Adult Sage Thrasher – D200, f7.1, 1/750, ISO 320, 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light.
I have not been seeing as many Sage Thrashers this year as last. I suppose it is part of a normal cycle, but I have missed seeing them flitting all over the sagebrushes as often as I did last summer.
The image above of the adult Sage Thrasher was taken just 5 days short of a year ago. Using a vehicle as a portable blind often allows closer approach to this species than when on foot on Antelope Island State Park. This thrasher was on the wrong side of the vehicle so I quickly put the window down and took about 6-7 “grab shots”, I was pleased with the results and enjoy how the background has similar tones to the bird’s coloration.
Sage Thrashers are from the Mimid family. They forage mainly on the ground for insects, though they do eat berries at times.
Juvenile Sage Thrasher – D200, f8, 1/800, ISO 400, 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light.
Today, with a little luck and good spotting I was able to find this juvenile Sage Thrasher perched on a rock while it waited for one of the adults to bring it some food. The behavior right before the adult flew in was interesting. The juvenile started to flutter its wings, flicked its tail and made a soft sounding call. The background in this image consists of sagebrush, which I think is appropriate for this species.
These two photos show the differences between adult and juvenile Sage Thrashers quite nicely in my opinion.
I was very excited to take my first images of a juvenile Sage Thrasher today, they are a delightful species.
Sunflowers on Antelope Island – D200, f/11, 1/320, ISO 400, 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
I keep hoping that one day I will be able to photograph a Sage Thrasher on the wild sunflowers that abound on Antelope Island State Park. I will keep looking for the opportunity.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Sage Thrasher photos plus facts and information about this species.