Coyote Pair looking forward to Spring

Coyotes do not like to be seen. They blend beautifully into their surrounding so it can be hard to pick them out. Lucky me, I saw what looked to be a dog running fast olong the ridge. I knew it was a coyote, but I have never seen one run like that before. I could not catch a picture he was just too fast. Driving slowly on, I spotted another coyote trotting after the first. Then I saw a third. These two were not in that much of a hurry. I am guessing they were chasing the other fellow away. When the pair of coyotes saw us stopped down on the road, they both stopped. They just stared at us and did not do much. Finally even laying down. I am guessing that is the best way for them to hide. Their colors are so close to the surrounding grasses and rocks, that you only see them when they move. I loved it. I hope a little later to see maybe some cubs. Wouldn't that be great?

Warm June Mornings at Farmington Bay Bird Refuge

Mornings are a time to get clear your head, groom those feathers, and say good morning to your flock.  These pelican's were caught doing just that. I think they really like being with each other. They even seem to snuggle.
 

It is June and love is in the air at the Farmington Bay Bird Refuge. This yellow headed black bird is looking for a mate.  I go to the bird refuge for my own refuge. It is the awesome birds, the quiet,  peaceful, and beautiful songs of the birds. It is also the anticipation that at any moment, I may see something unexpected. I may see the great blue heron fly in close. I may see a water snake pass by, and if I am really lucky maybe a fox and her young.

This snowy egret has a system going. As he walks in the shallow water, he kicks up his feet and stirs up something to eat. He slowly walks around picking up the insects that rise up. If he is lucky he gets a small fish once in a while.
 

I love seeing the snowy egrets at Farmington Bay. They are so white, and their feathers are like beautiful plumes. They are always a welcome sight for me.

June at Antelope Island

Bison on the Island are losing their heavy fur

I have noticed that it is difficult to get a picture of buffalo with their heads up. Being a grazer they walk around with their head in the grass eating. You can wait for one to finally lift his head. Then you can wait a little longer as you wait for him to look up, and maybe in your direction. So these are two pictures out of many that I took, but they have their noses out of the grass. Score!

A Long Hard Winter

Blue sky hopefully signals the ending of a long harsh Winter and the Beginning of Spring.

Winter in Utah this year as been very cold. Snow has been deep and much of the wildlife has suffered. I found the eagles in different places than I usually do. I had just about given up on them. But I did get some good pictures.
Ice has stayed longer on the ponds and water ways also. So their fishing has been harder.
I am able to get out and take pictures of birds and animals and I learn so much more about them. With photographs, I can study them more closely, having the photograph to view them again and closer. I can't think of much I would rather do than this. 
 

 

 

 Winter is not my favorite time of year. It is my least favorite time of year, but even in the cold and dreary settings, there is beauty, the swan below. 

Lunching with Eagles

 

 

 

 

Fresh Sushi
 

 The eagles here are eating carp. As you can see they are surrounded by seagulls. I watched as the seagulls kept trying to steal a piece of fish from the eagles. The eagles appeared to only be slightly annoyed. when it got too much they would chase the gulls off. They even squabbled among themselves for the fish. The eagles are only here for a little while and they continue their migration. It brings fun to a time when there is little out there to look for. I love it.

You can almost hear what this big guy is saying. This is mine! All mine.

Winter Blues

Because it feels like winter has just drug on and on, I find it harder and harder to get out in the areas I need to go to find some wildlife to take pictures. Even the eagles have kept their distance from me. I love the eagles, but I must say, I am looking forward to Spring with more impatience than usual. Thank goodness the Hawks are always here flying low looking for a meal and the good guys they are, they eat a lot of mice.

Pronghorn Antelope Winter on the Island

Antelope Island's beauty.

These pronghorn antelope were a sweet surprise. There they were after the clouds lifted. It is a gift to me, or at least it feels like it is.

This sweet fellow patiently posed for me. I seriously would have like to seen a coyote following him just for drama.

I think he was talking to me.

There was a whole herd of these animals just west of us with the sun behind them. So every picture I took was dark. But then as we drove by, there on the other side of the road with the sun shinning on them were about four or five antelope, and it was beautiful because the sun lit up their coats and just made for a good picture.