Male Light Morph Rough-legged Hawk

 

This Roughie was impossible to miss. He was sitting on a sign next to the road and seemed very calm and important.  Some of Roughie feathers were covered with frost, he also was larger than other Rough-legged Hawks I met before.

That freezing cold morning luck was on my side, the hawk was not going to leave his perch and he was not at all disturbed by my presence. It was his territory and no one could encroach on it. 

The Hawk had his morning ritual, he preened, stretched his wings, looked for any suspicious movement on the ground and sometimes was resting.

 

Generally, life is good!

It's Time to Watch Tundra Swans in Norhern Utah - II.

Taking the photos of Tundra Swans I thought what can I tell about these birds. These Swans are slightly larger and relatively long-necked than any goose.

While watching these birds I also wondered if it was possible that one of the Swans with a grayish head was a juvenile Swan and this was its first winter at Bear River.  By the way, its bill was already black and not anymore pink at base.

The Swans most of the time dozed in the company of Gulls but when they awoke they often where looking north and letting me to admire their backs.  Far away were a large group of Tundra Swans and this trinity from time to time were looking in their direction.  

The Tundra Swans were pretty awkward and it's understandable.  It's not fun at all to stand and walk on ice, you have to take all precautions not to hurt yourself.

Generally, life is good!

It's Time to Watch Tundra Swans in Northern Utah- I.

When I saw the Tundra Swans this morning, I could not believe that they were already at the Bear River MBR. I expected them to arrive later, somewhere in early February.

Each year, thousands of Tundra Swans migrate into Northern Utah. Along their journey, the Swans need to rest and recuperate before they continue on.  The Bear River became a perfect place for Swans to rest. 

At the beginning Tundra Swans were dozing and I had to wait for almost half an hour when they would awake.  Standing on the icy bank of the river and waiting, waiting seemed like an eternity, but my patience was rewarded with a few interesting moments when the swans woke up.

At some point a Bald Eagle landed on icy river and I had to stop photographing Swans and walked along the shore to get a few photos of this raptor.

Generally, life is good!

American Bald Eagle at Sunrise

Yesterday morning was very special, I was able to watch and photograph an American Bald Eagle.  It was a long time since my first encounter with this majestic bird.

Bald Eagle is an iconic symbol of America but Benjamin Franklin - the statesman, author, scientist and inventor - preferred the Wild Turkey as a symbol.

"Bald Eagle is a bird of a bad moral character.  He does not get his living honestly", wrote Benjamin Franklin.

What Franklin wrote is true.  Bald Eagles are bullies in the bird world. They are thieves and often steal fish and prey from other birds and in addition they are scavengers. 

Eagles have exceptional vision, they can use their eyes independently and together. It depends on what they are trying to see.  And Eagles see in colors. They also can see with their eyes  close.

Photographing yesterday morning two Bald Eagles (later I saw another Bald Eagle) was once in a life time opportunity.  Who knows when it will happen again.  Hopefully, I don't have to wait another few years before another opportunity will arise.

Generally, life is good!