out to be a nice morning.

Enjoy!

Sunrise on the Oquirrhs..

Played peek-a-boo with this young Red-tailed on Goose Egg hill.

We followed this Kestrel through several stops before he caught his breakfast and waited for us to show up.

Ice fishing when you are a GBH..

Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron

Adult Black-crowned Night Heron

The Kestrel ate its breakfast and waited for us to come back by..

Red-tailed on Goose Egg hill....

New Year's Day refuge visit..

New Years Day was a showoff day for Red-tailed Hawks.  They were everywhere, chasing each other, posing for p photos, and being chased by Kestrels.  Kinda boring after a while. So I watched one turn around on top of a small limb - humorous to watch as it worked hard to not have to fly. But it made it finally, then mooned the watching audience before it flew away. 

Enjoy!

Northern Shrike - beautiful bird..

Very relaxed Red-tailed...

White on white - Tundra Swans on ice..

This is the one I was talking about..

Pintails - elegant and beautiful..