Juvenile Gray Catbird perched on a branch – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 1250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I started to do a post on this juvenile Gray Catbird yesterday when my server had some major issues and since I couldn’t fix the server like I used to I decided to hop in my Jeep and head to Bear River MBR but I still wanted to write about this young catbird.
Gray Catbirds are migratory and although they have been found in Utah most months of the year they only begin to show up here in northern Utah in large numbers around mid May which is about the time that I am able to access many of the mountain roads again. When Gray Catbirds first arrive I am able to find the males because they sing frequently while later in the season after they have mated they are quieter and harder to locate.
Juvenile Gray Catbirds have to grow up quickly here because most of the catbirds migrate out of the state by the end of September. I only have a brief window of opportunity to photograph fledgling and juvenile catbirds and I try to take advantage of the short period of time I have with them.
Two years ago I was able to find and photograph quiet a few young Gray Catbirds high in the Wasatch Mountain canyons including this one who seemed to be keeping an eye on me. The juvenile Gray Catbird was perched in a serviceberry bush near a creek and may have bathed before it popped into view because a few of its feathers looked slightly damp. The light on the catbird was lovely too.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Gray Catbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
This youngster most definitely did have its eye on you. Which is wonderful. Some day that same alertness may save its life.
We have many catbirds here during winter. They seem to arrive all at once in autumn and then disappear en mass during March. This past week they seem to be more numerous. Maybe their ranks have been buttressed by new arrivals on their way north.
Hopefully, you’ll get to see this little sweetie — and its mate — this year. The catbird is lovely and the curve of the branch and the little sprig in front of the bird are wonderful complements that make this shot even better. 🙂
Wonderful photo Mia. First Catbird I have seen.
Don’t you love catbirds? We are seeing a few signs of spring with the recent return of Redwing Blackbirds, Eastern Bluebirds here and there (though these could be either early arrivals or holdovers even here in central Vermont). I have a new book out today! It’s fish not birds (Fly fishing and Conservation in Vt: stories of the Battenkill and Beyond) on History Press. Yesterday many Brown Creepers in the ash trees and lots of sugar houses boiling away. Now that’s a sign of spring. Thank you for your posts. It just makes us want to visit the desert even more.
Congratulations on your book! 🙂