Bug and Rodent Killer

This is a Swainson's Hawk which thrives on large insects (grasshoppers, dragon flies, etc.) and, during breeding season, small animals, including mice, rats, bats and other such creatures. They are very fast and graceful in flight and will sometimes hunt in pairs. As you can see from this photograph, they are well camouflaged and can be hard to see if you don't see them land.

THE MOST REGAL OF ALL BIRDS

The Utah Waterfowl Management Area on Farmington Bay is the temporary residence of constantly changing variety of birds. As an landscape and wildlife photographer it offers me countless opportunities to see these beautiful birds up close and in a natural state. I am fortunate, also, that it is only a 10 minute drive from my home! In the last several weeks there have been a plethora of pelicans and bald eagles. One bird that is usually present, but absent so far this year, is the Giant Blue Heron. Maybe they will stop by. I'll be watching!

Stare Down..A Seagull With A Death Wish!

 

Whenever Bald Eagles are feeding, you will find a swarm of California Seagulls present to enjoy the leftovers (California Seagulls the Utah state bird? Yes!). Strangely, contrary to the implication of this post's title, they interact peacefully. Though I frequently see the eagles get into territorial fights, the seagulls hover in close proximity with narry a ruffled feather.

Team Work

 

Pelicans are so interesting. They "fish" as a team, swimming back and forth in the open water in the Farmington Bay like a highly discipined group of soldiers in formation, dipping their heads underwater periodically, most often in unison, and then, when a fish is caught, raising their bills in in the air to swallow their prey.

Two Bald Eagles, One Hapless Fish

Have you ever seen a cat play with a mouse it's caught? Well, I guess eagles do that too! While taking photos as the Farmington Bay Water Fowl Managment area I observed an eagle catch a fish from the open water you see in the background. It then walked a few feet toward me and laid it on the ice and then walked a short distance away from the fish. It was almost as if it was daring anyone (or anything) to take the fish. Sure enough, another eagle was up to the challenge. As you can see, there ensued quite a squabble. The eagle that caught the fish won! After the the aspiring "thief" flew away, the defender again walked away from the fish. I never did see him eat it.

The Passing Storm

For a few hours today the storm that we had been experiencing passed to the east over the Uintah Mountain and the sun came out. I decided to drive over to Farmington Bay to the Wild Bird Reserve to see what was happening. Except for some really muddy roads, not much was going on..I saw only two types of birds: A few ever-present seagulls, and ducks, and ducks, and ducks. (more on that later.) I thought the sun breaking though the clouds as the storm passed over Farmington was quite pretty, and the sun was shining where I was, on the west side of the Bay.

Now, about the absence of birds except for the seagulls and ducks, and ducks and ducks. One photo can't begin to depict the number of ducks that are presently "camped out" on this portion of the Wild Bird Reserve, but this will give you an idea. Apparently the duck season is open now, because there were a dozen or so people launching air boats onto the Bay down on the south end, and I could hear an occasional shotgun going off when I was there. (Sorry Amy, some people shoot ducks!) You have to click on the photo to get the full effect.

The Wild Bird Reserve is only a few miles west of Farmington and it is not visted much by the general public. Good for me...I hate crowds!

What a November!!

Taken on Veterans' Day, November 11, 2008.

A colorful oak brush filters the light from the early morning sun, a scene not to be seen again for another twelve months.

The last couple of days have been kind of gloomy and cold. I think I must take after my mother in at least one respect, and that is that my mood is very much influenced by the weather. I recall many times, on cold, wintery, overcast days, hearing my mother say that she was feeling "blue". (Since my favorite color is blue, and clear skies are blue, I think it would be more appropriate to say you are feeling "gray"!) In any case, I have been trying to hold on to Autumn by taking photos of bright and cheery scenes. A week ago this tree was resplendent in it's Autumn colors. It will soon be bare.

As I have gotten older I have begun to dislike both the intense heat of summer and the bone chilling cold of Winter. Though my favorite season is late Spring, with its new, fresh grass, leaves and flowers, I have begun to become really fond of fall, especially "indian summer", as it is called. I love the vibrant colors of the changing trees and late summer flowers. These photos are my attempt to capture the feeling of this special time of year. (Click on the photo for a closer view!)

Some roses seem too thrive in the cooler Autumn weather.

A neighbor's kitty sits in the window and basks in the indian summer sun.

My grand children, Nick, Brigham and Brooke Griffiths, on an October evening are anticipating Halloween! Though it's not apparent, they are standing in a pumpkin patch.