Western Meadowlark on blooming Rabbitbrush – Nikon D200, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 320, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) is blooming profusely in northern Utah right now and it is adding a splash of gold to our dry valley landscapes along side our Common Sunflowers. These bright yellow wildflowers can brighten even the dreariest days and at times they provide lovely perches for my favorite subjects, birds.
This Western Meadowlark perched on a blooming Rabbitbrush the first September after I had moved to Utah and I was thrilled to take this photograph on Antelope Island State Park. At the time I still wasn’t used to all of the western birds or plants so this was a unique experience for me, even today I don’t find many birds perched on these shrubs while they are in bloom.
I still smile when I view this photo because Utah was so new to me back then and it was such delight even though the meadowlark appeared to be giving me the “stink eye”.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my flower, shrub and tree photos. Click here to see more of my Western Meadowlark photos plus facts and information about this species.
Fantastic.
Such a charmer. And a skilled stink-eye thrower too.
Fantastic photograph, Mia!
I love how the colors of the rabbitbrush and the background blend perfectly with the plumage of the Meadowlark. Beautiful!
Great image of the Meadowlark on Rabbitbrush. I’m so glad you moved to Utah when you did – really appreciate your blog.
Antelope Island is beautiful right now. I don’t know if the fire increased the number of sunflowers, the wet spring or a combination of both, but there seem to be blooms everywhere. I was delighting in all the yellow flowers between the sunflowers and rabbit brush Sunday.
Beautiful! One of my favorite birds.