Adult Chipping Sparrow in breeding plumage – Nikon D500, f8, 1/800, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Today might mark the human calendar as the first day of spring but according to Nature’s calendar Spring sprang a while ago. Birds that left for the winter began trickling in last month just about the time that winter began losing its icy grip on the marshes surrounding the Great Salt Lake and water opened up enough for American White Pelicans to feed on fish. Around that time Utah birders and bird photographers started reporting their FOY (first of year) and FOS (first of season) birds to listservs and Facebook groups which in turn got us all excited for spring and the birds that we see during this season along with the birds that are migrating through on their way to their breeding grounds.
I have already seen my first of year Sage Thrasher and even though I didn’t get photos of it I am excited by the opportunities to take them soon. I saw my first of season Short-eared Owl performing its aerial mating display early yesterday morning and that got my blood pumping! The sounds of trumpeting Sandhill Cranes and a very distant Long-billed Curlew calling have been welcome music for my ears.
I really hate to see the birds I photograph here in the winter leave but I know they are migrating for a reason, that reason being to reproduce and hopefully they will be successful on their breeding grounds. They will sing, dance and perform aerial displays in the hopes of attracting mates and when they do they will get down to the serious business of laying eggs, incubating them and raising their broods.
The birds we observe, learn from and photograph care naught for the constrictions of our human calendars instead they listen to ancient, instinctual rhythms inside themselves. So while today many of us are celebrating the passage of time marked by us on pieces of paper hung on walls or placed on our desks the birds are simply going about the business of being birds and as a bird photographer I am ever so grateful that they are.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Chipping Sparrow photos plus facts and information about this species.
With the climate gone wonky, we seem to go from winter to summer…skipping Spring…sure hope we get a bit more Spring weather this year!!!
We went from winter right into summer over the weekend, but are back to cooler temps and more rain right now. I don’t think I’ve been as aware of the changes in bird populations and behaviors throughout the year as I am now — and for that I heartily thank you and Ron. 🙂
I am hearing the songs of house finches, calls of crows and ravens again. the temperatures are rising , twenty-five degrees higher than just weeks ago.It is early but welcome after the long cold winter we have had. Happy Spring!
Great post! Phenology beats calendars everytime!