Begging Gray Catbird chick – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
In my Yellow Warbler fledgling post yesterday I mentioned that I had seen a lot of young birds in the Wasatch Mountains two days ago. It is the time of the year when eggs from first broods have hatched, when the chicks have fledged and when for a period of time when the adults are still feeding their young while the chicks learn how to forage on their own. For me this is a fantastic time of the year to be a bird photographer because it can be very exciting to observe and photograph the young birds mastering how to be on their own.
It can also be disappointing when the images I hope for don’t turn out.
When I saw a Gray Catbird fledgling inch its way up a stick two days ago and then exhibit begging behavior by raising its wings and opening its bill I locked on to it. My hope was that the adult catbird would bring in food and that I’d get clear, sharp, action photos of both the chick and the adult.
Fledgling Gray Catbird begging in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
As the Gray Catbird chick fluttered its wings rapidly I could tell that one of its parents was getting close so I began taking a long burst of photos. I wanted photos of the adult feeding the young bird. I was locked on to the chick when I could see the adult catbird flying in at the lower right hand side of my viewfinder.
Adult Gray Catbird bringing in food for a fledgling – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
But the adult didn’t land on the stick that the chick was perched on or even the other stick that was closest to its young instead it landed on a branch that was at least 6 inches away from the begging chick and I didn’t have enough depth of field to get them both sharply in focus. I adore the pose of the catbird chick in this image but I was very disappointed that the adult was out of focus.
When the adult turned towards the fledgling catbird it had its back to me and when it fed the food to the chick I couldn’t see the action.
If the adult catbird had landed on the top of the stick above its chick I might have had some marvelous images of the young bird being fed.
The first two images are now included in my photo galleries, the one above with the out of focus adult didn’t make the cut.
Being a bird photographer can be frustrating when things don’t go the way we hoped they would. Those frustrations actually aren’t all bad though, they do motivate me to head right back out into the field to get the images that I want and often dream about.
Adult Gray Catbird perched on a rusty metal post – Nikon D500, f9, 1/500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This adult Gray Catbird photo did make it into my photo galleries. This may or may not be one of the adults tending to the chick in the images above. There were at least a half a dozen adults in the area flying around taking care of young Gray Catbirds and there is no way for me to be sure that it is the same out of focus adult in the frame above.
I liked the pose of the adult catbird though and the greenery in the background.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Gray Catbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Fascinating pics. It never ceases to amaze me how you capture these moments in such graphic detail. And, of course, your commentary anchors everything. Thanks Mia.
Despite your disappointment, I really like these shots… they can not only mew like kittens but sing well, too. Like colors in last frame…👍
That’s a hungry baby! Bummer that you didn’t get to see the actual feeing, but you still got some great shots! 🙂
Despite the disappointment for the photographer you got some glorious images – and have even better memories to tuck in your overflowing memory banks.
You do wonderful work that I really enjoy. Thanks!
Hey I know that post! I need to get back up there while they are so dang cute!
Poor parent just needs a break. I like the flash of russet under the tail of the parent. The begging behaviours are a dead give-away for the juveniles, as well as their “fuzziness.” you got some nice captures here. See what is going on makes me more tolerant of the noise.
Wonderful shots. I had almost the same scenario with a Red-winged Blackbird feeding a fledgling the other day so I understand your frustration.