Each day as I drive the 12-mile stretch of road between the Bear River Migratory bird Refuge visitors center and the auto tour route, I am greeted by North America’s smallest falcon, the American kestrel, casually perched on one of the fence posts or small trees along the roadway searching for its next meal. Kestrels […]
What Do American Kestrels Eat During Winter? Read More »
Each year, thousands of tundra swans migrate into Utah. This happens not once but twice per year as these majestic birds migrate to and from their breeding grounds in western Alaska during both spring and fall migration. The Bear River Bird Refuge is a major migratory resting place for this western population of tundra swans
Thousands Of Tundra Swans Migrate Into Utah Read More »
It’s a little early, quite a bit early, in fact, but the rough-legged hawk has once again returned to Utah for the winter season. Each year, the arctic tundra and the far reaches of North America sends us a very unique raptor for a few short months. The rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus, migrates from the
Rough-legged Hawks Return To Utah Read More »
The American avocet is a summer staple for the avid bird watcher and photographer on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. I can attest to that as well since a good portion of my summer is spent on the refuge watching and photographing this lovely bird. Last week, we had a brief and a much-welcomed
Photographing The American Avocet On The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Read More »
As a bird watcher, have you ever just sat and watched birds, I mean really sit and observe birds doing the things that they do and be intrigued by it? I have and, in fact, I still do, especially when it comes to bird flight. When I was a kid, many a hot summer day
Why do Birds Fly in Circles? Read More »
Bald eagles are a symbol of our nation’s freedom and prosperity. Personally, for me that is, very few birds instill a sense of pride for our country as well as a sense of accomplishment by our nation’s ability to bring back the bald eagle from the near brink of extinction. This Saturday, February 9, 2019,
2019 Eagle Day at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Read More »
Birds fascinate me, they really do. I have been around birds almost my entire life, in fact. I started raising them when I was about 9 years old and during that same time my father took me on my first bird watching trip to a local wildlife sanctuary. Learning something new about birds and actually
Bird Watching: the Rough-legged Hawk Read More »
If you’re a bird watcher, much like myself, you probably enjoy learning new things about the birds we love to watch. One of the things I recently learned during a bird watching trip is what great blue herons eat and, even more so, how they obtain food in the winter when many waterways are frozen,
What Do Great Blue Herons Eat? Read More »
Great blue herons offer some unique and interesting opportunities for bird watchers and photographers alike. In many areas, they are found year-round, making them a great bird to watch and photograph during the varying seasons throughout the year. But where is the best place and what is the best season to view and photograph these
Bird Watching For Great Blue Herons Read More »
When I think of marsh wrens on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge I almost always think of spring. That is the time of year when they are busy building nests and chattering high atop the dense marsh vegetation for all to see and hear. For the remainder of the calendar, however, they can be
November Marsh Wrens On The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Read More »
For us bird watchers, finding the first of the year of any species is a special moment. Personally, I am the most excited when I find the first of the year birds for long range migratory species, such the tundra swan and rough-legged hawk. The rough-legged hawk is a winter resident on the Bear River
The Rough-legged Hawks Have Once Again Returned to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Read More »
Cinnamon Teal on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Earlier this year, I spent some time photographing cinnamon teal on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge auto tour route. This 12 mile stretch of gravely road gave me an excellent opportunity to photograph this most striking of waterfowl up close and personal. The cinnamon teal
The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge And A Look Back At Some Springtime Cinnamon Teal Read More »
Reflections of an American Avocet from the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge When it comes to bird photography few birds peak my interest like the american avocet. I am fortunate to have these unique yet quirky shorebirds reside so close to me each summer on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. A few weeks ago,
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Cinnamon Teal Have Been Plentiful This Spring On The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Cinnamon teal are one of the most beautiful ducks in nature in my opinion. The drakes are vibrant and very colorful and their spring mating display is quite unique. This year on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge cinnamon teal seem
Reflections Of A Drake Cinnamon Teal Read More »
Thousands Of Barn Swallows Have Returned To The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge If you are like me, you love watching birds and you don’t mind if they are common or rare. Just the mere sight and sounds of birds returning each spring excites us as we get to watch the magic and intrigue of
