Creekside grasses going to seed – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/160, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday while I was up in the Wasatch Mountains looking for birds I also noticed some grasses going to seed and took photos of them. Some of the grasses I saw that were setting seeds have a lovely pinkish hue to them and they are quite lacy looking. Against the dark background of the creek side vegetation the grasses seemed to glow. As I photographed the grasses I remembered that last year I photographed Lazuli Buntings feeding on the seeds of some creekside grasses and I felt a tingle of excitement.
Adult male Lazuli Bunting eating grass seeds – Nikon D500, f9, 1/640, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I notice little things such as berries on trees forming, the insects that are hatching, and grasses going to seed because they help me locate the birds that feed on them. Being aware of everything in nature that surrounds me is extremely helpful when it comes to finding my subjects.
There are something like 180 native and nonnative grasses in Morgan County where I photographed the grasses going to seed and I don’t know what species of grass I photographed or whether they are native or not but I do know that paying attention to the “little things” benefits me and that Lazuli Buntings feed on grass seeds.
I also know that the grasses the Lazuli Buntings fed on last year were a different species of grass because the seeds heads were different and the shape and form of those grasses wasn’t lacy at all.
Grass going to seed in Morgan County, Utah – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/125, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Just seeing these grasses starting to set seed yesterday reminded me that it is time to start looking for Lazuli Buntings foraging for grass seeds. And that is the answer to my question.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Lazuli Bunting photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see more of my flora photos along with grasses, shrubs and trees.
Hi sweetie! The grasses look almost like Heather! The photos really show it good! Love the Bird! Seen them with you in 2018! What a wonderful time we had! Miss you! Great phots!
Hi sweetie! The grasses look almost like Heather! The photos really show it good! Love the Bird! Seen them with you in 2018! What a wonderful time we had! Miss you!
Beautiful images Mia.
Mia, those grasses are not going to seed. They are in anthesis; that is, those are stamens filled with pollen that are hanging out there. Pollen has to connect with an ovule to effect fertilization and thereby create seeds.
Love those beautiful grasses, even without the bunting bonus.
Love the gorgeous photo of the Lazuli Bunting, I only got one shot of one that was too far away so not good. I will watch the seeding wild grasses a little more often now and I thank you for the information, you are such a wealth of knowledge Mia, thank you! Thank you! Will of course keep my distance from those wild grasses since I read that the ticks like to hang out in it.
Love the color and detail of the grasses, and the bunting is lovely.
Love the images of grasses and so great to see photo of Lazuli Bunting. At treat for us easterners! Thank you.
I love seeing pastures of grasses going to seed, waving in a breeze. I hope your hand had returned to normal size.