[Birdnet] Antelope Island Wren's

[Paul Higgins]

I left work at around 3:00 p.m. this afternoon and headed out to Antelope Island.  I went past the Marina, took a right(as if going to the Admin. Bldg.).  I went west to the first turn off on the right, and went westerly and parked by the dumpster.  I walked west along the path out toward the egg Island overlook.  I stopped at the sign that read: California Gulls on Egg Island.  I left the path and went south westerly down through the large boulders about fifty feet and climbed up on a large boulder and waited.  I pished a little and soon had a Rock Wren within about 10 feet.  I remained very quiet(other than soft pishing) and soon had a Canyon Wren working his way toward me from the west.  I started taking images, the shutter release from my Nikon must have sounded like pishing to the Canyon Wren, he acted very curious and immediatly came closer.  It was absolutely wonderful, I had both birds within ten feet.
   
  Both birds moved off, I continued to wait and watch patiently. In another fifteen or so minutes, a flutter caught my eye as it moved out of the brush, behind a rock. Soon it peeked out and fluttered back into a bush.  I waited and watched.
  Finally I got a quick look, yes, it was a Bewick's.  All three were wintering within about fifty feet of my rock, or is it the wren's rock? I donno.  
   
  I got acceptable images of the Rocky and the Canyon, but the Bewick's(typical Bewick shy behavior) stayed pretty much embedded in the brush.  At one point the Rocky was within three or four feet, the Canyon about ten.
  I was only using a Nikon 300mm F 4.0 lens.  Who say's you need a long lens?  The Rocky and Canyon images were taken this afternoon, I included a Bewick's taken last October in the same general area. 
   
  It's a wonderful place for wren's.  If you go there, move slowly, be quiet, be respectful of their winter home, and enjoy some of God's greatest creatures.
   
  Oh, also,  it's a great place if you want to photograph bunnies.  Be careful you don't step on one. 
   
  http://www.pbase.com/phiggins/image/71548341     http://www.pbase.com/phiggins/image/71548342
   
  http://www.pbase.com/phiggins/image/71548343     http://www.pbase.com/phiggins/image/71548344 
   
  http://www.pbase.com/phiggins/image/70721129
   
  Paul
   
   
   
   

 
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