It’s been a while since I published a potpourri post so I figured it was about time. Each of the following 8 images was taken over the last 8 days in places like Bear River MBR, Antelope Island, Farmington Bay WMA or other favorite haunts of mine in northern Utah. The photos are presented in no particular order.
I’ve been a little long-winded in some of my recent posts so today I’ll attempt to keep my narration to a minimum.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 320, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
An American White Pelican lazing away the morning at Bear River. I like the lifted-wing pose and the texture and detail in the whites.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
A male Cinnamon Teal following his lady around at Bear River. I always enjoy photos of mated pairs of ducks in their breeding plumage when both birds are sharp enough. Unlike most dabbling ducks Cinnamon Teals rarely breed in our mid-continent prairie region. Instead they breed primarily in the Great Basin and intermountain regions so I see this species as almost symbolic of my area. I love the unique colors of the male, including his scarlet eyes.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
An Eared Grebe diving for food at Bear River. I enjoy diving photos that include a nice reflection and the water-well at the rear of the bird caused by the dive. Timing these shots so we can still see the eye is a little tricky and involves gobs of luck.
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 120mm, not baited, set up or called in
A Great Blue Heron about to take off, once again at Bear River. This photo has its faults but despite the busy setting I like the reflections of bird and phragmites and even the dramatic sidelight. One of the shortcomings of the image was due to operator error (I backed off too far with my zoom “baby lens”).
1/6400, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
A Sage Thrasher perched on rabbitbrush on Antelope Island. The pose of the bird is a little stiff and I wish we could see the feet and the tip of the tail but my shots of this bird were my first decent ones of the season for the species.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
A White-faced Ibis about to swallow a small, invertebrate tidbit at Bear River. In breeding plumage the face of this species is often truly white, unlike other times of the year when it’s much more subdued.
1/2000, f/8, ISO 320, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
A mama Yellow-bellied Marmot and some of her youngsters in remote Box Elder County. This is a different den than I’ve posted about before so I don’t know for sure how many offspring she had but there were more of them than this.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
A male Yellow-rumped Warbler (butter-butt) in breeding plumage in Box Elder County. In this pose we can’t see his namesake yellow rump but he made up for it by raising his distinctive yellow crown. I took about 500 shots of these birds during my session with them but only kept a handful because of the dense, messy habitats they prefer and their incredible speed and shy habits (catching one out in the clear is very difficult).
There’s no underlying theme with this post – just a bunch of recent birds and a few critters doing their thing. But some readers have expressed their fondness for my “potpourri posts” so it’s something I try to do now and then.
Ron
I always enjoy the stories you tell, but also enjoy the potpourri posts. As I have discovered through your recent posts, the marmots are just plain cute. Of course the birds are enjoyable, too. It’s nice that you posted mostly photos of birds I’ve never seen (including some that I probably never will see).
What a wonderful series Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
Many people have spotted the White-faced Ibis in Central Alberta this Spring, which is causing quite a stir. You have a fine selection of birds here, thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Jane. I’m assuming then that an Ibis in Alberta is quite unusual…
Seeing a White-faced Ibis this far north is rare. usually seen in southern Alberta.
I must say, the grebe photo is my favorite. I can only imagine the skill and luck it must take to take the shot as the bill pierces the water, but has yet to make a splash or have its head fully under. Once again blowing all my photos out of the water! If I haven’t said it enough, lovely shots Ron!
Thanks very much, Xavier. I find it interesting that most folks seem to have different favorite photos in groups of images like this. Tastes are hard to predict but like in most things variety is usually good.
Love all of them Ron. Thanks!
🙂
Oh MY! What a lovely wander through YOUR territory! I’ve never seen a Cinnamon teal before. So pretty! And everybody else in this virtual walkabout is just outrageously gorgeous. Thank you so much! And don’t ever worry about being wordy with me! I LOVE your stories–a LOT!
Male Cinnamon Teals are a pretty unique looking duck, Laura. One of my dream shots it to get a male lifting off out of the water. I’ve tried many times but something always went wrong.
And ain’t that just the way life goes? LOL! Persistence will pay off sooner or later. Giving up is NOT an option for those of us reaching for the stars!
Oooh and ahhh.
Thank you so much for the heart balm.
🙂
Excellent images, like them all. However, Audubon’s Warbler and the teal I probably like the best. The Audubon’s probably because I’ve never seen one. Seen a ton of Yellow-rumps, but no Audubon’s even when we went out West. Someday if I live long enough.
I hope you live long enough to see dozens of them, Dick!
It’s nice to see a collection of photos of birds I rarely see in Missouri. Thanks
Thanks, Jack.
What a wonderful treat on this very dreary day. Loved the male Cinnamon Teal and those eyes. The curious young marmots are very cute following their Mom.
Love your potpourri and glad you decided to post it.
Thank you, Ron
Thanks, Alice. It’s pretty dreary here too this morning although it does seem to be clearing some now (when it’s far too late to go shooting of course…)
Birdpourri! Wheeeeee! They’re all wonderful shots. Kris’ comparison of the GBH shot to a Medieval tapestry is spot on. They’re one of the species whose grace and poise in the air surprises me for some reason. I feel the same way about Pelicans. Mama Marmot (Mommot?) and babies are quite adorable.
I liked your “Mommot”, Marty. You do come up with some good ones.
I love these potpourri collections…the more variety the better…it’s likely that anyone who loves birds, loves all wild places and critters, too….I sure do…..
That’s good to know, Patty. Glad you enjoyed them. Thanks.
I like both the variety and quality. Thanks, Ron.
Thanks on both counts, Nancy.
A little bit of everything beautiful ‼️ Back from vacation and to my routine, coffee in bed and seeing what you’ve got for me😃
Have a great day
Welcome back, Diana. And thanks.
Wow! Love this potpourri. I enjoyed looking at all the photographs in today’s blog. It sure inspires this would-be nature photographer to get outside and shoot… be out there right now If it weren’t for this pesky job 🙂
And I’d “be out there right now” if it weren’t for these pesky clouds, Joanne. As per usual they moved in just in time to screw up my morning shooting plans! Thank you.
Very nice photos Ron. I have taken photos of them all with the exception of the Sage Thrasher. Not sure if we have them here. Held up from heading out this morning by a light rain we had last night and into the morning. Will do nothing for our drought, but at least will dampen down the pollen for a day. Keep showing us these great photos.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
I believe Sage Thrashers are winter residents in your area, Everett. Perhaps they’re not very common though.
Hi there. Just got back from my first visit to Prescott. Loved every part of your town! Yes, you all could use some rain🙂
Diana
This is the first of your ‘potpourri’ postings that I’ve seen…it is a very nice variance to your spotlight ones. I do especially like that Eared Grebe and the take-off stance of the Great Blue…quite an interesting catch.
Thanks, Kathy. I probably publish 2-3 potpourri posts per year, on average.
What a beautiful selection of creatures! The great blue heron shot is stunning. Thank you for sharing.
And to think I very nearly didn’t include that heron photo, Kathleen… Thank you.
Your “potpourri” woke me right up ! I don’t recall ever seeing plumage look shiny-wet–the beautiful male teal. AS for the great blue heron taking off–your “busy” is the first wildlife
portrait I’ve seen that evoked for me a medieval tapestry . The strong side lighting and dynamic posture really popped that beautiful bird off the surface of its very ornate surroundings-
that image is just delicious ! And for dessert, that glowing little “Butter-butt”…….
Loved your comment, Kris.
I really screwed up that heron series because I got a bunch of shots of it taking off and in flight but I cut off the reflection in nearly all of them and it was the added reflection that would have added so much.
Interesting observation about “medieval tapestry”…
Fun! Eye Candy all! The heron is great – have never seen one in that position! Of course I’m partial to them;) The cinnamon teals are also beautiful!
Thank you, Judy. Glad I could provide some “sweetness” for your morning.