Mybirdshots

Note: I am moving all my bird photography photos over to Instagram. Same ownership, just consolidating. My Facebook bird page will still be there but won’t have the latest photos.

Franklin’s Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) in breeding plumage. Franklin’s Gulls are not to be found on the east coast of the US.

This little House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) was dancing around the branches. It is challenging to follow them around with a camera.

There are 3 “house” birds; House Finch, House Sparrow, and House Wren. Tupixally they get part of their name from the one who first discovered them. But It is unclear in this case how they got their “house” name.

Unless it can be fixed inexpensively, my days of long distance bird photography are over. It appears that there is a large blemish or something in the inside of my 800mm lens which is visible by looking at the lens as well as (and more disturbing) the photo output. I’ve noticed that I’m not getting sharp photos anymore and after doing a closer look, I discovered this. If it can’t be repaired, I am left with my 400mm which is half the focal length. I’m pretty dejected by the whole thing, as I can’t afford a replacement.
😕

This is one beautiful bird I will absolutely miss as they are western birds.

Brilliant Male Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides)

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) upset at something, and it’s not the photographer this time.

Great-tailed Grackles are mainly residents of the southwestern US. Utah is the northernmost part.

Clark’s Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii). A beautiful water bird and skilled diver found in the western US.

Female Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) peeking out through the rushes. Red-winged Blackbirds are year-round residents of most of the US.

Look! up in the sky (now look down in the wetlands foliage)!
It’s a bird (yes)!
it’s a plane (no)!
It’s (SUPER….NO, we already determined it is a bird)! 😊

It’s fun trying to get these LBB (little brown birds) in focus and in an interesting pose.

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

Beautiful Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) with a gorgeous background. Savannah Sparrows are widespread throughout the US.

This is what happens when you don’t have your depth of field set correctly. It’s too bad, but still a nice composition of Mr. And Mrs. Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera).

“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” – Victor Hugo

Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) singing its heart out in the wetlands.

The regal and sometimes appearing to be grumpy and baritone/bass wetlands singer - the Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)

Inhabiting the midwest and western United States - but sadly, not the east. Sigh

Bird - 11.2 oz. vs.
Car - 3585 lbs. (57360 oz.)

The things that birds will do to protect their young. American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana). There’s a human life lesson in there.

Another beautiful bird of the western states (not found in the east)

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) in all its mating plumage glory.

One species of birds that I will miss when we move east in a couple of months.

Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus)

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) singing in the wetlands.

Some studies have shown that female Song Sparrows are more attracted to males who have a large repertoire of songs. Song Sparrows can have up to 20 different melodies.

So there you have it, guys. Have a large repertoire of songs at the ready and the females will “flock” to you (pun intended).

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) letting me know that 30 yards away is still too close.

The “Heron Hotel and Birthing Center” will soon reach “No Vacancy” status this year.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) rookery.

The wetlands are alive with the “sound of music”. My absolute favorite time of the year.

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) and a female Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) hanging out together.

Tundra Swans are heading back to Northern Canada for breeding.

“Ooh, ooh - is that an 800mm lens he’s using?”

Curious White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

This photo of a lone Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) speaks peace and calm to me.

By the way, there are no “Canadian Goose” or “Canadian Geese”. Canada Goose for one and Canada Geese for more than one. 😊

Almost perfect reflection

A pair of Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) foraging along the waters edge to give a great mirror image shot.

Caption this. 😂🤣
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

Can nature predict the Spring season? Here it is the end of February and thousands of American Avocets (Recurvirostra americana) in breeding plumage have already landed in northern Utah. This is the earliest I have seen them. I welcome Spring! 😊

Happy SuperbOWL Sunday.

An oldie but goodie Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)

The always doubly beautiful to look at as well as hear their beautiful music - Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) peeking through the weeds.

It’s always fun to hone my birds in flight panning/following skills on these semi-predictable birds. A beautiful female Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) on the prowl for food.

Female Redhead (Aythya americana) spared from duck hunting season. Not seeing any others, I’m guessing others didn’t fare as well. Such is the life of a waterfowl.