Winter photography in Southern Utah, "I love to keep my cameral handy all year"

Winter is one of the main reasons that I live here in southern Utah. While other locations are digging out of the storm, I can grab my camera and enjoy the change in seasons with relative comfort. I have always said that I enjoy "going were the weather suits my clothes" (thank you Nilson). If I want to get into the snow, I can. If I don't, I can still shoot wildlife and landscapes just within minutes of my home. Let me share with you a few of the subjects that I have encountered this winter right here, practically in my backyard.




It is hard to imagine anything more beautiful that Zion National Park and the Kolob Canyons section. As the only National Park that is accessible from a major freway (I-15), you would think that millions of visitors would take the short, 5 mile drive and see the sights. You would be wrong.



The area receives very low visitation annually. You put a little snow on these peaks and add the low light angle and warm color of sunset, and you can come up with a pretty spectacular sight.

You can look at some of my previous, Pine Valley Mountain, post to see other landscapes that were taken close by as well.



Winter here is a great time to photograph waterfowl and other birds. This male wood duck is a good example of the beautiful birds that spend the winter with us.  Tonaquint pond in St. George was the location for this photograph.



This female Buffle head duck was photographed on a private pond near Ash Creek.



This is the male Buffle head. Also photographed near Ash Creek.



This male Mallard in flight landed gently on Tonaquint pond also.



This Red-tailed hawk that I encountered on my way into Toquerville one evening.




I had to stop, turn around and back track to get these photos but it was worth it.



Here is a link to a bald eagle that I was able to find this winter as well.

A good friend of mine and a talented photographer Ron Niebrugge likes to quote Wayne Gretzky in saying, "You miss 100% of the shots that you don't take."   It is certainly true. So get out and take some winter photographs.  If you have any ideas for good places for me to go, please let me know through a comment.