Young Western Tanager in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday morning I found this young Western Tanager in the Wasatch Mountains after it came out of a Gambel Oak tree to perch out into the open. It was the closest I’ve been to a Western Tanager since May when I photographed a pair in the West Desert.
As soon as I saw the flash of yellow in amongst the dark green leaves I stopped my Jeep and scoped the immature tanager. I only sat still for a minute before it popped out into the open. I know for certain that if I hadn’t been driving slow past the oaks I never would have seen this young tanager or the others that were nearby. Paying attention to a color that didn’t seem to belong in the green leaves was also a great help in finding this tanager.
The other tanagers in the area weren’t as cooperative as this one was for the few seconds that it perched on this branch. After this image was taken the young tanager flew into the oaks where is was more than challenging to photograph it.
I was simply happy to have the tanager in my viewfinder while I enjoyed the slightly cooler temps up in the mountains. It has been miserable hot at home down in the valley with temps over 100°F. We are under a heat dome right now and it isn’t likely to be below 100°F for at least another five days or more.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Western Tanager photos plus facts and information about this species.
I am so glad that you found some cool(er) relief – and some feathered eye candy too.
Beautiful shot Mia great pose position too!
lovely image, I love their face. I think they are staying in the area with more abundant fruit this year.