Cliff swallows gather on rushes to feed on the seed in late summer. The flock of swallows number in the hundreds containing both mature and juveniles hatched earlier in the year. They are busy consuming the seeds in the heads of the stalks in preparation for their fall migration.
A group of WIlson's phalaropes feed on insects at the water's edge in the Great Salt Lake. Phalaropes are a polyandrous bird species and a single female will mate will multiple males. Unlike most other bird species, female phalaropes are more colorful than the males.
A western grebe shakes off water as part of its morning routine. Grebes are diving birds and spend much of their time underwater looking for fish or crustaceans. Their feathers are waterproof and keeping them in good health is critical to their survival. Here the grebe's feathers had got wet as it preened and the shake was part of its effort to remove the water.
