Tuesday June 12: Under drizzling skies, a small group of enthusiastic birders and photographers met this morning at Andrew Haydon Park. From here we went straight for the Moodie Drive Quarry Ponds where we had Common Tern, Bank Swallow and Belted Kingfisher. At the Richmond Lagoons, we had great views of Black-billed Cuckoo, Warbling Vireo, […]
Do You Consider Cliff Swallows Pests?
Keep your eye on the adult swallow in the top center of the frame in the last few seconds of the video. He or she is grabbed by the beak and pulled right out of the nest! For more more up to the minute news on bird conservation issues, check my “Birds in the News” […]
Plain Brown Bird?? Pfflllt…
I’ve heard people call Willets (Tringa semipalmata) “Plain Brown Birds”, I reckon they may have never seen one looking like this Willet. Yes, Willets have brown in their plumage but they are far from “Plain”. In fact; with their wings lifted, they look pretty dapper in my opinion. I photographed this Willet on Antelope Island […]
Belted Kingfishers Feeding Their Young
I was out at Lema Ranch checking on Bluebird houses Sunday and heard the rattling commotion of the Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon). I turned to see three Kingfishers flying in and around a willow tree overhanging Secluded Pond, one of the five ponds on the property. Click on photos for full sized images. Well, I’ve […]
An American Avocet
I’ve been super busy lately and the extended daylight hours of summer have meant getting up much earlier to be on location before the sun rises. I will do my best to respond to all of the wonderful comments left on previous posts. Yesterday we were out on Antelope Island State Park, the gnats were […]
Raymond’s Morning with a Cheetah
Waking up One fine morning, we are in our luxury safari tents, and my guest George is brushing his teeth, I get up for my morning chores, not knowing the excitement that awaits us. George, David and myself have had a superb tour at this point, we all agreed during our fine dinner the night […]
Farmington Utah’s Voles – Just My Opinion
If you are squeamish, don’t like to see dead animals or can’t stand the sight of blood you may want to skip reading this post. Or you can push pastseeing animals that have died of natural causes and see why I felt it importantto express my opinions about this matter. Recently KSL.com; a Utah news […]
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth
One of nature’s most fascinating creatures is the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth. Native to Cananda and the eastern U.S.A., this insectresembles, and is commonly mistaken for , ahummingbird. At 2.5 inches in length, with a colorful”feathery” body, rapid wingbeats, and feeding on flower blossums during daylight…..it’sname is no surpize! This moth hovers briefly over flowers while […]