Adult Male Lazuli Bunting perched on a metal fence – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Two days ago I traveled north to find birds and I found an abundance of them to photograph and observe through my viewfinder. Yesterday I shared some of the Say’s Phoebes images that I took while I was up north.
Among the other birds I saw and photographed were Lazuli Buntings. At first most of the buntings I saw were flitting around in the sage or they were singing way off in the distance while perched on hackberry trees. One bunting flew in close and landed on top of a tree but because it was at a poor angle I was only able to observe the bright blue male and I wasn’t able to photograph it. I was beginning to think I wasn’t going to be able to take any close up images of the buntings that were all around me.
When I spotted this sharp-looking, adult male Lazuli Bunting less than 30 feet away from where I sat in a mobile blind on the side of the road I almost jumped with joy. I didn’t even mind that the bunting was on a metal fence, I was simply elated that he was there, that I was able to lock focus on him, and that I was able to take a short series of photos of him before he took cover in the sage that is shown in the background of this photo.
Male Lazuli Bunting about to lift off – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
As much as I wish that the male Lazuli Bunting would have stayed longer than he did I was pleased that twenty-three photos I took of him were sharp and that there were only five of them where he had turned his head away from me.
These photos of the male Lazuli Bunting were just one of the birdy highlights of my morning. More to come!
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Lazuli Bunting photos plus facts and information about this species.
If this is only one of your highlightsfrom that morning I am really, really looking forward to seeing more.
I am very happy that I heard about your site and subscribed. You do wonderful work, thanks for sharing.
Wow! What a beautiful bird! Your shots are exquisite. The colors and detail you captured are wonderful. I could look at these pics everyday for 1000 years. Maybe more…but I don’t think I’ve got that long.
Beautiful photo, as you look at the bird one might wonder about what he has seen on his travels.
Beautiful! And that sage background is a perfect accent color!
Gorgeous!
Excellent shots of a beautiful bird.
What an absolutely gorgeous bird.!! The blue on the head is stunning.
Spectacular