Utah 2025, Day 2

After Arches National Park yesterday, we stayed overnight in the tiny town of Loa, Utah, and this morning, before the kids got up, my sister and I went out to see who might be around. It was below freezing, for the first time this trip, at sunrise, and it took a while for the local critters to get going, but once they did, they put on a nice show for us.

The first big treat was this sage thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus), our very first, who was quite persistent in getting his message out.

There were also vesper sparrows, lark sparrows, bluebirds, and yellow-rumped-warblers, but the biggest surprise was this yellow cutie. You may be as stunned to learn as I was that house finches, yup, the grey or red birds we see in Estabrook all winter long, can be yellow! I now read that “yellow house finches are frequently seen in the southwest and Hawaii where natural foods are low in some … carotenoids.“

Then it was time to get some breakfast and drive down to Bryce Canyon National Park. On the way, we were passing by a large body of water, Otter Creek Reservoir, and I was trying to make out the birds on the water, when my sister pointed out two large birds in the air, which looked for all the world like pelicans. Wow!

So, we stopped when the road got close to the water, and I hopped out. Sure enough there were a few American white pelicans on the water, which we’ve seen before at Kohler-Andrae State Park. Instead, the bigger surprise was our very first western grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis). What amazing beauties!

Even better, there were a few common loons (Gavia immer), which look anything but common. I once glimpsed them from afar on a canoe trip decades ago, but I’ve never had a chance to photograph one until today. Outstanding!

We eventually had to get back on the road, but the thrills weren’t over yet because just before we rolled into Bryce Canyon City, this darling pronghorn was standing beside the road. Thankfully, my sister, who was driving at the time, saw it first and had the wherewithal to pull over quickly so I could get you this picture. “Thanks, Deb!”

Bryce Canyon was cool, and the scenery is really something to see, but the icing on the cake for me was getting yet another chance at a pygmy nuthatch picture.

Finally, what’s a visit to Bryce Canyon without getting to see a golden-mantled ground squirrel (Callospermophilus lateralis)? Right?

Lastly, your blossom of the day is this curious sight, which I believe is dwarf lousewort (Pedicularis centranthera).

Tomorrow we’re off to Zion National Park, so wish us luck!