We finally have some green leaves on the rabbitbrush perches on Antelope Island and though I’m sure it’s of no consequence to the birds I enjoy the change from the stark white, sun-bleached twigs of late winter. Yesterday morning I found this Western Meadowlark perched up high on one of them in pretty good light and with a clean background so I couldn’t resist firing away.
1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light
The bird didn’t do much singing (unusual for this time of year)…
1/2500, f/5.6, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light
but it did fluff up nicely and hold the pose for several seconds. I like the textures provided by the erected feathers.
And then it surprised me a little.
1/2500, f/5.6, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light
This is not a wing stretch – you can tell by the blurred wings at 1/2500 second shutter speed that they’re moving much too fast for that. This is actually the split-second that the bird began to lift its wings as it took off. I was lucky to get the shot because this happens too fast for human reflexes to respond to quickly enough – the moment’s over before you can push the shutter. I just happened to click the shot off as it occurred.
What surprised me was the fact that the bird took off while its feathers were still fluffed up – something I don’t believe I’ve seen before. Usually their feathers are fully sleeked down before they launch – for obvious reasons. Perhaps something that I didn’t see startled the bird.
A little thing for sure but I did notice it and it tweaked my interest.
Ron
just discovered this beauty…what a great surprise…like concentrated sunshine…we’ve just had 4 days of much needed rain. Looks like a younger bird…can’t see a complete “V”…I miss their bubbly song!
Superb photographs and love the background to showcase the Meadowlark’s colors. Great timing on the lift-off! It’s amazing that the more you’re in the field and the harder you work the luckier you become! 🙂
Isn’t it wonderful how often we see and learn something new by making the time to watch? A gorgeous bird – thank you.
Dear Ron, Your photographs are truly spectacular, I have loved all I’ve seen, especially the burrowing owls, but then I love owls.
If your Meadowlark sound anything like our Skylark, it would delight the heart, your bird is so much more colourful than ours, pretty indeed.
Sandra
Gorgeous photos! I’m glad you were able to get that last shot – it’s pretty amazing. I’m going to have to make sure we do get to Antelope Island; the more meadowlark photos I see, the more I want to see the birds in person.
I hope you do visit the island, Susan – you’d love both seeing and hearing them.
Juse sensational shots! These guys are so difficult to get. Thanks so much for sharing them.
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
I love the way you can find the most interesting details in a rather ordinary act. Thank you and the meadowlark, one of my favorites.
Tana, that’s one of things I love about bird photography. You often notice things in the photos that you didn’t when you were watching the bird.
My guess is that he/she did’t quite finish morning clean up and like you say was startled into moving.
What a wonderful sequence for my morning. Thanks so much
Diana
That might be it, Diana. When I’m looking through the viewfinder I’m often unaware of things going on around me, like another bird coming in that might have alarmed the meadowlark,
So beautiful, Ron. I thank you for helping to start my day with such beauty.
Thank you, Sharon.
Great shots Ron! I am certainly getting an eduction on Western Meadowlark behavior!! Many thanks!
Thanks, Dick – glad you liked the post.