Yesterday morning in the Wasatch Mountains I was only able to get a single quality image of a bird and this is it. But it’s a species I’ve only photographed once in the past so I was delighted to get it, especially since I like the warm fall background colors as much as I do.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
A Warbling Vireo in my viewfinder is almost as unusual as a whale in the Great Salt Lake but this one landed on an unobstructed perch for a very short time and I got one sharp shot with a pose I like. I’m particularly enamored by that background because I love the softness of both the fall colors (some trees in the area are already turning) and the bokeh. That lovely bokeh is one of the things my lens is known for.
- An explanation about my very high ISO. This shot was taken only moments after the sun came over the nearby mountain to the east so the light was very low and typical of me I wanted plenty of shutter speed in case I got lucky with an action shot. As you’ll soon see, I didn’t.
The reason I only got one sharp shot was because of a rookie mistake. When the vireo landed here I was concentrating on another bird and I knew this one would probably only be there or hold that pose for a heartbeat. In my excitement I pushed the focus button a little too soon so it locked on to something else at first and wouldn’t let go. By the time I was able to refocus on the bird this was the only sharp shot I got before the vireo…
took off 1/10th of a second later. It’s obviously a garbage shot but I decided to show you what happened in the next frame in the burst. No copyright watermark here, so if you want it it’s yours but I wouldn’t bother unless you have a fetish for sharp vireo feet.
This may have been one of my last visits to the “porcupine bush”. The serviceberries are past their prime, nearly all the Yellow Warblers are gone now and few other birds are feeding there. About the only draw that bush has for me now is the fact that the dead porcupine no longer stinks.
But a little further up the road potential gold mines await the bird photographer in the form of ripening elderberries.
Many of the numerous elderberries are just about to ripen up. Don’t they look good enough to eat?
I took this photo a little later the same morning and there were dozens of other berry clusters on the same small bush (about the size of a typical home Christmas tree). And there are many other elderberry bushes in the area, most of them larger than this one.
When these darkest berries turn a deep purple-black and become even a little more plump they’ll be heavy enough that many of the clusters will hang almost upside down and that’s when they’ll be fully ripe for birds and for humans, although I hope birds get every last one of them.
It won’t be long…
Ron
Note: For anyone who may be wondering about my choice of title for this post (in this day and age probably no one but I thought I’d cover my bases) here’s how Wikipedia defines “food porn”:
- “Food porn is a glamorized visual presentation of cooking or eating in advertisements, infomercials, blogs, cooking shows or other visual media. These may be foods…that arouse a desire to eat or the glorification of food as a substitute for sex”.
Yes, I thought those berries looked that good. Almost but not quite good enough to substitute for my chocolate donut. But I always have milk with me to go with my donut and that makes me think of berries and cream – maybe the birds will only get most of them…
You had me at “food porn!” The Vireo is gravy. 😉 I’ve had elderberry wine — kicked my ass big time and at the time I considered myself a seasoned drinker. Gotta stay away from the bathtub brews.
Seriously, the Vireo is gorgeous — including the “throwaway” shot — I love the wing positions!
Thanks, Marty. I do like the phrase “food porn” in certain situations.
I’ve heard some similar stories about elderberry wine (was there also a song mentioning it?) but I have no personal experience with that particular brew.
It’s an old Elton John song. Here’s the first youtube that popped up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EtZoMR4nN8
Yup, that was it. Now I can sleep tonight – probably with an earworm though…
Wonderful little bird with that lighting! 🙂 I’m late! Elderberries aren’t my thing tho I know people like/use them – here they are bird food. 🙂
“Baracuda” – the security my e-mail provider uses – apparently didn’t like the “Food Porn” and it takes many hours before they send the message asking what I want to do about it……….! 😉 Yikes! Knew the post wasn’t there this morning but other things called. Glad it showed up!
Wowsers, Judy – I didn’t even think of that possibility, but I should have. I wonder how many other subscribers had the same thing happen to them…
Always interesting what they take exception to and what they don’t!
mmmm….. Those berries look great. And the vireo is charming, as is the photo of it!
Thank you, Joanne.
That is a beautiful bird and an incredible background. I have heard of elderberry wine (which made Laura’s comment about toxicity and intoxication particularly relevant.
Thanks very much, EC.
I have never seen a warbling vireo. Nice to know what it looks like, thanks!
Around here we eat blue elderberries when they come ripe, have done for decades. As I will be 73 in November, I stand as data opposing the theory.
Apparently there are several varieties of elderberries, Martha. Perhaps they’re not all toxic.
This is our local species, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambucus_cerulea, and it is protected around here because it’s home to a couple of listed butterflies. A distinguishing feature is the pale blue “powder” on the berries. The dried flowers are good for elder flower tea, to bring sleep when you have a bit of a cold or fever. I made some elderberry wine, once, with champagne yeast. We let it age 2 years and upon tasting, labelled it Chateau Face du Merde.
Funny wine story, Martha.
Oh how I’ve missed your blog, but sitting at the computer hasn’t been available for a while. I’m only stealing from the pain for a little time this morning.
Kathy and Ron, thank you for today’s new intelligence about the toxicity of elderberries. I had no idea. But that begs the question whether the same toxicity happens for the birds and/or other critters or whether the elderberries present an intoxicating experience? (Interesting how those two words are intertwined [toxicity and intoxicating] isn’t it?
So very sorry you’re in pain, Laura. I hope it’s a short bout with it.
I loved your observation about those two words!
As an embryonic word nerd I loved your link with toxicity and intoxicating. And hope your pain leaves the building. Soon.
Beautiful shot of the Warbling Vireo. I like the whole thing, including the bird’s personality, which shows up well. I could develop a fetish for Vireo feet… I actually like your garbage photo. And I can hardly wait to see who you photograph on the elderberry bushes.
Thanks, Susan. We’ll see if I get anything on the elderberries. The best laid plans…
I laughed so hard at “a fetish for sharp vireo feet” that I almost spit my coffee all over the keyboard! Warbling Vireos breed in good numbers in my neck of the woods and I miss their lovely song when they’re gone. Thanks again for a beautiful post, Ron!
Good to know you appreciated the humor, Diane. You’re lucky, I rarely see and almost never hear them.
I can’t get over what you call “garbage shots”…I so often love them, including this one! Thanks for all you share! Mary
Most of that bird is way too soft for me, Mary.
Love that shot of the warbler. The background really DOES make the bird pop.
Thank you, Arwen.
Ronn: Nice shot! Love the title – another laugh for the day.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Richard.
That is a wonderful photo! Beautiful bird and beautiful background. Nothing compares with the colors of autumn, I only wish the season lasted longer. Of course the coolness of late fall/winter’s grays, tans, and browns works well also. That particular ‘Food Porn’ is not only for the birds…any serious berry-picker would die for clusters like that. ❤️ I’m thinking some serious elderberry jam and perhaps some elderberry wine would be in order!
Kathy, I thought about adding “people too” to my title but decided it would be a little awkward.
I remember having elderberry jam years ago and liking it but I’ve never tried the wine.
It’s my understanding that elderberries are poisonous to humans (cyanide compounds, alkaloids etc) unless they’re cooked…
That is very true…do not eat raw…cooking destroys the glycosides in the seeds. Actually all other parts of the plant…leaves, stems, roots are toxic. So ‘picker’ beware and that includes all other colors types of elderberries.