Immature Sage Thrasher Portrait – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday I had an immature Sage Thrasher get so close to me that I was able to take portraits of it as it perched out in the open. I was photographing another thrasher on a pile of brush when I took my eye away from the view finder long enough to adjust a setting and when I did I saw this young thrasher perched even closer, it must have flown in while I was focused on the other bird. So I turned my focus onto it.
Sage Thrasher close up – Nikon D810, f10, 1/800, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When I am presented with the opportunity like I was yesterday where a subject moves or flies in this close to me my instinct is to take portraits of it, I don’t hesitate, I take them. It kind of seems silly to me not to take them when I have the chance to.
I spend a great deal of time in the field and I know that opportunities like I had yesterday on Antelope Island with this thrasher perching so close to me don’t happen all that often.
Sage Thrasher close up at 100% resolution – Nikon D810, f10, 1/800, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This is a section of the image above but at 100% resolution. I can see the rictal bristles above the gape, a smudge of dirt below that, the dirt on the bird’s bill and I can count the feathers that circle this young thrasher’s golden eye. I love the details and the clarity I can see in portraits.
Sage Thrasher Portrait – Nikon D810, f10, 1/800, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was able to take about a hundred images of this immature Sage Thrasher before it flew away and I am glad that I was able to take those images.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Sage Thrasher photos plus facts and information about this species.
Beautiful portraits, Mia! Amazing detail. You really took advantage of the opportunity. Being out there on any day is a good day, but days that give you images like these are just fantastic.
What a beauty, Mia. And what a golden opportunity! I have yet to see this species of bird.
Amazing. So much detail. So much beautiful detail.
What dignity the young bird seems to bear! And I have never, ever seen photos of birds so close up you could distinguish every part of every feather. Eye of bird, and I think, Eyes of God. As He counts the hairs on our heads, so also every part of every feather on His flying creatures! Thank you for a God’s Eyes point of view – you must see it too, Mia! Your work renews and refreshed my spirit. Thank you.
Beautiful photos. I love the close-up of the eye.
Brilliant! Especially like the close-up close-up to see the feathers around the eye. Enjoy your pictures and
narrative a lot. Thank you, Mia
Beautiful Close up detail!
These are truly amazing! Like you, I was struck by the detail being so precise, I could see(and count!) the tiny feathers that suuround that golden eye!!!
Beautiful photos, Mia.
Oh, my! The close up of the eye is stunning.
Oh, wow! Such detail! Gorgeous!