An Unexpected Drama - III. Finale

 

Everything comes to an end, sooner or later. The Sandhill cranes will soon leave the field, only to likely return again. Will they once more face the attacks of the American Avocets? Was this a brief territorial, skirmish, or the beginning of a longer conflict? 

The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge offers abundant food resources. Hopefully, this was just a short-lived dispute—unless, of course, the Avocets are intent on claiming the area as a breeding ground.

Generally, life is good.

Sword Fighting

American White Pelicans do not have dramatic fights but they do occasionally have  disagreements over the food, nesting sites or mates.

The two Pelicans above started argument for reasons unknown to me but it ended quickly. 

Birds snapped their bills at each other and even engaged in a "sword fighting". One of Pelicans spread its wings to look bigger and more threatening.  

But the argument didn't last long, one of the fighters decided to take a nap, and the other opened its beak wide and yawned. The "sword fighting" was over.

Generally, life is good.

Test of Strength

Today I was watching American bison fight on Antelope Island for the first time. I am guessing it was a play fight or these bison were establishing dominance.  

Younger bison may engage in play fighting as a way to build strength and prepare for future battles.  These fights involve headbutting, shoving, and sometimes locking horns.

Bison live in herds where dominance matters. Bulls and even younger males will spar to establish their rank within the group.  

Generally, life is good.

 

Ring-Billed Gulls Fighting Over Fish

 

That early frosty morning I was lucky enough to photograph two Ring-billed Gulls fighting for fish. Their fight started when one of gulls caught a fish (it's on the right). Fishing in winter especially hard because the rivers, lakes and ponds are mostly frozen.

The Ring-billed gull (on the left) was an obnoxious thief, it furiously rushed into fight hoping to steal a fish.

The thief-gull was successful and its aggressiveness ended in a catch.  

It's not  so easy to give up your hard-earned catch.  

The fish is taken back but the chase continues by inertia.

It's unlikely that the thief-gull will try to steal this catch again.  It lost its fight but eventually it may succeed with another victim.  

Life goes on. 

 

Western Willets Are Fighting For Territory

Sometimes birds fight for their territory so viciously that I can only hope that none of the birds will be injured.  

***

The blurry brown bits in the background are brine flies.

Generally, life is good!

Today

Today I left home when it was foggy but the fog usually doesn't stay for a long time in Northern Utah.  Luckily, in less than one hour the sun started to pick out from the behind the clouds from but it was freezing cold morning. May is always so unpredictable. 

The first bird I spotted today at Bear River MBR was a Snowy Egret who happened to be by the road (see the last photo). To my delight, the Egret took off almost right away upon my approach and I started to pan his flight for as long as I could.

It all started like this; The Snowy Egret was peacefully standing on the edge of the road and took off immediately when I got closer to him.  

Generally, life is good!

A Fight

 

It was hard to tell if it was a fight or if it was possible that one of geese was trying to mate.  I am more inclined to think that this was a fight over the territory as the nesting season is approaching and geese become very aggressive about their territory.

Generally, life is good!