If you visit Antelope Island to photograph birds this time of year your memory card will likely include more images of these three species than any other.
1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Chukars are ubiquitous on the island year-round. I found this one eight days ago just after dawn so light doesn’t get much warmer than this. The bird was sunning on one of the Tintic Quartzite boulders so common on the north end of the island but this time of year they just can’t resist calling occasionally and I always enjoy photographing birds in calling poses.
This profile shot emphasizes their almost comical “rotundness” – the potguts of the bird world.
1/8000, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Sage Thrashers are only on the island in spring and summer but during those seasons we usually have them in good numbers in sagebrush habitat. I photographed this thrasher about four weeks ago as it displayed atop sagebrush. This display, called the bilateral wing display, is difficult to photograph well for a variety of reasons so despite all the out of focus “sticks” in the background I was happy to get this behavior in profile with the wings held so high up.
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 320, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
But for me it’s the Western Meadowlarks that represent the island best. We have a few year-round but most leave for the winter. I’ve traveled the west extensively but I’ve never, ever experienced a location that abounds in so many meadowlarks as Antelope Island. On spring and summer mornings their rich, melodious calls ring across the island and echo off the mountains to the point that my heart sings right along with them. I’ve been known to stop my pickup in a random spot, turn the engine off and get out of the vehicle just to enjoy their wonderful calls. I never tire of them.
I photographed this bird on 5/13/16 as it obligingly gave me a wing lift in profile. I’m particularly happy with the exposure and detail of those bright whites under the wing.
If you visit the island most any time of the year you’ll also likely see Black-billed Magpies and Loggerhead Shrikes, among others, and many additional species can be found along the causeway to the island and at Garr Ranch. But for me these three species are the avian icons of the island.
Ron
Poor Ron. How he suffers. To have a memory card packed with these avian charmers must be soooooo hard to take.
Colour me jealous – and thank you.
It’s a hard life but someone’s got to live it, EC!
An over-inflated chukar, a beautfully fanned-winged thrasher and a sun-splashed meadowlark..what a beautiful Springtime trio and a perfect way to start the day!!! …only wish I could hear the meadowlark’s song!!!
Sounds like you liked all three of them, Patty. A home run for me then…
Just lovely. I know what you mean about the melodic song of the meadowlark. I’ve often stopped just to listen, too. I miss hearing them and so many other western birds. The plan to get back there is beginning to fall in place…soon, the dominoes will begin falling and I’m outta here!
Thank you again for beginning my day with beauty.
I know you’ve been yearning for the west, Laura. I hope your move comes to fruition.
Thanks Ron. The first domino is in place…when they start falling, it will be rapid…before winter!
Quietly following your blog throughout this year, I have put Antelope Island high in my “to do” bucket list. I have your photos burnt into my mind, so just sitting and watching, is all I would need to do. Thank you!!!
The island is a wonderful place, Lydia. It can be hot or cold for birds but there’s usually plenty of other interesting things to see.
All three of these are birds I’d like to see. And these are all beautiful shots of them. (For once, the blurry sticks with the Sage Thrasher are not getting to my eyes, perhaps because the ones directly under the bird are sharp?)
Yup, those sharp twigs help for me too, Susan.
Beautiful shots, Ron. 🙂 Always interesting what birds/wildlife we associate with a “place” that makes us smile.
That’s right, Judy. I also associate SEOW’s with the Centennial Valley though they’ve been pretty darned scarce up there for the last few years.
Wonderful shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Anyone who has your “luck” in finding good subjects, that cooperate by “posing” for you,
should go out, and buy a lottery ticket. I complement you for your efforts to get up early,
and get out in the morning during those few golden hours. I think that light is one of the
factors that adds greatly to the quality of your images. “High noon” shots would just not
be as impressive. We all thank you for your efforts… ;-)))
Roger, If you spend enough time looking for them you eventually run into a cooperative bird or two. I just play the odds. Thank you.
If and when you do go out to get those lottery tickets, please get one for me, too. Of course, I’ll pay you back, and split the winnings 60-40…the 60 for you , since it’s your luck that created success…
I live in “squeaky clean” (ha, that’s a laugh…) Utah, Patty – no lottery tickets available here. I’d have to drive to Idaho and stand in line behind the hundreds of religious Utah folks in front of me who made the same drive, for the same reason.
OK! Bring a book…. 🙂