Last Monday, when I photographed this American Pipit at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in frosted grasses, I had several thoughts whirling around in my mind.
Adult American Pipit in frosted grasses – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
My first thoughts were about getting my Jeep lined up so I could take photos of this pipit. Immediately after that, my second thoughts were about my camera settings. I checked them quickly and my settings were perfect for getting the image I wanted of this bird.
All of the pipits I found at the refuge that morning were extremely skittish and flighty. The photo above was the first of three images that I was able to take of this pipit, and it was by far the best. In the other two photos that I took the bird had turned their head away from me. Those images have been deleted.
Through my viewfinder, I could see the frost on the grass at the feet of the pipit, shining brightly like tiny diamonds glittering in the morning light. That thrilled me, and in a split second, I had an earworm. Rihanna’s song “Diamonds” was playing in my mind.
The American Pipit flew off, but the song kept playing in a loop in my head. ‘Diamonds’ wasn’t a bad earworm to get stuck with, even for a brief period. By the time I found my next bird, the earworm had disappeared.
Now, I am not a fan of wearing diamonds. I stopped wearing jewelry years ago, mostly because I didn’t want to lose my jewelry in the field.
But the phrase ‘shine bright like a diamond’ does have meaning for me. It is an attitude and a state of mind, one that I embrace.
A glittering frost, an American Pipit, and my mind twirled and danced.
Yeah, life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American Pipit photos plus facts and information about this species.
Frosty diamonds I delight in. The gem stone? Not for me.
And thanks for sharing this small charmer in the diamonds.
Beautiful in the frost tipped grass!