Notes to Self. Rural Northern Utah

 

Arriving at the North Arm Wildlife Trail, I found a closed gate and a warning that the trail would be closed for several years. This meant that I would not see the Osprey family for a very long time.

Not knowing what to do, I put my telephoto lens on my shoulder and set off along the road where my eyes led and soon I found myself in a small rural town of Eden by the General Store that was built in 1881.  

The store once had an old dance hall on the upper level and a post office on the first floor.

In August 1925, the SunnyField Cannery was opened and went into operation with sixty three people were peeling and canning tomatoes.

My latest discovery was the old green street clock that was built in 1865.  I didn't see for a very long time the clocks like this one and was absolutely delighted with  it.

Generally, life is good.

Second Encounter with an European Starling

When I first saw this Starling at Buffalo Point on Antelope Island,  I thought:  what kind of wind carried this bird high into the mountains.  The second time when I met the same Starling I was sure that this area was his territory.  

I have never been so close to any bird before.  The Starling did not seem to be bothered by my presence.  The little brave bird didn’t even think about flying away.

Generally, life is good.

Mule Deer in September on Antelope Island

 

Seeing and photographing Mule deer is always an adventure that sometimes ends with not so great photos.  But there are times when the deer are not far away,  the background is wonderful and the atmosphere is special.

Generally, life is good!

On the Country Roads - I.

 

A few days ago, I made the decision that I will start driving on the country roads as I did several years ago, and see where they take me.

Today my trip was up North through the Logan Canyon which took me to the Heritage Farm, where I photographed goats, peacocks and chickens. 

By chance, I came across a small house where some lovely women were preparing delicious simple meals.

These women recreated the life of the Pioneers, also known as Mormons. This is their celebration of Pioneer Day which will take place on July 24th in Utah.

A bit of history:

Around 1868, pioneers walked or traveled in wagons through the desert 1,300 miles to Salt Lake City, Utah to establish themselves there.  It was the largest human migration in American history.

Life goes on.

Flying Tundra Swans

 

This winter, with its endless rain and snow I began to believe that I would never see Tundra Swans on the Bear River MBR this year.  

Nature last week had mercy and gave us four sunny days, drying dirt roads quiet well and yesterday I was able to get to the refuge.

The opportunity to see Tundra Swans again gave me not only a joy but also a feeling that there is some certainty in this life.  

Yesterday evening the weather wasn't very cooperative.  There was little light because the sky was overcast and at times there was light rain, and later strong wind started.  

I photographed Swans knowing that quality of the photos would suffer but it didn't matter much.

Life goes on.

Sketches in March - I. Today

Today I saw hundreds of American Avocets on Antelope Island, who gathered in one long line offshore.  It was such a joy to see them after a long and cold winter.

Later, I met a coyote, who crossed the road right in front of my nose. That was so unexpected that I didn't know what to do for the first few seconds. When I grabbed my camera and came out of the car, the coyote was heading into desert.  Following him seemed silly at the begging but it paid off at the end.

Life goes on.

Wild Turkeys in March - II.

Wild Turkey is smart and sensitive bird but it doesn't exactly win over our hearts with its beauty or charm.  

While photographing these interesting birds, I thought that charm and beauty is always in the eye of beholder.  To me these Turkeys are definitely adorable and beautiful. 

 

Life goes on.

Male Wood Duck is Looking for a Mate

There are more males among Wood Ducks than females and this creates a fierce competition between drakes for partners. The drake has to show a female his beauty, readiness to protect from other male rivals and, of course, strength. 

The Wood Duck drake in the photo above displays his beauty in the hope that some nearby female will notice him.

Unfortunately, none of the females appreciated all the wonderful qualities of this drake.  This happens from time to time, the females can allow themselves to be picky; they are in majority. 

Life goes on.

 

Wild Turkeys in March - I.

 

I was photographing a flock of chaotic Wild Turkeys in our local park, and nothing much was happening until one adventurous Turkey left the flock and decided to take a short rest in the snow.  

Suddenly it seemed like an interesting idea to take portraits of Turkeys instead of trying and failing to take photos of the entire flock.

This Turkey ended up next to a pine tree with fresh snow that slightly obscured Turkey's beak, but its eyes turned out to be sharp and this is the main thing.

A Wild Turkey bathes in the sun and enjoys a sunny morning.

Life goes on.

Cedar Waxwing at the Garr Ranch

 

When out in the field I often have the strange feeling that I might be missing something if I don't stop at that spot or go down this path.

As I pulled up to the Garr Ranch, I had no desire to walk there sinking in the deep snow, but I got out of the car anyway and walked along a narrow path surrounded by centuries-old trees.  Knowing myself well, I would definitely think later that because of my laziness I missed something very interesting and important there.

The path was short and soon I found myself surrounded by tall reeds which seemed to be a perfect blind.  

My first thought was that I made a mistake being in this place but after a few minites later I saw several Cedar Waxwings that came to perch on branches with berries.  I was stunned, shocked, because I didn't expect to see Cedar Waxwings in winter at the Garr Ranch.

What struck me most was that I accidentally stumbled upon Сedar Waxwings who usually gather in late August, when breading season ends and fly south for warmer climates.  

Apparently, these birds can be found all year round in northern Utah.  Interesting discovery!

Generally, life is good!

The Willard Bay - I. Ice Fishing

It was still dark and foggy when I left the house determined to find the Willard Bay and the Bald Eagles.  Upon approaching the Willard Bay I saw  a brave family preparing for ice fishing.  

Shooting landscapes with a telephoto lens is always a challenge and frustration for me. Luckily, this morning my telephoto lens performed pretty well.

Later, going along the beach and occasionally glancing at the bay I began to feel that I got into the icy vast desert.  Such an odd feeling...

Life goes on.

 

  

January Sketches - II. Rural Landscapes

 

Today was the first sunny day after a few weeks of rain mixed with snow.  The snow melted and everything around woke up from the sleep.

Life goes on.

It's Time for Bathing - II.

Taking photos of birds in action is exciting but always challenging.  Yesterday was a cloudy day and I needed a lot of light but didn't have enough. I photographed anyway hoping for the best.

 

From the numerous photos I took yesterday I was lucky enough to get a few decent.  They are here.

Bathing sometimes angers others.

How energetic this male Mallard is in bathing.

Life goes on.

His Majesty Has Arrived at Wintering

His majesty the Bald Eagle has been on Bear River MBR for a few weeks now. It can be seen in the early morning and sometimes in the late afternoon on the leaning wooden pole.

Since it's only the beginning of winter, I hope to photograph more Bald Eagles on the Bear River.  I don't mind to photograph them on the same old leaning pole over and over again.  

Every time I see an Eagle it takes my breath away, this raptor has some kind of inexplicable magnetic power.  

Life goes on.

December Sketches -V. Aspens

  

Two weeks ago I came across the tall slender aspens in Snowbasin.  It was snowing.  Snow was falling soundlessly and touching aspens gently.  Everything was so silent, not a single rustle. It seemed that everything was plunged into a winter sleep.

Life goes on.

Male Northern Flicker

A few days ago I encountered a rare opportunity to capture a male Northern Flicker blending wonderfully into his surroundings. His unique camouflage is a survival strategy.  The Flicker's plumage hides him so well against the background of the bark.

Northern Flicker sometimes climbs up the trunks of trees and hummers on wood like other woodpeckers but prefers to find food on the ground.  Ants are Flicker's main food and it digs through the dirt to find them. 

The Northern Flickers are migratory birds. They move south for the winter and only a few of them stay in Northern Utah.  

This Flicker decided to stay in our local park for the winter. Was it a good decision or not?  It's hard to say because all week we had extremely cold days with a lot of snow.

Life goes on.

December Sketches - V. Emotions

It's difficult to say what kind of emotions this young deer shows, its face is very animated as if he wants to say something and doesn't know how.

Life goes on.

December Sketches - IV. Silence

Tall slender aspens.  Falling snow. Silence.  There was no sound in the forest, as if everything was frozen in anticipation that a young elk or deer was about to emerge from the thicket.

 Life goes on.

December Sketches - II. Canada Geese

They appeared from nowhere, heading south, and I had only a few seconds to decide how to photograph them.   

Luckily, I forgot to change my camera settings which were set for overexposure,  and accidentally ended up with a high key minimalistic photo.  To my surprise, I liked the result.

Canada Geese flew past this reservoir where later in winter some brave people will fish on the ice.

Life goes on.

November Sketches - IV. Horses on the Fielding Garr Ranch

The last time I photographed horses was a few years ago.  My passion for birds somehow slowly pushed horses into background.

Yesterday at the ranch I spent almost two and a half hours with horses.  They were lovely, well-groomed and beautiful!

Waiting patiently in line for water.

I was struck how patiently the brown horse was waiting for its turn to drink. 

This sleeping beauty was sleeping in the snow for a long time and only on occasion was raising her head to check what was happening around.

The ranch was deserted yesterday apart from horses and rare birds.  Such solitude took me away from loneliness.  It was like a cure for a short time.  I could forget my grieving self  becoming instead porous and boundless like fog.  But when I hit the road I was again my old self and began to cry.

Life goes on.