This Sage Thrasher had a difficult time adjusting its perch in a slight breeze and I liked some of the resulting images.
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
The bird was perched on an Antelope Island sagebrush about three weeks ago and at first it seemed stable enough but…
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
it chose to change its foothold on some of the twigs and the process was precarious enough that it had to use its wings for several seconds.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
It chose one of the thicker twigs and tried to grab it with both feet but it wasn’t easy. It tried to grasp the top of it with its right foot and missed at least once…
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
so it eventually settled on two different twigs, one for each foot. With this arrangement it now had its back to me but the bird did give me a nice head turn to compensate.
It was a minor event in the life of a bird but I enjoy photographing the little things. They all add up to a clearer picture of some of the challenges of their existence.
Ron
Trip Report: I returned home early from our recent camping/photo trip to the Aquarius Plateau of south-central Utah, largely because of windy conditions and a resulting lack of birds. It’s a huge area and I saw some new and beautiful country but birds sure were hard to find. It’s a good thing I returned when I did because within an hour of arriving home I developed a raging toothache. Dentist appointment later today…
He may be clumsy, but these photos are definitely not! Once again, you are a lighting, colour and composition magician/artist/scientist (whichever term you prefer).
That last picture made me grin. “I meant to do that!”
Love that last shot…great pose, great detail…spikey bush provides such nice contrast in color, and texture…and there are those super alert, bright, yellow eyes!
That final shot says clearly to my anthromorphic self ‘you try and balance here buster… I bet you couldn’t do as well as I did’.
And yes, so much of their lives is a huge challenge – and they still sing.
Good luck with the dental issues. Dentists are soooooo not my cowardly and empoverished self’s favourite people.
“‘you try and balance here buster… I bet you couldn’t do as well as I did’”
Ha, you may be right about what it was thinking, EC. I’m amazed that they balance as well as they do.
Sadly dental relief comes at a hugely high cost…have no idea how I’m going to pay…will take a long time..,am swamped with other expenses now too(in the thousands!!!)…feel much like a squashed bug (or, even worse, a vole!!!). I need a bridge, but that’s out of the question by a long shot. Sure hope antibiotics (and probiotics work for you)….will keep fingers, eyes ,arms, legs, and toes crossed for you……tried to cross ears snd nostrils, too, but, in spite of numerous attempts, couldn’t quite get the knack….
Patty, I misspoke in my response below to Susan’s comment. If the antibiotics don’t work they’ll be putting in a bridge, not a crown. I fixed my mistake, below.
Thank you for the good wishes and back at ya!
A bridge…That’s what I thought…I read your mind, not your words…
“…some of the challenges of their existence.” That’s so well put and expresses one of the qualities that makes your blog unique. You don’t objectify your subjects or exploit them; you show respect for them as beings in this world and open a window into their lives for us. And, btw, I appreciate that you always say “not baited, set up or called in.” This is so honorable. Your curiosity, love, and ethical distance are reflected in the beauty of your images. Thank you.
Betsy, your comment touched on several points that are very important to me. Thanks for noticing. And for the kind words.
The eyes have it with these sassy-lokking birds…very expressive! We all “struggle against the wind” don’t we. ( Just had a cracked tooth pulled which caused a painful abcess…You have my sympathy!)….
Their eyes are probably what I like most about this species, Patty. That and their interesting mating displays.
These photos made me smile. And at the same time feel a little sorry for the bird. Hope the dentist gets your tooth fixed well. And quickly.
Thanks for the good dental wishes, Susan. Just got home from my appointment. We’ll try antibiotics first but if that doesn’t work then they’ll yank the tooth and put in a (very expensive) bridge. More camera gear I can’t buy…
I hope the antibiotics work. I know all too well how expensive crowns are. And the bridge I got after opting to have a broken tooth pulled… Personally, apart from the camera equipment issue, I think life tends to be better without toothaches!