I discovered Cheney Reservoir online while looking for new places to photograph birds, and it quickly became one of those out-of-the-way places that feels like a find. It is southeast of Grand Junction, quiet, open, and usually free of much activity beyond the birds and the surrounding landscape. In a dozen or so visits, I have encountered other people there only once, which is part of its appeal.

The reservoir itself is shallow, and the current drought has caused it to dry up completely for the summer. When there is water, though, it can be surprisingly productive. I have been struck by the variety of birds that use the area—not just the number of species, but the range of types that show up when conditions are right.

It is always a treat, too, to come across one or more members of the Pronghorn Antelope herd that frequents the area. They add something special to the experience, as if the trip has offered a small surprise beyond the birds I came hoping to photograph.

From the perspective of an amateur bird photographer, one of the special thrills is discovering and photographing a bird I do not recognize. These birds are not necessarily rare, or even uncommon in the region, but they are new to me. More than once, I have had to go home and look up what I photographed. Some of my first encounters at Cheney included Lewis’s Woodpecker, Wilson’s Phalarope, and Blue Grosbeak, all of which are included in the gallery below.

Because of its combination of bird life, open space, and solitude, Cheney Reservoir will remain on my list of favorite places to visit for another photographic adventure. I expect this collection, like the others in this gallery, will continue to grow as I return when the water, season, and light all offer something new.