First of the Year Sage ThrasherFirst of the Year Sage Thrasher on Antelope Island – Nikon D810, f8, 1/1600, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I was absolutely delighted to spot a pair of Sage Thrashers on Antelope Island yesterday because I have been anxiously awaiting their arrival since they left last fall. I almost missed them but the shape of the bird said “Sage Thrasher” and I turned around and went back to the birds. It was then that I could hear the one that was furthest away singing. This Sage Thrasher was perched on a tintic quartzite boulder high above the Great Salt Lake and the mudflats of the drying lake bed.

I looked it up and the earliest I had seen Sage Thrasher on Antelope Island was the 18th of March so my sighting beats my personal record by 5 days!

Preening Sage ThrasherPreening Sage Thrasher – Nikon D810, f8, 1/1250, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

While I wish the boulder had been closer I enjoyed observing this thrasher preen and fluff on a warm spring morning. I loved this fun pose and had to share it.

I thought (hoped) I would hear a Long-billed Curlew yesterday because they too should be arriving soon but instead I had a Sage Thrasher surprise.

Life is good!

Mia

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