Because it’s springtime.
A short post today. I’ve been posting way too many photos lately – 23 of them in the last two days. Sheesh. I need to remember that more isn’t necessarily better.
1/8000, 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
Yesterday was one of those days. After many hours and many miles spent looking for birds in the west desert I came up nearly empty. Near the end of my efforts that morning this Western Meadowlark had pity on me and allowed a close approach as ‘he’ was singing atop an old weathered fence post. That’s the Stansbury Mountains in the lower background.
His cooperation was short-lived. After about three seconds with him in my viewfinder he took off and of course I clipped a wing in the takeoff shot.
But who doesn’t like a singing meadowlark in springtime so I decided to feature a single photo of him for today’s abbreviated post.
Ron
An afterthought:
OK, here’s a different composition of the same image if you prefer. Since it’s the same photo I’ve still stuck to my guns and only posted a single photo today.
Besides, this version of the photo gives us a better look at something I spotted while I was processing the image. Doesn’t it look like he’s wearing a spiffy black bow tie thrown a little askew by his singing efforts?
Meadowlarks are overlooked by so many. I love this one.
Good. Thanks, Arwen.
First birdsong I was taught to identify, by my father. We lived surrounded by orange groves and eucalyptus windbreaks in Southern California. Has been my favorite bird ever since.
I miss the meadowlarks and their lovely songs.
I would too but thankfully we have a lot of them.
He is all dressed up for prom in a tux.
š
He is SUCH a dapper bird (even with a skew whiff tie). Thank you. Joy is a delightful start to the day.
EC, bringing you joy gives me some of the same.
If you’re going to do a one-shot post, I can’t think of a better one! I’m going with the vertical crop because it seems to showcase Mr. Pavarotti better. š
My own afterthought: I found a 1-minute recording. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRgU4xS06sM
Marty, did you hear the rooster competing with the meadowlark near the beginning of the clip? An audiobomb instead of a photobomb.
I figured he was just saying, “Good Morning,” back to the Meadowlark. š
The Meadowlark sings
his song a cappella,
Tho’ bow tie be crooked,
He’s a fine looking fella.
Does he sing for the ladies,
Or just for the joy?
Or it might be so Ron,
can his lens once employ.
Lyle, you win the Internets today! š ššš
Huge smiles Lyle.
Thank you.
Lyle, if he did it for me he was sure stingy about it. 3 seconds just doesn’t quite cut it…
Great photo! Thanks for telling me about your blog yesterday. Iām enjoying looking at the pictures.Youāre very talented. Getting my hummingbird feeders out today. Take care, Bobbi
I’m glad you made the trip to Feathered Photography, Bobbi. And thanks for making yesterday’s MRI go swimmingly, although I’ll admit I was glad to get those ear plugs into my ears… š
Good luck with your hummers this year. I still haven’t seen any at my feeders this year but then we usually don’t have very many in my neighborhood.
MRI? Shudder. My claustrophobic noise averse self HATES them. I hope you don’t need another, and huge thanks to Bobbi for making a bad experience better.
I don’t mind having an MRI, EC – except for the bad news that usually waits at the other end.
Yellow, black and white never looked so good! Wish you added the soundtrack š
I wish I had one to add, Kathleen.
The bow tie caught my eye at the first glance. Beautiful start to my day. Perfection.
“Perfection”
Close enough for me, Betty.
Love the bow-tie observation!
Thanks, Nancy.
Haven’t heard/seen one yet this year – beautiful shot, Ron. š
I hope you do soon, Judy. To me it doesn’t seem like springtime in MT without singing meadowlarks.
A sure sign of spring. Really enjoy seeing and hearing the Western Meadowlarks. Good observation on the bow tie. Wonderful colors and excellent photos. Glad he showed up to prevent you from being shut out.
Thank you, Everett.
He is the very essence of spring ! Besides his “bowtie”,his exuberant
posture really demonstrates that he’s giving it his all…..maybe it’s just the
receding of the pandemic threat, but I could swear that the dawn chorus
is louder and more enthusiastic than I’ve heard it to be in years– I treasure
another spring of birdsong !
I agree, Kris. Springtime bird song elevates the spirit.
Cant help hearing Leonard Cohen singing “Hallelujah” when I look at this picture! I think I’m aging myself here.
I hear Hallelujah too Porcupine š and Ron, I like the closer-up photo of the crooked and ruffled bowtie best, sort of a Charlie Chaplin charm to him with a white-tailed tuxedo too š
Charlie Chaplin charm indeed.
“I think Iām aging myself here”
Probably not among much of this group, Porcupine… š
Beautiful! I prefer the “step-back” view of the first composition.
Thanks, Joanne.