I’m a regular reader of Rod Dudley’s Feathered Photography blog.  He does much of his excellent bird photography around Antelope Island and Farmington Bay near his home in the Salt Lake area.  I’ve been hoping to spend some time there so our cross-country trip was a great chance to make a brief stop and scout it out for a more extended visit.

Antelope Island is the largest island in the Great Salt Lake and, though surrounded by salt water, has enough fresh water springs to support an abundance of wildlife. The island is home to a bison herd, mule deer, antelope, coyotes, and a variety of bird species, notably owls, hawks and falcons.

Farmington Bay separates Antelope Island from the northern suburbs of Salt Lake City and much of the bay is part of the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area. The area provides a variety of wetland habitats – fresh water ponds, marshes, saline mud flats and open salt water – essential to resident and migrating birds.

We spent most of a beautiful afternoon exploring the area, enjoying the views of the Great Salt Lake and spotting many species of resident birds and wildlife.  It’s obvious that this area is a great place for bird and wildlife photography (not to mention some stunning landscapes).  Now I just have to figure out when I can get back there!

View from the causeway to Antelope Island: Island in the Great Salt Lake

Looking across Farmington Bay toward the Wasatch Range from shoreline of Antelope Island.

Great Blue Heron in flight, Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area.

Great Blue Heron captures a small fish, Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area.

Western Grebe with a large catch. He actually succeeded in swallowing this fish!