Horned Lark, Denali National Park, Alaska.Canon 1Ds Mark III, 500mm f4L w/2x converter, 1/200 sec. @ f/8, ISO 400 Horned larks are ground nesting birds that move quickly about the tundra collecting insects for their young. While hopefully waiting for the clouds to clear over Denali, I entertained myself photographing a pair of Horned larks…
Male Harlequin duck resting on rocks, headwaters of the Gulkana river, interior, Alaska.Canon 1Ds Mark III, 500mm f4L w/1.4x, 1/2 sec @f45, ISO 100 Harlequin duck males are colorful birds with distinct markings. They favor fast moving water for feeding and can often be found resting on rocks along stream shores. They are attentive birds…
American Dipper fishing underwater – not quite sharp This is a story of attempt, not of success; of progress but not achievement–as I would prefer. On a previous blog I showed a few pictures of an aquatic passerine called the American Dipper, a very fascinating bird that hunts for bugs, grubs and fish underwater. I…
American Dipper hunts for small insects in fast moving water. Canon 1Ds Mark III, 500mm f4L IS w/1.4x (700mm) 1/400 sec @ f8, ISO 400 Closeup crop almost reveals the eye of the bird. The American Dipper is an aquatic passerine. What is that? For those who don’t know, the order of Passeriformes are more…
Great Gray owl in Black spruce trees.Canon 1ds Mark III, 500mm f4L IS with 1.4x converter, 1/500 @ f6.3, 400 ISO It finally happened. While driving along the Richardson highway after a photo assignment, I glanced to my right and saw this owl perched along the roadside spruce trees. It was hunting for voles in…
Northern Shoveler on small tundra pond, Fairbanks, Alaska.Canon 1Ds Mark III, 400mm f5.6L, cropped There is a small pond alongside the road that I pass on my way to downtown Fairbanks. It is an interesting little index of the season. This time of year, many migrating waterfowl show up for an overnight or two before…
Ruffed grouse in Quaking aspen tree, Fairbanks, AlaskaCanon 1Ds Mark III, 500mm f4.0L IS with 2x extender (1000mm), 1/400 sec @ f8.0, ISO 640 While working in my office one day I glanced out the window and saw wings fluttering in the surrounding Aspen trees. It turned out to be a Ruffed grouse, feeding in…
Red-necked grebes nest in many ponds across Alaska. It is also common to see the young riding on the back of the parents for protection. Adults take turns caring for the young and collecting food. Grebes dive for small aquatic animals and fish, and the little ones eat an amazing amount of food. Hours were…
Spruce grouse in Alaska are known to be rather tame, and approaching them is often easy. They inhabit the dense spruce woods and feed on berries and spruce needles. The varied color and pattern in their feathers make them an attractive bird. Males have the distinct red band around the eye. A population distinction between…
Today while taking a break from processing photos taken months ago, I glanced out the office window and saw this Willow Ptarmigan feeding on the grasses sticking through the snow. The office is situated on a south facing slope surrounded by a boreal forest, with plenty of habitat protection for birds and animals. I decided…