Two days ago, as I was driving along the auto tour route at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, I spotted a cute yet somewhat grumpy-looking immature Marsh Wren.
Immature Marsh Wren in the wetlands of Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Of course, the young wren wasn’t grumpy; it just appeared that way to me. That was just a bit of anthropomorphizing on my part.
Marsh Wrens are year round residents at the refuge. They don’t sing or call much at all during the colder months of the year, but they are there, and you have to pay close attention if you want to see them. While I traveled around the auto tour loop two days ago, I was delighted to see and hear these wrens.
This year, due to my extended time back East, I missed out on seeing the Marsh Wrens nesting at the refuge. I was thrilled to find this immature wren clinging to a phragmites stalk in semi-good light.
Yes, the lighting could have been better, and the setting too, but none of that mattered much to me because I had this young wren in my viewfinder.
It felt great to be back at the refuge, even though the mosquitoes were massively annoying. The views, the bird songs, and the birds themselves were exactly what I needed. I didn’t see or photograph as many birds as I would have liked, but the ones I did see were a soothing balm.
Cooler weather is coming very soon, and I’m excited about it. Fall is an amazing time at the refuge, and I can hardly wait for its arrival.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Marsh Wren photos plus facts and information about this species.
I really like the vertical tapestry of reeds in the background. It really highlights the wren. The entire composition is terrific. Thanks Mia.
How I envy your eyes. In that light I suspect wren’s colouration would have made it invisible to me.