Female Horned Lark on a February morning – Nikon D810, f5.6, 1/2500, ISO 320, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday I took a few images of a Horned Lark male singing on Antelope Island State Park and it reminded me that I hadn’t posted this image of a female Horned Lark that I photographed last year.
Other vagrant larks do show up now and then but Horned Larks are the only lark native to North America. In their range Horned Larks can be found in elevations from sea level up to 13,000 feet and because they were found at such high elevations Linnaeus called them Alauda alpestris which meant “lark of the mountains”. Now they belong to the genus Eremophila but I must admit I like thinking of it as the lark of the mountains.
Horned Larks are early nesters and nests can be found as early as February even in northern States. I do know that the males here in Utah are already singing on their territories and chasing other males around.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Horned Lark photos plus facts and information about this species.
Lark of the Mountain is SUCH a delightful description. And I adore their subtle beauty. Thank you..
What a sweet looking bird! Love the blend of colors. ..
Lovely. I’ve found these in a few places in southeastern Arizona but so far, no good photos.
That (above) was my first thought when the page opened and I saw that perfectly rendered little eye. But further, the light there is just extraordinary to allow for such a low iso and high shutter speed on a long lens. Beautiful work.
Wow. What a beautiful sight.
Beautiful image, Mia