I think ‘bad hair day’ is an overused phrase but sometimes no other phrase will do.
Followers of Feathered Photography know that I have a soft spot for Green-tailed Towhees. Way back in 1969 they were my spark bird and then when I took up bird photography decades later they were a nemesis of mine for quite a few years before I got any decent photos of them. With their olive green upperparts, gray breast, long greenish tail and distinctive red cap I think they’re the most handsome sparrow I photograph.
At least they can be…
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
but they aren’t always.
I photographed this one in the mountains yesterday morning. Due to molt and the presumed rigors of the nesting season ‘he’ really looks like he’s been through the ringer, especially on his head and neck. His raised red cap looks particularly tough. Usually their cap is sleeked down and looks freshly ‘combed’ but this guy looks like he slept wrong on it all night while he was having nightmares.
Anyway, I chuckled at his appearance when I saw him through my viewfinder so I thought I’d give my readers the same opportunity.
Ron
Definitely a bad feather day. Bad, bad, feathers. I even feel guilty for smiling.
I am thrilled that your smoke saturation has improved.
“I am thrilled that your smoke saturation has improved.”
So am I, EC. But I’m sure it won’t last long. It’s already getting a little worse again.
I empathize…EVERY DAY IS A BAD HAIR DAY FOR ME,,,
Patty, the only reason that isn’t the case with me is that I don’t have a lot of hair left…
I love bad hair days on birds!!! That one is awesome!
Thanks, Dolores.
As Lyle said, bad hangover. After a late night in a Montana bar. Very funny photo. Even his eyes look weary.
“After a late night in a Montana bar.”
Bingo, Kathryn! I’ve had a few of those late nights in Montana bars and you hit that nail on the head.
Lol! How about “post-kerfuffle with neighbor?”
That’s always a possibility.
😍 Bad hair day indeed! Quite the contrast to their usual appearance!
Agreed. It took me aback.
Sure DOES look like a tiny rooster !
I see it too.
Love that photo. I don’t see him as the morning after, I see him as pumped up and ready to rumble.
Ha, in the shape he’s in I don’t think his rumble would amount to much…
Looks like a rooster comb! LOL 🙂
It sure does. A little like Woody Woodpecker too I think.
The seviceberries must be fermenting, ‘cause this looks like an epic hangover. Seems a bit bleary-eyed, too. I’m definitely anthropomorphising here; replace that beak with lips and its a reasonable semblance of me the morning after.
I’ve looked like that for that very reason, Lyle. Thankfully I learned my lesson so it’s been many years since the last time (probably when I was in my mid-twenties).
What a joy to see this photo this morning! They would certainly be one of my favorites if we were lucky enough to have them visit here. Thanks for sharing his ‘bad hair day’!
Thanks, Kathy.
Yep!!!! Looks like me in the morning. I love your blog. Beautiful pictures, great information, from you and or your followers, wonderful stories .
You deliver it all romance, love and hate and Beautiful photos. What more could we ask for? Thank you.
Deena
Yup, we get a little bit of almost everything around here. Thanks, Deena.
Poor fella! Almost spit out my coffee on this one! Nice to have a good laugh over breakfast. Thanks, Ron.
No, don’t waste your morning coffee, Diane!
Definitely a photo of someone who works for a living!
All that smoke can’t be good for feathers either.
Porcupine, at least the smoke situation has improved. Hopefully so will his ‘hair’.