Male Horned Lark singing on a snow-topped fence post – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I photographed this adult male Horned Lark singing on a snow-topped fence post three days ago after a spring snow fell overnight in the West Desert.
Horned Larks are early breeders and here in northern Utah they start nesting as early as February when the temps are very low and snow fall is possible on any given day. The Horned Larks where I photographed this male may already be working on getting their second broods going.
Horned Larks are year round residents in northern Utah although I suspect we may see more of them during the winter because birds that spend their breeding season further north may migrate through this area or overwinter here.
Horned Larks blend into their open country habitat very well and may look like just a clod of dirt in a plowed field to some people. That is until they take flight!
I love to hear Horned Larks singing and more often than not find them on an elevated perch when they sing. At times the elevated perch they use may be no more than just a few inches above the soil or they might sing from the top of a bush, boulder or fence post several feet above the ground.
Where ever they sing and where ever I find them Horned Larks are always a joy to see, observe, and photograph.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Horned Lark photos plus facts and information about this species.
Such a great pic. It’s all there… color, composition, and amazing detail. A beautiful bird letting us know about his world. Does it get any better than that? Thanks Mia.
Love the photo and the perch. Silly me, I didn’t connect the name of the bird and the “horns” on top of its head until you pointed it out. Thanks for the post.
Handsome, and singing , too!
Love this variation on the early bird getting the worm.
And its song messed with my cat’s mind.
Thank you for both.
The male Horned Lark singing in spite of the snow is definitely a metaphor for these odd times we’re living in. (Interesting that autocorrect changed living to loving.)
Beautiful, I love the snow caped perch. One of my favorite birds!
A great image of a beautiful and amazing little bird. As a young teenager in Saskatchewan I studied the early spring nesting of this species. There they started in early April and were on their second brood when a very heavy late snow hit mdid-May which resulted in a complete failure of the nests I was following. My many hours in the field watching them with binoculars and spotting scope left me with a great love of this beautiful little songster. Thank you for bringing back memories at a time where memories are keeping us going.