Close up of a singing Western Meadowlark – Nikon D810, f13, 1/500, ISO 320, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
It was chilly yesterday on Antelope Island but the Western Meadowlarks were singing from perches on rocks and on top of sagebrush. They are still acting skittish and won’t allow close approaches for the most part but this meadowlark was right next to the road and didn’t fly off when approached but the problem was that it was too close for my 500mm with the TC on so I decide to just take close ups while it was singing. I could have removed the TC and switched to FX mode or used my backup body with the Nikkor 70-300mm VR attached but it isn’t often that I have the opportunity to take portraits of meadowlarks so I jumped at the chance.
The calls of the Western Meadowlarks have changed over the past few weeks and now they seem to be using the calls that they use when looking for a mate. It is still a bit early but it has been such a warm winter that many of the birds are acting like it is time to breed.
Maybe they too are tired of the “winter that wasn’t” and want spring to arrive like I do.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Western Meadowlark photos plus facts and information about this species.
Nice to see such detail sometimes. As for the weather unfortunately the snow coming is only for the higher elevations in northern Utah but southern Utah did get some from the last storm. The cold wind from the north was miserable but is now calm. As for Patty’s suffering, you have my condolences; yes brutal weather to the east of us here in Utah but we will later suffer the fires and other serious problems that come with drought.
“Mega-drought: NASA study forecast an 80% chance of a 35-year drought by mid-century in the southwest,” according to an article in last Sunday’s SLTribune. We water our hugh lawn with drinking water mainly to control the weeds but that will have to change.
Hi! Snoooow is coming! Said I would send it! Enjoy it as it might not last long?? Have a great shooting day today!
What a wonderful detailed portrait! I can almost hear his song…while your winter has been strangely warm, ours has been very,very cold….bitter cold expected tonight and the rest of the week….furnace has gone out several nights, house frigid….we’ve been sleeping fully dressed, with socks, hats, fleece jackets, scarves and down vests and extra blankets….and still cold…not looking forward to next week. Temp supposed to be -10 but windchill makes it seem so much colder. This has been a very difficult winter for us.
Wonderful detail. Extremely sharp. The D810 and 500 f/4 is a great combination.