Lark Sparrow Singing And Rousing
Lark Sparrows returned to Antelope Island some time ago but until two days ago I haven’t been able to get any “clean” shots of them. I can partially blame the growth habits of sagebrush for that.
Tag: sagebrush
Western Meadowlark Perched And Taking Off
I love a quality takeoff shot so I’ll put up with a less than ideal perch before the bird launches.
Female American Kestrel In A Setting I Love
Occasionally one of my photos will grow in me the more I reflect on it and this one from yesterday morning is an example.
The Burrowing Owl And The Meadowlark
This Western Meadowlark was decidedly unhappy with the presence of a hunting owl in its territory.
Red-tailed Hawk Taking Off And Coming At Me (11 image series)
It isn’t often that I’m able to keep a raptor in frame and in focus for this many shots during and after takeoff.
Long-billed Curlew On Sagebrush
Sagebrush holds a special attraction for me so I’m particularly fond of images of birds perched on it.
Yet Another Reason Birds Need Appropriate Habitat
It’s well-known that birds need appropriate habitat to survive and thrive, particularly during the breeding season. But they need it during winter too.
Sage Thrasher Rising Out Of Its Namesake Sagebrush
Sage Thrashers – A Hungry Chick And A Dutiful Parent
For weeks I’ve known there was a Sage Thrasher nest in this sagebrush next to the road on Antelope island because of the activity I’ve observed there from the adults.
Anticipating Take-off Angles – Meadowlarks
Avoiding “clipped” body parts is perhaps the biggest challenge associated with take-off shots.
My “First Of Year” Sage Thrasher
Meadowlark In Flight
Yesterday I was able to get a shot of a Western Meadowlark that may be one of my favorite images of a songbird in flight. But there’s a potential flaw that niggles at me…
Short-eared Owl Carrying A Vole In Its Beak (for a change)
I have many images of Short-eared Owls carrying prey in their talons in flight but very few where they’re carrying the prey in their beak. This is one of them.
Sagebrush Perches
For me there’s just something wonderful about sagebrush. In fact, lots of things. When sagebrush is wet its smell is almost intoxicating (at least it is for me). When walking through it that scent comes wafting up and my mind can’t help but wander through old memories and cowboy songs. I love the silvery-gray-green color it lends to a hillside. The presence of sagebrush is essential for many species for nesting, habitat, protection or food. Sage Sparrows, Sage Thrashers and Loggerhead Shrikes nest within the plant and larks, Burrowing Owls and Long-billed Curlews nest on the ground in stands of sagebrush. Sagebrush dominates the diet of the Sage Grouse during late fall, winter and early spring. It also makes for an interesting perch for bird photography even though its growth patterns often put obstructions in front of the bird. Since sage is the dominant plant of the Great Basin in many areas I have regular opportunities to photograph birds perched on it. The various species (Big Sage and Black Sage for example) provide variety in color and leaf shape and sometimes you catch the bird on bare twigs or branches or layers of snow/ice on top of the plant. 1/1000, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc I photographed this Lark Sparrow on sage yesterday – as you can see, the leaf colors are a soft silvery green in early spring. 1/2000, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc And this Loggerhead Shrike is from this morning, with the Great Salt Lake (not sky) in the background. I thought I’d…
Golden Eagle – Some Progress On A Nemesis
Anyone who follows this blog knows that I have a penchant for raptors and over the last 6 years of photographing them I can count on one hand the number of good opportunities I’ve had with Golden Eagles. I had another chance at one yesterday on Antelope Island. I almost didn’t spot this bird because it was hunkered down so far in the sagebrush (here it is standing more erect in anticipation of flight). 1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc I knew that my only chance for a few decent images would be at take-off or just after but the angle of light was a problem – the bird was facing almost directly into the sun. If it veered to its right I’d get butt shots and probably lose the head behind the wings. If it turned to its left the face would be in shadow and I’d get no catch light. What can you do but wait, be ready for lift-off and hope for the best from a less than ideal situation? 1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc Thankfully the eagle launched straight ahead which gave me the best light I could hope for under the circumstances. 1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc For the first wing-beat I got light on the head and a catch light in two images – then the bird turned slightly toward me and that light was lost. I got several more sharp shots with dynamic flight poses but the face was completely shaded. Curses !!! I…
-
Western Meadowlark Perched And Taking Off
I love a quality takeoff shot so I’ll put up with a less than ideal perch before the bird launches.
Female American Kestrel In A Setting I Love
Occasionally one of my photos will grow in me the more I reflect on it and this one from yesterday morning is an example.
The Burrowing Owl And The Meadowlark
This Western Meadowlark was decidedly unhappy with the presence of a hunting owl in its territory.
Red-tailed Hawk Taking Off And Coming At Me (11 image series)
It isn’t often that I’m able to keep a raptor in frame and in focus for this many shots during and after takeoff.
Long-billed Curlew On Sagebrush
Sagebrush holds a special attraction for me so I’m particularly fond of images of birds perched on it.
Yet Another Reason Birds Need Appropriate Habitat
It’s well-known that birds need appropriate habitat to survive and thrive, particularly during the breeding season. But they need it during winter too.
Sage Thrasher Rising Out Of Its Namesake Sagebrush
Sage Thrashers – A Hungry Chick And A Dutiful Parent
For weeks I’ve known there was a Sage Thrasher nest in this sagebrush next to the road on Antelope island because of the activity I’ve observed there from the adults.
Anticipating Take-off Angles – Meadowlarks
Avoiding “clipped” body parts is perhaps the biggest challenge associated with take-off shots.
My “First Of Year” Sage Thrasher
Meadowlark In Flight
Yesterday I was able to get a shot of a Western Meadowlark that may be one of my favorite images of a songbird in flight. But there’s a potential flaw that niggles at me…
Short-eared Owl Carrying A Vole In Its Beak (for a change)
I have many images of Short-eared Owls carrying prey in their talons in flight but very few where they’re carrying the prey in their beak. This is one of them.
Sagebrush Perches
For me there’s just something wonderful about sagebrush. In fact, lots of things. When sagebrush is wet its smell is almost intoxicating (at least it is for me). When walking through it that scent comes wafting up and my mind can’t help but wander through old memories and cowboy songs. I love the silvery-gray-green color it lends to a hillside. The presence of sagebrush is essential for many species for nesting, habitat, protection or food. Sage Sparrows, Sage Thrashers and Loggerhead Shrikes nest within the plant and larks, Burrowing Owls and Long-billed Curlews nest on the ground in stands of sagebrush. Sagebrush dominates the diet of the Sage Grouse during late fall, winter and early spring. It also makes for an interesting perch for bird photography even though its growth patterns often put obstructions in front of the bird. Since sage is the dominant plant of the Great Basin in many areas I have regular opportunities to photograph birds perched on it. The various species (Big Sage and Black Sage for example) provide variety in color and leaf shape and sometimes you catch the bird on bare twigs or branches or layers of snow/ice on top of the plant. 1/1000, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc I photographed this Lark Sparrow on sage yesterday – as you can see, the leaf colors are a soft silvery green in early spring. 1/2000, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc And this Loggerhead Shrike is from this morning, with the Great Salt Lake (not sky) in the background. I thought I’d…
Golden Eagle – Some Progress On A Nemesis
Anyone who follows this blog knows that I have a penchant for raptors and over the last 6 years of photographing them I can count on one hand the number of good opportunities I’ve had with Golden Eagles. I had another chance at one yesterday on Antelope Island. I almost didn’t spot this bird because it was hunkered down so far in the sagebrush (here it is standing more erect in anticipation of flight). 1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc I knew that my only chance for a few decent images would be at take-off or just after but the angle of light was a problem – the bird was facing almost directly into the sun. If it veered to its right I’d get butt shots and probably lose the head behind the wings. If it turned to its left the face would be in shadow and I’d get no catch light. What can you do but wait, be ready for lift-off and hope for the best from a less than ideal situation? 1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc Thankfully the eagle launched straight ahead which gave me the best light I could hope for under the circumstances. 1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc For the first wing-beat I got light on the head and a catch light in two images – then the bird turned slightly toward me and that light was lost. I got several more sharp shots with dynamic flight poses but the face was completely shaded. Curses !!! I…