In the Wasatch Mountains

 

It is still winter there...

Generally, life is good.

In the Wasatch Mountains

 

What a strange, unpredictable winter this year in northern Utah. There is still snow in the mountains, but in the lowlands it feels like early spring.

Generally, life is good.

White Winter - I. Old Barn in the Mountains

 

I am guessing this old abandoned barn has seen better days.

Generally, life is good.

In the Wasatch Mountains

 

The mountain aspens in winter can be mesmerizing. Without the leaves, you can really appreciate the intricate patterns of branches, twigs, and the way they spread out. 

It almost feels like they’re showing off their naked beauty!

Generally, life is good.

Merry Christmas!

 

Snowy Owl was photographed by wildlife photographer Dave L. Clark, on January 2024, east of Calgary.

He took this photo in the last rays of the sun, as he was traveling home.

How I wish I could be there...

Have a beautiful holiday, and may all your Christmas wishes come true.

 Generally, life is good.

Horned Lark in Winter

Horn Larks live on Antelope Island year-round but are not often seen there. 

The last time I was lucky enough to photograph this bird was two years ago in June, 2022.  On that special day, the Horned Lark was kind enough to sing me one of its beautiful songs, but during our recent meeting the bird was silent. The mating season has not yet begun.

Generally, life is good.

Chukar Partridge or Simply Chukar

This morning I encountered a Chukar Partridge in a very unusual location on Antelope Island.  The Chukar was perching peacefully on a rock and for a few precious minutes it allowed me to take a few photos.

Chukars breed in the summer.  During courtship, the male has to show many wonderful qualities to the female in order to win her heart.

He shows that he can be a good provider. He pecks at food and the female may also come to peck at it.
If it doesn't work, the male Chukar tries to show the female what a great singer he is.  Most female Chukars find the male voice irresistible. When Chukars form a pair they remain together through many seasons.
Generally, life is good.

Male Mallard

Male Mallards are gorgeous birds.  They have such lovely colors that sometimes it's so hard not to take photos of them.  

During spring and summer breeding season their colorful plumage helps them to attract females. 

Generally, life is good.

Trees in Winter - IV

There is nothing perfect in nature and everything is perfect.  Trees can twist in the strange ways, bend in the wind, or stand up straight and spread out their branches as if they want to embrace the whole world with them. 

Generally, life is good.

Trees in Winter - III

 

These trees seem a little jumble, but if you take a closer look at them, they are actually harmonized perfectly.

Generally, life is good.

Trees in Winter - II

While looking for interesting trees, I came across a girl and her two dogs.  I thought the background was interesting and the snowy story too.

Generally, life is good.

Trees in Winter - I

 

I found these trees interesting; they were standing in the line, like soldiers on duty.

Generally, life is good.

How do American Bison Survive Winter ?

 

  

When winter sets in and snowstorms cover the desert in deep snow, bison use their heads as a kind of plow to push away the snow and reach the food below.  

You can see frozen snowballs hanging off the bison's mouth together with grass. These animals feed mainly on grass.

 

During the winter,  bison develop thick, wooly coats that protect them from freezing temperatures and harsh winds.  The bison's winter coat is so thick that it provides such effective insolation that the snow does not melt from the warmth of bison's skin.

I photographed these bison yesterday on Antelope Island. Fortunately, the whole day was sunny and without a snowstorm.

Generally, life is good.

In the Desert Before a Snowstorm

The desert before any storm is often dark, dramatic and impressive.

Generally, life is good.

Busy Ring-billed Gulls

 

The gulls are always interesting to observe. Sometimes they get bored and yawn with their beak wide open, like the Gull in the photo above. 

There are times when they are busy looking for fish and often have to fight for it. This especially happens in winter, when their food supplies are scarce. 

Successful catch. Now the most important thing is to find a safe place so that the fish will not be stolen.

A few sips of water and you are good to go fishing again.

Life goes on.

Male Spotted Towhee is Looking for Food

Spotted Towhee is looking for food in the snow.

The seed has been found.

Life goes on.

Disheveled Great Blue

Seeing a disheveled Great Blue heron is always fun and exciting. 

These large birds have so many special feathers on their chest that are constantly growing and tearing.  To clean and preen these feathers the heron uses his middle toe with a fringed claw to remove oils.

Life goes on.

Mating Season is Around the Corner

 

In February I noticed that Canada Geese were starting to form pairs. The courtship of Canada Geese is quiet  peculiar, they stretch their necks high in the air, bobbing their heads, flap their wings and make honking sounds. 

You can see how the male Canada Goose is stretching his neck high in the air, he is very loudly showing his strength and agility to the female.

Eventually, the female began to respond to the courtship invitation.

Canada Geese usually stay together for life. If one member of the pair dies the other goose will mourn for a long period of time.  A young goose that mates during the first year and loses its mate may choose another mate within the same breeding season.

Life goes on.

Great Blue Heron is Landing

 

There is something very special about Great Blue Heron's landing that is always thought very carefully from the beginning till the end.  In preparation to plant his feet on the ice, Heron stretches his legs and feet forward for a soft landing.

Great Blue lands gracefully.  I am sure it's harder to land on ice than soft marsh, but the Great Blues have adapted to our cold winters and learned to land on ice with ease and grace. 

Generally, life is good.

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!