For me it’s highly entertaining to watch Yellow-headed Blackbirds through my lens as they pluck flying midges out of the air.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Three days ago at Bear River MBR this male Yellow-headed Blackbird was practicing two important skills simultaneously – displaying conspicuously for other blackbirds in the area and snatching midges out of the air when the opportunity presented itself. In the middle of this display it noticed a midge approaching closely (the following 3 images are sequential shots in a burst).
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
The birds concentration on the midge as it approached was intense…
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
and it plucked the insect right out of the air. I missed the millisecond of the actual grab but this is just as the beak closed on the midge.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
And here the blackbird opened its beak just before swallowing it.
A huge crop of the previous images gives us a better look at the midge.
The number of midges at Bear River during spring and early summer approaches the unimaginable. They often form what some call “midge tornadoes” (midge-nadoes) rising in columns over the grasses alongside the road that can look like smoke. The inside of my pickup will be buzzing with “bugs” long after leaving the refuge. For some reason they like vehicle headliners and if I happen to glance up they can be so thick up there that I can barely see the liner. New visitors to the refuge are often highly intimidated by them (thinking they’re mosquitoes) and drive the entire 10 mile loop road with their windows up, never to return again.
Another look at midge columns in the air at Bear River. They’re so thick that the image looks highly pixelated and the only thing in focus is some of the tiny insects in the middle-distance.
These midges are an incredibly rich food resource for birds at the refuge. I’m glad they’re there to nourish the birds but I sure have to clone out a lot of “dust spots” in my images taken there…
Ron
Really superb shots, Ron. Sharp as a tack and very interesting to see close up.
I know first-hand about midge tornadoes. I once made the mistake of cycling AI causeway to Garr Ranch this time of year. The tornadoes weren’t obvious when I started out but by the time I started back to the gate they had concentrated along the paved road to take advantage of the heat from the road. They were suffocating and by the time I got back to the car I looked like a Chia Pet. I could have doubled as a bird feeder.
I first started to look at your site for your exceptionally good photography. Now I find myself equally liking it because of what I learn from it. I really like the second image with the bird focusing on his lunch, just as you are focusing on the bird. And the midge in its mouth is awesome! Also, since I have never even heard of a “midge” before, I thought it is interesting to learn about it. Neat photos of the midge “clouds”.
Wow!
Are you really aware of how incredible these shots are??? So detailed you can even see detail on the bug in the mouth!!!
Welcome back, Patty! I know from our correspondence that you had a wonderful extended trip and that delights me. You’ve been missed! Good luck with the jet lag. And thank you.
Love that the Blackbird didn’t lose his focus on food, even while ‘on display’. And awed at the clarity of your captures. And at the numbers of midges…
I’m in awe of those midge numbers too, Elephant’s Child. Thank you.
The expression of the bird before the strike on the second photo is my favourite.
Great work Ron. Thanks for sharing.
That’s some concentration, isn’t it Jorge?
Excellent series, excellent job! The fact that you got the midge ‘sharp’ in the Blackbirds mouth is awesome!!
I got lucky on that midge, Dick. Thanks.
Absolutely amazing photography Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Very interesting Ron. I really enjoy how you provide educational notes and the photos of the midges really add a dimension to the information.
Wendy, I appreciate what you said about “educational notes”. Thank you.
Wow. I’ve never seen anything like that. The blackbird is stunning!
Thanks, Leisa.
The Blackbird photos are awesome. I have never seen any in real. Seen (& captured)lots of red winged though. About the midges, don’t they bite like mosquitoes?
Rima – no, midges don’t bite or sting. They’re harmless.
Ron,what a great series. The last photo of the bird with the midge in its mouth is awesome! And light in the birds eye..
You captured the most important bird survival techniques–getting food and displaying to defend territory and/or keep a mate.
Thank you.
And they often use both of those techniques at almost the same time, Diana. Pretty interesting.
Awesom timing!
Thanks, Steve.