Green-tailed Towhee in a tree in dappled light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I’ve photographed some Green-tailed Towhees since they returned to northern Utah on their spring migration but so far I haven’t taken any photos of them that I am happy with. I took a few in the Stansbury Mountains but unfortunately there were branches in the way as the towhees foraged on the ground. I’ve also taken some photos of a Green-tailed Towhee in the Wasatch Mountains that was more out in the open but I felt like the light on the bird could have been better a few feet farther north. I’m happy that these large members of the sparrow family are back in Utah and I hope that before long I’ll get photos of them that I will be happy with.
I took this photo last year in early June and I love it because when I view this photo I feel like I have the opportunity to take a brief glimpse into the world of a Green-tailed Towhee. Outside of the breeding season these birds are normally skulkers, you hear them scratching away at the ground as they look for food and you might even catch a partial view of them between branches, leaves, grasses and tree trunks but they can be very hard to see and even harder to photograph when they aren’t focused on finding a mate or raising their young.
While I know that for some people this Green-tailed Towhee image might be a “little out there” for their tastes and personal preferences I don’t photograph birds for them, I photograph birds for me.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Green-tailed Towhee photos plus facts and information about this species.
Simply gorgeous (to any one with taste).
That’s the way I remember seeing most of them. Love the natural vignette. Did get some eye-popping shots when one posed on top of a rock in Estes Park, Colorado. It made me really appreciate how colorful they are.
I agree with Bob….very artistic.
Very artistic and I like the composition. Thanks for sharing.