The American White Pelican can be found in many parts of Utah. I photographed these birds in the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge where they can be found in the spring and summer months extending into fall when they begin their annual migration.
These birds have a wingspan of 110" (or just over 9 feet!). Pelicans are very social and can be seen cooperating at feeding time. They will collectively drive fish to shallow water where they scoop up their meal with their bills into their gular pouches. They do not dive like their cousins the Brown Pelican.
They migrate from southern wintering grounds in Texas, Mexico and California into Utah where there are a few breeding sites around the Great Salt Lake. They do not feed at the lake as there are no fish in the lake but will take daily journeys in search of fish.
Photographing pelicans can be very enjoyable but also requires great patience. They can be very flighty birds at times, despite their immense size, and at other times do not seem to mind your presence.
Their bright white feathers make exposure difficult in bright sun. In addition to shooting RAW I typically use manual exposure to avoid clipping the highlights. I will on occasion shoot them in AV or TV mode when time does not allow for a proper light reading. In these situations I will set a negative EV (between -1 and -1 1/2 depending on the intensity of the sunlight). When processing, mask the bird before adjusting backgrounds to better balance the scene.
The Black Necked Stilt stands just over 12" tall. Their long pink legs are their trademark and can be seen trailing behind them in flight. In addition to many other areas, they breed in Utah where the chicks can be seen following both parents through the marshes. They spend their winters in the extreme southern parts of the United States into Mexico and as far south as Costa Rica.
They are skittish birds that typically run or fly when approached. With patience they will return if the area is quiet. They will get used to your presence and will continue to feed.
The black and white feathers of the stilt make metering a challenge. If possible, I will shoot these birds in manual mode. If not, I will use the same technique as the pelicans to expose for the highlights.
The Canada Goose is known to most people in the US where they can become pests in urban and suburban areas with water. They have a wingspan of up 50-67" and a voice to match.
They are easily photographed around local parks and golf courses but I prefer to shoot them in the wild. A park does not make an interesting background for a wild goose (although the wild status could be questioned in many cases).
Farming has created areas where the goose does not migrate as far north as historical records indicate. Access to grains in winter months has given the goose a new food source and changed the migration pattern. This particular bird has a leg band which is used to track migration patterns. In many situations where geese are relocated from urban areas, they are banded and released in hopes that they return to a more natural migration pattern.
I photographed this Female Calliope Hummingbird near Current Creek in the mountains of Utah (7,700 ft above sea level). They are very similar to other species of hummingbirds such as the Broad Tailed Hummingbird.
Photographing hummingbirds can be as easy as sitting below a feeder during the summer with a camera pointed upward. I much prefer to find them in the wild where the sights, smells and rush of the capture all add to the experience. While I do appreciate the images of hummingbirds at feeders, they are not much different than a zoo photograph and shouldn't be presented as animals photographed in the wild. Much like game farms, sanctuaries and zoos, animals photographed in these man made situations are fine but lack the satisfaction and grace of Nature.
The Western Grebe can be found in many parts of Utah. Their captivating red eyes and elegant nature make them great subjects to photograph.
They are divers and will surprise you with the distance they cover underwater. They shoot below the water when startled which makes them difficult to photograph from a close range. They never surface where you expect them to.
Their mating display is amazing to watch. They appear to stand on the water where they dance in circles then run along the surface side by side. The young ride on the backs of the parents until they are able to take care of themselves.
This youngster taking an afternoon nap was photographed at the Bear River MBR in early July.
Of the 5 subspecies of moose, the Shiras is the smallest. They stand around 5'9" at the shoulder and weigh up to 1000lbs for a large bull. The Alaskan moose is the largest being around 200-500lbs heavier.
They can be found in many parts of Utah and are a challenge to photograph well. They can be very aggressive and will charge if provoked. Often if they feel threatened they will run from you which doesn't give the best angle for photography.
The Mountain Goat was re-introduced into Utah in the 1960's. Seeing them jump from rock to rock in precarious situations is stressful to watch. Getting to their location to photograph them is a challenge. They prefer to live in the rocky areas above the timberline. Little Cottonwood Canyon is a good place to find them if you are patient and observant.
Their bright white coats are best to photograph in the fall, winter or early spring. During the warmer months they shed their long white fur and are not as attractive.
It is said the greatest threat to these sure-footed animals are accidents.
