One of my very few successes with this species.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Blog followers know that I sometimes review my older image files to see what species I’ve photographed and where I’ve photographed them on this date in previous years as an indicator of where I might find them now. I followed that pattern last night and found this photo of a tiny Blue-gray Gnatcatcher I’ve never posted before. The image was taken two years ago today in Davis County.
For me there’s something special about photos of songbirds that include fall colors as part of the setting. In this case those colors are provided by the scrub oak the bird had been gleaning insects from. Getting this busy little buzz saw to hold still long enough for a portrait was an unusual experience for me because “he” almost never stayed in the same spot long enough for me to lock focus on him.
Any remaining deciduous leaves (of any color) on trees in northern Utah will likely be gone very soon. Today we’re forecast to have widespread snow at all elevations and then as the storm quickly moves out our low tonight will be 9-11° F which will be a new record low in Utah for the entire month of October. The previous record low was 18° 48 years ago.
And it will only be slightly warmer while the trick or treaters are out ringing doorbells on Halloween. I have a feeling I’m going to have oodles of left-over candy.
But it will be chocolate candy so I guarantee it won’t go to waste.
Ron
Correction: This bird is in a fragrant sumac bush, not scrub oak. At first glance it looks like oak but it isn’t…
Your title made me think I was to see a comparison between the breeding and the winter plumage of the gnatcatcher. Since I rarely saw them during the warm months I did not realize how they developed darker contrasting head and backs as opposed to the overall drab appearance. I too enjoy looking back to the same dates in previous years to anticipate which birds I might see.
Gorgeous little bird! I’m so happy you can catch them every once in a while. I call birds like this “blur birds” and that’s with my eyes. LOL
Ron, I like your photo and particularly catch on your comment that you like the chocolate candy left over from the trick-or-treaters. I apologize for not spending time on your blog tonight but love to catch your comment about chocolate [as in doughnut]. It is the simple things in life that give some of us joy [you and me, perhaps]. Thank you, Ron
Very peaceful take on a bird I also have never seen.
If it turns out you have hordes of trick or treaters and run out of candy you can always bag up pieces of that extra manicotti.
We may be eating that last manicotti tonight, Lyle. I’m not kidding.
Love this subtle charmer.
And envy your cold snap. Our weather is warming fast. Too fast. And there have already (in early Spring) been fires in several states.
What we need is an average between our temps and your weather in Oz, EC. Eternal spring. Or fall. Yes, I know that would gum up the works but…
Some world-wide weather moderation would be WONDERFUL. As would some rain…
With these little powerhouses, I often wonder how they can collect enough food to provide the energy they expend, but I guess they’re equipped with little turbo chargers to make it all happen. I don’t think (but don’t know for sure) if I’ve ever seen one of these little beauties in person, so again, thank you for bringing him/her to me!
It was cold in northern Arizona yesterday with the high only reaching into the mid 60s so I got to wear one of my treasured hoodies for the first time of the year. Yes, I realize I was pushing the point, but I live in Arizona now where that is the norm. At least I wasn’t wearing shorts at the same time. 😉
As for Halloween, I live out in the sticks so it’s unlikely I’ll have any trick or treaters. That’s good in my world, since I’m not good at getting up and down and I now have four dogs, two of whom will bolt if given the opportunity. I might have become a Scrooge in my dotage. LOL!
Laura, it’s ironic. When I lived on the farm as a kid I never saw trick or treaters but wanted to. Now the fewer the better but I have more than I prefer…
Guess I’m hard to please.
One of my all-time favorite birds. I have so many 🙂 And so beautifully photographed!
Thanks, Joanne. I rarely see them and when I do they seldom hold still long enough for me to get a photo. This one was an… exceptional exception.
Nice photo Ron and a handsome little guy to photograph in the fall foliage. I have never seen a Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher – pretty bird. We don’t do anything for Halloween here. Our neighborhood is mostly retired folks and very few kids. And then here in Prescott we have a beautiful 3 block section of historical homes on Mt. Vernon Street that is lined with large old trees full of colorful autumn leaves. For many years now all these neighbors have formed a cooperative group who agree to decorate their homes and dress up for Halloween and give out tons of treats. Kids come from all over to participate and enjoy the work these folks put into providing a safe and fun place to celebrate the holiday. Local police participate in traffic control and security.
Sounds like a well organized Halloween in your area, Everett. Some nice folks too.
Catching one of these delightful but flitty little birds sitting still long enough to photograph is a trick. Well done!
We now give fruit and nut granola bars at Halloween because we don’t dare be left with enough chocolate to supply every kid who MIGHT show up!
With the “Treat or Trunk” (not sure I got the name right) events now being hosted by local churches and the Y, we might see only 5 kids–or up to 55.
Thanks, Nancy. Wow, that’s quite a potential range of kid numbers. Ours varies some too but not by that much.
He’s a cutie for sure and the autumn colors really set him off. 🙂 +4 with “breeze” at the moment. Yesterdays storm REALLY made a mess for anyone driving – vehicles of all sizes not making hills, semi connecting with a herd of antelope, pickup and trailer with calves going off a bridge during shipping process. Some foot to 18″ drifts in the yard/lane…….. This is January stuff! 🙁 Montana Outdoors (Nov/Dec) has an interesting article by Ellen Horowitz “Frigid Feather” on birds wintering strategies. VERY interesting/educational. Also an article from “Science” on declining bird populations.
Yup, sounds like the MT I remember. Heard from my cousin on the farm and he has to make it to Kalispell today for some Dr. appointments tomorrow so yesterday he drove the first mile of the dirt road from the farm just to see if he’d be able to get through the snow. He thinks he can but it’s a good thing they’re leaving a day early for the appointment.
Drove for the mail yesterday for the same reason “just cuz” – of course, we don’t have as much snow and I only had about a quarter mile to go. Smart to allow LOTS of time! 😉 Can tell they’ve lived there a LONG time!
Buzz saws, chocolate, snausages, poo-dar and root canals – now that’s the way to jump start the day!
Nowhere else can you get it this good. And the finest in wildlife photography and behavior. And Cheesy Manicotti too!
I guess we do cover some ground around here! Thanks, Dave.
Quite the dapper gentleman. All he needs is the top hat and monocle. 🙂 The backdrop is perfect. This is another one of your shots that I could totally see gracing a set of notecards — I’d love to receive this little guy in the mail.
Haven’t picked up the candy yet. Mama and pups are keeping me pretty busy. Ten puppies was a lot easier when they were still immobile “snausages,” but the cuteness overload, puppy breath, kisses, and snuggles makes it worth it! (Although, I’m still trying to figure out how they ALL manage to walk through the ONE spot in their double x-pen in which one of them has pooped — could it be some sort of puppy “poo-dar?”)
Thanks, Marty.
I haven’t bought candy yet either. I hate going up and down my stairs to answer the door on Halloween because of my bad back but I shouldn’t complain. Last year I probably only gave out about 40 pieces of candy to about a dozen groups of trick or treaters. I have friends in other states who buy 4-5 of those enormous bags of candy from Costco (100-125 dollars worth of candy) and run out of goodies before the “festivities” are over.
Given a choice I’d rather have a couple of root canals.
I love dogs but I’ve gotta say, kisses and snuggles from pups that have stepped in poop doesn’t appeal to me much for some reason… 🙂
Marty K, what kind of puppies? Oh how I love puppies/dogs. They add a grace and a serenity to my life, along with all their shenanigans!