Western Meadowlark Bathing in A Puddle

Yesterday I was able to photograph a Western Meadowlark bathing in a puddle in a gravel road on Antelope Island State Park under mostly sunny skies.

Western Meadowlark about to bathe – Nikon D810, f10, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The April showers we have been experiencing in northern Utah have made the grasses a vibrant green, put some much needed water into the Great Salt Lake and have left puddles that the birds and wildlife are enjoying while they last.

Western Meadowlark bathing – Nikon D810, f10, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

While the meadowlark bathed in the puddle water droplets flew into the air and caught the sunlight.

Western Meadowlark splashing in a puddle – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The meadowlark splashed around in the water and its chest soon became soaking wet. While the meadowlark seemed determined to take its bath most of the time it still kept an eye on the cameras pointed at it.

Splashing water and Meadowlark – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

It wasn’t long before it looked like all of the meadowlark’s plumage was dampened by the water in the puddle.

Western Meadowlark enjoying a bath – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

For a few seconds I thought the meadowlark was done bathing but it continued splashing, fluffing and shaking.

Western Meadowlark digging its bath – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

And plunged as much of the front of its body into the shallow water of the puddle as possible.

Meadowlark bathing in a puddle in the road – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

And splashed merrily around some more. Let me say I am glad I was photographing this from a distance because I wouldn’t have wanted my lens to get wet from all the flying water droplets.

Western Meadowlark in a puddle created by April showers – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 400, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The April showers we have been having have put a slight damper on me getting out into the field but when I see birds bathing in the puddles created by the rains I guess I shouldn’t complain too much because we do live in a desert and water is a precious commodity for the birds and wildlife. For us too.

Western Meadowlark flinging water off with its wings – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 400, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The Western Meadowlark only bathed for about a little over one minute and got itself entirely wet before it flew off into the grasses to finish fluffing, preening and drying.

More rain will be falling this week and there will be more puddles for the birds and wildlife to enjoy.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to view more of my Western Meadowlark photos plus facts and information about this species.