I love the process of illustration nearly as much as I love watching birds. Nothing calms my mind more than putting on some music, drinking a full bottle of wine, and losing myself in the exercise of illustrating an avian subject. I will draw until the day I die.
I took this video the other day. At the beginning, you can see the bird reject the intestines of the rodent. Everything else is consumed. It is a bit long, but worth a watch. The hawk gets very animated towards the end. It is quite the treat to view, as a great deal of detail is visible.
I wonder about this bird. In the winter, it is difficult to distinguish visitors from residents. This is a unique looking bird. White on the lores, crown, and supercilium is not common amongst Utah’s western Red-tailed Hawks. Perhaps this is a bird from the north country. One cannot be sure, but it is fun to wonder.
I was out wandering the frozen landscapes of the west the other day. My task to discover the regions wintering eagle population in its entirety all too often warrants views of other creatures that endure the ice and snows of winter. I must be honest and say that I make my best attempts at stifling my urge to digress from my task and take a quick look at those that are other than the eagle. I, all too easily, fail in the exercise. Call it an attention disorder, a lack of conviction, or any other explanation of poor behavior, but I must admit, I am stricken with this ailment.
The other day I came upon, and for the second time, a small group of Gray Partridge. I was giddy. These are a rare sight for me, and as with most small Galliformes, they are quite charismatic. I do feel that I failed in procuring a decent image. No Catchlight, a wildlife photographer’s rookie mistake. I hope Ron does not judge too harshly. I may have failed mainly because both I and the partridge were a bit rushed. Me to get back on the eagle hunt, they to escape the crazed heavily haired human with the imposing lens. We were both on our ways into the world too soon, to meet again, when I do not know.
It has been a harsh winter thus far. Before the deathly cold and snows hit, I found something that really excited me. I was in the middle of the west desert, in the northern part of Utah, and I came upon a flock of Common Redpoll- Cardeulis flammea. This bird is not common in Utah. I hardly expected to find it in the desert, so my excitement was doubled. It was quite the group, nearly thirty or so birds. It was a wonderful surprise, and reminded me that the best birding happens when I am not looking. The surprise is what I treasure in the experience.
ornithologi.com 