Golden Cadence

Evening light, still water, and the unmistakable silhouette of avocets. 

 

Notes to Self. Where the American Avocets Have Settled

 

The new temporary auto tour on Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge turned out to be not so bad after all—though I still need to get to know it better.

It’s encouraging to see some birds settling into this new territory, especially the American Avocets. The pelicans will likely never visit—but who knows? Perhaps, out of curiosity, they might stop by.

Generally, life is good.

A Curious American Avocet

Birds are curious creatures, and their curiosity often leads them to new discoveries.  

So the Avocet above decided to check out the stone and if it was suitable for perching and possibly for fishing.

Would it be more comfortable to stay in the middle of a stone?

Or it's better yet stand up tall.

Why not try this more stable pose?  

This way I can search for food without walking through the swamp.

As I watched this curious Avocet I thought how resourceful and persistent this bird was at exploring something new.

Generally, life is good.

 

A Female American Avocet with Her Chick

 

While recently looking through my archives, I came across one of the photos I have never posted before and decided to give it a chance to be here. 

It was a windy and rainy morning on the Bear River MBR when I encountered a female Avocet trying to keep her chicks dry and warm under her feathers.  

When the rain stopped briefly, the chicks left their mother to explore the place but it didn't last long. With mama is always safe and warm. 

Generally, life is good.

Persistence

A brave American Avocet chick, despite the warnings of his parents, decided to cross the most viscous part of the swamp and reach the shore.

It was interesting to watch how slowly this little one moved towards his goal.  He constantly got bogged down in the swamp, stopped for a few seconds, gaining strength and went on.

A few more steps and the chick will be on relatively hard surface.

This сhick has many more adventures ahead of him until he grows up and becomes independent. 

Generally, life is good!

Female American Avocet Protects Her Chicks from the Wind - I.

 

Tomorrow will be the first day of summer in Utah but early this morning a stormy cold wind with rain raged over the Bear River MBR.

My trip was coming to the end when I came across the Female American Avocet who tried to keep her chicks dry and warm under her feathers protecting them from wind and rain.  

Af first, only one chick was hiding under the mother's feathers, but soon another appeared and was eager to join this sibling.

The chick is in no hurry, trying to figure out how to squeeze under mother's feathers.

It's probably more convenient to start right from the center.

The chick is slowly goes down.

The young is almost under the mother's feathers and is trying to get comfortable.

 

   

The mother patiently stood in one spot for almost half an hour until her chicks got out and began to look for food.

It was a true motherly love, tender and caring.

Life goes on.

Nice Landing

 

American Avocets have arrived in Northern Utah a few weeks ago, when it was still cold and it snowed almost every day.  

I was worried about how Avocets were doing but this week welcomed us with the first warm sunny days.  I am sure that these birds are happy that spring has finally arrived.

Life goes on.

American Avocets Huddle Together in a Strong Icy Wind - II.

 

That day weather changed constantly on the Great Salt Lake.  Sometimes the strong wind calmed down a little and the sun appeared from behind the clouds and then it became cloudy again.  

When the sun shone the avocets perked up, the birds raised their heads and looked around.

and then hid their heads and bills in their feathers patiently waiting for the wind die down.  

Life goes on.

American Avocets in a Strong Icy Wind - II.

 

As soon as the strong icy wind subsided on Antelope Island, Avocets came to life. Some of them rose into the air, while others began to flap their wings.

and after a few seconds there were so many Avocets in the air.

Life goes on.

American Avocets Huddle Together in a Strong Icy Wind

American Avocets have made a long migration journey to Northern Utah without knowing what awaits them this early spring.  

Yesterday, an icy strong wind raged on the Antelope island for a couple of hours in the early morning.

Avocets huddled together, waiting for wind to die down.  Some were lucky, they managed to get to the center, where it was warmer, other found place on the edges.

The wind was so strong that my only choice was to photograph birds from the car, using my bean bag to keep my telephoto lens steady.

The Avocets reminded me of Emperor Penguins who also huddle in response to survive a severe wind storms in the icy Antarctic winter. 

An hour later the wind began to subside and the sun appeared from the clouds.  Avocets came to life.  Soon most of them will rise into the air.

Life goes on.

Salty Sunday - II. It's Time to Fly Back

 

From time to time Avocets took off and circled in the air and immediately returned to their babies. It was a warning and at the same time a displeasure that I was nearby.

Avocets are so elegant in flight.

Landing is very careful and well thought out.

The baby is safe and sound. He knows that his parents won't leave him for long.

Generally, life is good!