A Predatory Song Bird

Loggerhead Shrikes are predatory songbirds with the habits and beak of a raptor.  Although their food consists of large insects they hunt for lizards, small birds and mice.

When a shrike captures a bird or mammal, it immediately bites it behind the head to cut its spinal cord, so even large prey do not struggle for long.

If the prey is too large to consumed at one meal, the shrike hangs it up on a thorny twig or barbed wire fence for another day.

Generally, life is good.  

American Kestrel in January

 

The last time I photographed American Kestrels it was two years ago, and I have not seen another Kestrel since.  It got me thinking, what is going on? Maybe all these wonderful birds are just hiding from me?

This morning, to my surprise, I finally saw this beautiful predator on Antelope Island.  He gave me just a few seconds to get a few shots.  For this I am very grateful to this Kestrel.

Generally, life is good.

American Bald Eagle In January - I.

 

This is one of my favorite photographs. I like the winding bare branches against the snowy mountains, the Bald Eagle perches comfortably on one of those branches.  When I look at the background I see a slowly rotating globe of the earth.

Of course, a slowly rotating globe of the earth is only my imagination that takes me to another universe.  Just for a few wonderful seconds.

I photographed the Bald Eagle at Farmington Bay.

Life goes on.