I have seen and heard more Northern Mockingbirds this year on Antelope Island State Park than any previous year since I moved to Utah. I have wondered if the mockingbirds are expanding their range northward due to the increasing temperatures that Utah and other states have been experiencing.

Northern Mockingbird parachuting down to a perch, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahNorthern Mockingbird parachuting down to a perch – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 500, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or called in

I have been enjoying listening to the Northern Mockingbirds mimic other species of birds, they seem to use the calls of Northern Flickers, Killdeer, Western Kingbirds and American Kestrels most often but they slide other birds songs in too. I have also been enjoying their flight displays and yesterday there was actually good light when I photographed the mockingbird above. This Northern Mockingbird is parachuting back to the perch it jumped up from.

I think having the Great Salt Lake in the background is a unique setting and I love that beautiful blue.

Jumping Northern Mockingbird, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahJumping Northern Mockingbird – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or called in

In this frame the Northern Mockingbird had just about reached the apex of its leap from the Sagebrush it had been perched on. It was even singing as it jumped into the air.

There are two mockingbirds in the area where I photographed this songster and I suspect that they are a mated pair. I hope that there will soon be mockingbird fledglings to photograph too.

Life is good.

Mia

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