Sage Thrasher with a peachy backgroundSage Thrasher with a peachy background – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/320, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not called in or baited

While on Antelope Island yesterday I was able to photograph these two Sage Thrashers in two different locations with one perched on Sagebrush and the other on Rabbitbrush. The light was different and the one thing they had in common besides the bird species is that in the background both images have out of focus dried seed stalks of large swaths of Moth Mullein.

There were some fluffy clouds yesterday morning and this Sage Thrasher was still in the shadow of a cloud but when the sun lit up the field of dried Moth Mullein stalks behind and below the thrasher brightly for a few seconds it created the peachy background in the frame above. It almost seems to glow.

Windblown Sage ThrasherWindblown Sage Thrasher – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not called in or baited

This Sage Thrasher also had a large field of dried Moth Mullein behind the Rabbitbrush but the light was fell evenly on the bird and the background so the background is a more muted reddish-brown tone. The breeze kicked up for a few seconds giving the thrasher a windblown look.

Two very different results from simple Sage Thrasher photos.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Sage Thrasher photos plus facts and information about this species.