I’m aware that some of my readers see Spotted Towhees regularly. Lots of them. In some cases, all year round. And that makes me jealous. They’re one of our more colorful and distinctive songbirds and I think they’re beautiful but I’m lucky if I photograph one once or twice a year. Some years I don’t photograph any.
Which made yesterday special for me – thus today’s short post.
While I was looking through my viewfinder while photographing a Great Blue Heron at a pond near my home, I kept hearing the nasal call of a bird that sounded a little familiar coming from the bushes in front of my pickup. At first I ignored it for the heron but eventually I pulled my eye away from the viewfinder and looked in the direction the call was coming from.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 1600, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This Spotted Towhee, the source of the calling, was staring right back at me. ‘He’ barely moved for about 10 seconds, long enough for me to get dozens of very similar photos of him, before he dived further into the thicket and disappeared. He never did give me any pose variety.
It’s a busy setting but I do like the way he’s framed by some of the branches and twigs.
It’s been over two years since I’ve been able to get any decent photos of a Spotted Towhee so I’m posting this one, partly in celebration.
Ron
What a beauty! I’ve never seen one, to my great regret. There are two things about your photo which I really enjoyed: that eye, and the very clear image of the bird’s feet wrapped around that branch. I read recently that their ability to encircle a branch with those toes is what allows them to hang on in strong winds.
I also learned that these breed in the Trans-Pecos, and that they can be found in winter in central and east Texas. I’ll be looking!
I hope you find some, Shoreacres. If you do, I predict it’ll make an impression.
Definitely enjoying the towhee shot, Ron. What a handsome bird! (Admittedly also chomping at the bit to see the GBH. 😉 )
Thanks, Marty. I’ve photographed that heron about a half dozen times lately so you’ll likely be seeing some of those photos sometime soon.
What an amazing capture, professor. They are happy things. I watched one spying on a workshop I was in. The bird was hopping and flitting through the grape vines that were over our heads.
“hopping and flitting through the grape vines that were over our heads.”
Arwen, it’s pretty unusual to find a Spotted Towhee that high up.
Patiently waiting for a portrait. Great shot.
Thanks, Nina.
When first learning my birds in western US states in 1971, I though the spotted towhees might be a different species that the ones without spots. When I brought that up to others, the ones with more advanced degrees told me I was wrong. Your photo made me smile.
They make me smile too, Pamela.
Every once in a while I’ll get one (sometimes a pair) scratching around under the juniper bushes in my yard. It is always a treat when they show up. But they are always on the ground – who knew they’ll actually perch in a bush!
“who knew they’ll actually perch in a bush”
They don’t very often, Carolyn. This one was almost 5′ off the ground.
I’m lucky enough to have them in my yard quite often!
Jealous!
Thank you for that beauty. I’ve only seen a Spotted Towhee once, while visiting in Ventura, California. And your text always makes me feel like I’m right there with you in the field. Hope you’re having a “good back” day.
Thanks for appreciating my text, Patricia.
SO CLEAR – and he is looking right at us. I have never seen one of these. THANKS for sharing so much of your talent and knowledge.
Thanks, Judy.
Excellent shot Ron of a very cute bird. Am celebrating with you 🙂
The “cute bird” part helps, doesn’t it Kathleen.
Definitely posing. Good one!
Thanks, Kathryn.
I’m so happy to see “today’s” bird ! I haven’t seen a towhee in
over a year. In Prescott, it seemed they were everywhere, year-round, and I loved hearing their distinctive “jump-scratch, jump-
scratch “……like Michael, I’d never seen that very long claw–no
wonder they were so noisy !
“In Prescott, it seemed they were everywhere.”
Kris, I think I remember Everett saying the same thing about Spotted Towhees in Prescott.
Did not know Kris was from Prescott. Yes, they are everywhere
here. We have twice had cute little juveniles in the back yard. We often have them around the house and also around the various lakes and riparian woods where I take photos.
Like I said, Everett – I’m jealous.
Lovely image, I am happy you finally found one. We have them in the yard during fall through spring. This past summer we had one stay all summer. We have several now. They are beautiful.
April, I think I’ve only seen this species in my yard one time in over 30 years.
Really like this gorgeous shot of a bird I don’t get to see. Thanks!
Good. Thanks, Burrdoo.
They are a rare sight in my parts. About the only time I get a glimpse is when visiting the mountainous central coast of California. Even then, they are typically foraging in the underbrush and moving around a lot. Getting a photo of one stationary up in a shrub is a chance event at best. A photo well done for such an elusive and skittish subject.
Do not think I have ever made note of the long claws like on this fellow. I know they scratch around the leaves and such when foraging for food. But I am trying to imagine what it must be like to run in the underbrush with those things. Are these typical length claws for these birds?
“Are these typical length claws for these birds?”
I believe so, Michael. Here’s what Cornell has to say about the hallus in particular – “hallus claw well developed, especially in coastal birds of s. California.”
We always have a few in summer and though I know they’re there we rarely see the females. They ARE a fun bird.
Judy, sometimes I have a hard time telling males from females.
I’m very sorry about Joe. My sincere condolences.
Thx – tough sledding BUT! Lots of support and love around me through this and right now for which I’m grateful……