Jeff Strong – Page 4 – Bear River Blogger

Three Interesting Facts About Red-winged Blackbirds I Recently Captured With My Camera.

male red-winged blackbird perched on a phragmites plant on the bear river migratory bird refuge

Even though yesterday was a perfect setting for bird photography, a morning with no clouds coupled with great light, my birding efforts on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge auto tour route could only be described as, well, extremely slow at best, something that does happen at times on the refuge during hunting season mind […]

Three Interesting Facts About Red-winged Blackbirds I Recently Captured With My Camera. Read More »

Why Do Great Horned Owls Hoot?

As I pulled into my driveway late last night and turned off the motor the prevailing silence was quickly broken by a loud, spine-tingling sound coming from the tree branch right above my car, it was the unmistakable and very distinct hoot of a great horned owl. This is not an isolated or rare occurrence

Why Do Great Horned Owls Hoot? Read More »

Here’s Definitive Proof Great Blue Herons Are Very Resilient Creatures.

great blue heron standing over a partially frozen ice hole on the bear river migratory bird refuge

When it comes to winter birdwatching there is one scene that, for me at least, fits the definition of an anomaly to a “T” and shows just how resilient great blue herons are in a very frigid winter climate. It is also the absolute number one reason why I visit the Bear River Migratory Bird

Here’s Definitive Proof Great Blue Herons Are Very Resilient Creatures. Read More »

The Google Photos App Is Great For Identifying Butterflies, Too.

checkered white and purplish copper butterflies feeding on a bloomed rabbitbrush.

During summer and early fall, if you happen to cross paths with me as I’m driving the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge’s famous 12-mile auto tour route there’s a very good chance I’m not just looking for birds, per se, but rather I’m also on the hunt for, well, butterflies. Yep, you read that correctly,

The Google Photos App Is Great For Identifying Butterflies, Too. Read More »

The Best Place To View Tundra Swans During Fall Migration Isn’t Actually On The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Itself.

a flock of tundra swans flying low over the bear river migratory bird refuge

If it seems like both my website and YouTube channel are currently focused on tundra swans at the moment that’s because they most certainly are and for a good reason I might add, tundra swans are just an incredible bird to both watch and photograph. The tundra swan fall migration is in full swing right

The Best Place To View Tundra Swans During Fall Migration Isn’t Actually On The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Itself. Read More »

Birdwatching Is Oftentimes Full Of Nice Surprises And Yesterday I Was Treated To A Pair Of Them.

Wilson's snipe standing in the grass on the bear river migratory bird refuge.

There’s an old adage that goes something along the lines of “you never know until you go” and it definitely applies to the past few days of birdwatching on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Even though it is waterfowl hunting season here in Utah and the refuge auto tour route has been somewhat spotty

Birdwatching Is Oftentimes Full Of Nice Surprises And Yesterday I Was Treated To A Pair Of Them. Read More »

Fall Birdwatching For Tundra Swans On The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Is Once Again Underway.

a solitary tundra swan standing in the cattails on the bear river migratory bird refuge.

I won’t beat around the bush with a long intro here but, well, just fess up and come out and say it already I guess. As hard as it is for me to admit, this year as a whole, with the current fall season as a prime example, has been uncharacteristically spotty at best for

Fall Birdwatching For Tundra Swans On The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Is Once Again Underway. Read More »

Do Great Blue Herons Really Have A Third Eyelid?

great blue heron showing its third eyelid, the nictitating membrane

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, learning something new about birds while birdwatching is very rewarding, to say the least. And the only thing better than learning something new about birds is being able to photograph it and share it here on my website, hence the topic of today’s blog post,

Do Great Blue Herons Really Have A Third Eyelid? Read More »

A Very Early Bald Eagle Sighting On The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.

A bald eagle sitting on a power pole on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.

Bald eagles are a definitely winter staple for us birdwatchers who enjoy coming to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge during the months of December through February. Almost daily during the coldest months of the year a few of these iconic raptors can be found on the refuge auto tour route, typically perched out on

A Very Early Bald Eagle Sighting On The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Read More »

Thankfully, My Bird Photography Was Temporarily Interrupted By A Solar Eclipse.

a partial solar eclipse peaking through the clouds on the bear river migratory bird refuge

This past Saturday while heading out to do some bird photography on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge auto tour route, or attempting to at least with such low and heavy light-stealing cloud cover making my blogging efforts seem pointless that particular morning, I was briefly but happily interrupted by, well, a unique solar eclipse

Thankfully, My Bird Photography Was Temporarily Interrupted By A Solar Eclipse. Read More »

Rough-legged Hawks Are Scavengers, Too.

rough-legged hawk flying against a blue sky

I don’t know about other birdwatchers but I do get a little bit excited when I realize winter bird photography is just around the corner. This is especially the case when the rough-legged hawks finally arrive on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in November and can easily be seen on both Forest Street and

Rough-legged Hawks Are Scavengers, Too. Read More »

Is Birdwatching On The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Still Worth It During Hunting Season?

western grebe swimming in the open water on the bear river migratory bird refuge

If you haven’t heard, a new chapter was ushered in today regarding the seasonal cycle of happenings at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, the Utah duck hunting season kicked off at sunrise this morning. And with the start of waterfowl hunting season comes a big question for birders, what is birdwatching like during hunting

Is Birdwatching On The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Still Worth It During Hunting Season? Read More »

Why I’m Still Seeing Unfledged Baby Grebes In October On The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Is A Birdwatching Conundrum.

western grebe with a baby on its back on the bear river migratory bird refuge auto tour route

Today’s birdwatching trip around the 12-mile self-guided Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge auto tour route was nothing short of a headscratcher for me, to say the least. It’s early October, a time of the year when many species of birds have already migrated southward and others are preparing to leave soon. Early this morning, however,

Why I’m Still Seeing Unfledged Baby Grebes In October On The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Is A Birdwatching Conundrum. Read More »

Here’s The Absolute Best Time To Come Home With A Poor Looking Bird In Flight Photo.

american white pelican taking to flight from a canal on the bear river migratory bird refuge

I hope you will excuse the sarcastic-looking title for this blog post. Today was just a very frustrating day for me while trying to photograph birds in flight and I hope this story helps someone else who might be struggling with this particular aspect of bird photography. When I looked out the window early this

Here’s The Absolute Best Time To Come Home With A Poor Looking Bird In Flight Photo. Read More »

Should Farmington Bay Hold A Great Blue Heron Festival?

close up image of a great blue heron showing its head and beak

Every once in a while, and for some unknown reason I might add, my mind likes to go off on a metaphorical hiking expedition of sorts, one where it starts to wander and conjure up ideas and opportunities to help people get more interested in one of my favorite activities, birdwatching. As an example, this

Should Farmington Bay Hold A Great Blue Heron Festival? Read More »