Cedar Waxwing staring from a serviceberry – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday morning one of the birds I photographed was a stunning adult Cedar Waxwing perched on a serviceberry that has started to develop fruit. I was thrilled to have this waxwing land so close to where I was sitting in my Jeep. I was even more delighted to find so many serviceberries that have begun to set fruit.
Fruit forming on a serviceberry – Nikon D500, f10, 1/1000, ISO 640, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Because of our ongoing drought many of the serviceberries in this area didn’t set fruit last year. Some serviceberries started to develop fruit but the berries dropped off before they ripened. This spring as been cooler than last spring was in the Wasatch Mountains. Yesterday morning I saw a low of 32°F and frost up high. We’ve actually had some moisture this spring too.
I was encouraged to see so many developing berries yesterday. Maybe this year the serviceberry crop won’t shrivel and drop off before before ripening.
Cedar Waxwing striking a pose – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I saw and heard more Cedar Waxwings yesterday morning but only this waxwing came in close enough to photograph. It was almost too close. I had zero room for error. This image is full frame top to bottom that I cropped vertically and resized for web presentation. I could have easily clipped the yellow tip of the bird’s tail.
After going back up the road the wind began to bother my eyes so I headed down the mountain. It was a nice morning to be up high with the birds.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Cedar Waxwing photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see more of my flower, shrub and tree photos.
I didn’t know about Cedar Waxwings until I started following your posts. Now, thanks to you, I think they are among the most beautiful birds I’ve ever seen. Your pics today are stunning…so much color and the detail is exquisite. Thanks Mia.
The Serviceberry on our property here in Connecticut was first to blossom but its berries were scant. We call it “Juneberry.” Great shots of the Cedar Waxwings. We had them on our holly this winter but have not seen any since.
Wonderful news about the berries. And a wonderful sight.