Immature Bullock's Oriole with an eye on the sky, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahImmature Bullock’s Oriole with an eye on the sky – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

My last stop yesterday up in the Wasatch Mountains gave me great views and photos of this immature Bullock’s Oriole perched in a serviceberry shrub. It was the first time I’ve had a young oriole in my viewfinder this year and I was over the moon.

The gray areas in the background were clouds from the monsoonal flow that was coming up from the south.

Immature Bullock's Oriole biting a serviceberry, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahImmature Bullock’s Oriole biting a serviceberry – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The young Bullock’s Oriole was feasting on the ripe, juicy serviceberries on the shrub. It wasn’t swallowing the berries whole. It was simply biting small pieces from the berry.

The golden area in this background is from leaves that are struggling because of our drought. Not all of the shrubs and trees are doing well because the drought has been ongoing. At least we have had enough moisture this year to have a bounty of berries for the birds and animals.

Immature Bullock's Oriole in a serviceberry, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahImmature Bullock’s Oriole in a serviceberry – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

There were other birds in the area that this young oriole was paying attention to. When I first drove up I saw two Cooper’s Hawks that flew away. Very soon after that the birds in the area reappeared. I saw Black-capped Chickadees, American Robins, Western Tanagers, a Downy Woodpecker, Lazuli Buntings, Black-headed Grosbeaks and more while I sat in this spot. Mostly I focused my attention on the orioles because I don’t see them as often as I would like.

Young Bullock's Oriole perched in a serviceberry, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahYoung Bullock’s Oriole perched in a serviceberry – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The immature Bullock’s Oriole perched on the serviceberry for a several minutes and I was able to take a nice series of images of it there.

Close immature Bullock's Oriole, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahClose immature Bullock’s Oriole – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/125, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Then the young bird flew closer to where I sat in my Jeep. It came in so close that I was clipping the tip of its tail in most of the images I took. This photo is full frame top to bottom and I cropped both sides for this vertical presentation. I wish I had been able to get the entire bird in this frame.

Curious young Bullock's Oriole, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahCurious young Bullock’s Oriole – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/320, ISO 640, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

After a bit the immature Bullock’s Oriole flew to a dead hawthorn branch and gave me this curious look. My session with this young bird was a perfect way to wrap up my trip into the high country.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Bullock’s Oriole photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see more of my wildflower, shrub and tree photos.