On the Road and In Your Backyard

Good Morning All,

On The Road and In Your Backyard is a weekday feature spotlighting reader submissions. From the exotic to the familiar, please share your part of the world, whether you’re traveling or just in your locality. Share some photos and a narrative, let us see through your pictures and words. We’re so lucky each and every day to see and appreciate the world around us!

Submissions from commenters are welcome at tools.balloon-juice.com

 

Enjoy today’s wonders and have a great weekend, see y’all Monday.

 

Today, pictures from valued commenter Albatrossity.

On a recent trip across the western US and back, I spent a day at Bear River Refuge, a stunning migratory bird viewing site on the north end of the Great Salt Lake. I had been there before in the spring, and was excited to get back there again in the early fall. The region had been having a drought, so water levels were lower than usual, and much lower than when I was there before in the monsoon year of 2005! But it was still good to be there, and there were lots of birds, including lots of youngsters hatched out in the previous summer. So here are some bird shots from that day at Bear River.

I also thought I should mention that I have published a 2019 calendar of bird images, Birds of the Flint Hills, available at http://www.lulu.com/shop/david-rintoul/birds-of-the-flint-hills-2019/calendar/product-23851004.html. If you need a calendar, or a Christmas gift, and if you like my bird pics, check it out. As noted here previously, some of the proceeds will be used for donations to ActBlue for the candidates that Balloon Juice gurus decide that we should support. It’s not a calendar of pet pictures, but it’s the next best thing!

Taken on 2018-09-13 00:00:00

Bear River Refuge, Utah

These guys are found across North America in the summer, and are quite entertaining as they bob their tails and prance up and down stream banks and other bodies of water

Taken on 2018-09-13 00:00:00

Bear River Refuge, Utah

Parent and youngster still hanging out together

Taken on 2018-09-13 00:00:00

Bear River Refuge, Utah

This bird was catching fish and calling to a small flock of youngsters to come and get it, but they were on the other side of the dike and seemingly couldn’t figure out how to swim under a bridge crossing to get there. So he just ate the fish, and caught another, and went through the same ritual again.

Taken on 2018-09-13 00:00:00

Bear River Refuge, Utah

American Avocets were abundant at the refuge that day, and one of them was just being ornery.

Taken on 2018-09-13 00:00:00

Bear River Refuge, Utah

Named after one of the leaders of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, this handsome bird is quite similar to the Western Grebe above, but the pattern of white and black on the head is distinctive, and so is the bird.

 

Thank you so much Albatrossity, do send us more when you can.

 

Travel safely everybody, and do share some stories in the comments, even if you’re joining the conversation late. Many folks confide that they go back and read old threads, one reason these are available on the Quick Links menu.

 

One again, to submit pictures: Use the Form or Send an Email