I have to constantly remind myself that just because a particular bird is common doesn’t mean that it isn’t a worthy photo subject. I seldom post images of species like House Finches, American Coots and Horned Larks simply because they’re ubiquitous and that’s my shortcoming, not theirs. So today, meet the Horned Lark.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this singing male two days ago on Antelope Island. His enthusiasm for singing was engaging and fun to watch as he continued his song while moving around on his perch. I like the singing pose, clean background, colored rock perch (rather than the white ones I usually get) and the perch poop doesn’t bother me.
Speaking of perches, it’s extremely rare for me to catch a Horned Lark on any perch other than a rock so I’m constantly looking for some variety in that regard and a week ago today I finally succeeded.
1/2500, f/9, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This gnarly old sagebrush stump is a favorite perch for Western Meadowlarks and Sage Thrashers but this male Horned Lark decided that it was an appropriate stage to sing from for a few minutes and he allowed me a close approach as he did so. The stump may be a bit busy and I wish parts of it were sharper (I have other images with more depth of field but I like this pose) but I do enjoy the variety of the perch after all those rocks!
I plan on ramping up my quest for interesting images of common species as we move into spring. One of my goals is photographing fighting coots. Wish me luck.
Ron
The second one really picks up the colors of the bird. I like that a lot.
These are just beautiful! I love both of them, but I find the second one exceptional. I’ve never seen a horned lark other than in pictures. I’m so glad you posted these. Thank you
Horned Larks may be common for you, but some of us have never had the privilege of seeing them. So I’m glad when you post pictures of them. Beautiful shots of beautiful birds.
Sensational shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
“Sky dancing”…I like it!
Patty, “sky dancing” (Patty is referencing my comment to her below) is actually what it’s called. In it the male harrier performs many steep aerial dives when he’s courting a female and I saw that behavior this morning on the causeway to Antelope Island.
I will say “ditto” to all your previous commenters’ posts. A Horned Lark is another someday bird for me. I am relatively new to birding, and I am so impressed by the range of colors, feather patterns, behaviors & songs of all I see just in my backyard. Most of them may be common, but they are definitely not unworthy of attention. And your images of this very interesting-looking bird prove the point! Thank you for taking & posting them.
I hope your Horned Lark “someday” comes soon, Chris. Thank you.
Beautiful! And as Dan wrote, the Horned Lark is not a common species for me, either.
Ron, you know I love this topic — common birds and non-native birds. 🙂 I’m an urban dweller, and often don’t have time to meander beyond my immediate surroundings. So I loved these species even before I ever snapped photos of them. They kept (and keep) my urban environment alive, and my city existence worthwhile. The lens does have a way of making the association more intimate and colorful, though. The iridescence of both pigeons and starlings is one of my favorite natural kaleidoscopes.
Beyond that, though, I may have mentioned before that I like to refer to the common birds as “gateway” species. I learned while working at the wildlife hospital that it was often a [much-maligned], injured, non-native bird, like a House Sparrow or starling — or a common bird like a robin or crow — that brought a person into the hospital for the first time. And from there, their appreciation of birds began. These are the only birds some children ever see while growing up. So, in my eyes, they have inherent value as their own entities, and then value that transfers to the broader spectrum of conservation and compassion for wild animals.
I like the phrase “gateway species”, Ingrid and the Horned Lark was certainly that for me. They were (and are) the most common species by far on the Montana farm where I grew up and I spent a LOT of time watching them (partly because it was so boring for a kid to go round and round on a tractor all day so I watched the birds – which didn’t make for very straight tractor driving). It was a long time before I even knew what species the Horned Lark was but I did know that I liked them, whatever they were…
How old were you when you first drove a tractor? My husband Hugh has similar memories on his family farm. I realize “common” birds become more interesting when considering that they’re exotic to someone else on the planet. My sister-in-law lived in Uganda where the “common” Double-toothed Barbets used to wake her up in the mornings by flying head first into her windows. Where she became exasperated, I would love to see that feathered face at my window. 🙂
I think I was about 8 or 9 years old when I started driving tractor. There was no cab on the tractor (this was about 1955) and my folks were afraid that I’d fall off and be run over by the “one-way” (an implement many call a disc) I was pulling behind the tractor so one of my very clear memories is of my dad making me lay down behind the disc so I could see how many pieces all those very sharp, metal wheels would cut me into if I fell off. That got my attention, for sure! To be safer, my folks insisted that there be a piece of rope, one end tied to the steering column and the other end tied to me.
These are super compositions.
Thank you, Jane.
Hi Ron,
I strongly encourage everyone not to ignore common species. They can make for great photographic challenges, but beyond that, there are so many fascinating things that we would miss if we overlook something just because it’s common. We also neglect details that we observe on other birds. For example, each year I give the students in my Ornithology course here at the University of Oregon, a detailed description of an American Robin, except for one detail: I leave out any mention of the rusty breast. Most do not know the bird I am describing. A Robin is so common that we immediately identify it without really looking at it. Thus, we may ignore the split eye ring, the white streaks in the throat or the white spots under the end of the tail. For me, observing something new in a common bird is more exciting than seeing a rare bird out of range. If we watch, eventually we will see something new that hasn’t caught our attention before.
It’s also a matter of perspective. For you, Horned Larks may be common, but not so for many others. Even though I have seen Horned Larks many, many times I have to say that your images are among the best I have seen and I especially like the one on the stump. Keep up the good work so we can all marvel in the beauty of common things.
I really enjoyed your comment and your perspective on common species, Dan. Your robin exercise reminded me of an ornithology class I took at the U of Utah way back in 1969 from the ornithological icon Dr. William H. Behle (perhaps you’ve heard of him). Dr. Behle’s laboratory practical exam was an extremely difficult one, partly because a couple of the bird skins he had out for us to ID had genetic defects that could really throw you off if you didn’t know the field marks well. I well remember a coot with deformed feet…
Keep that note to yourself close.
Your common species are incredible exotica for me. And I love them.
Back at ya, EC – your Australian birds are the same for me.
Hi Ron,
They may be common to you but they are a feast for our eyes!
Len
Glad to hear it, Len. Thank you.
Mention a Horned Lark sighting around here and you will be stomped into the mud by the stampeding birders. One man’s common is another’s treasure.
Thank you for posting these images, Ron! Like others have mentioned, that stump certainly adds a special touch. I also really enjoy the singing pose and the muted background which mimics the bird’s plumage.
Wally, I read your comment while shooting on the island this morning and had visions of “stampeding birders”, which made me smile. Mia confirmed for me that Horned Larks are quite rare in Florida. Thank you.
Thanks for the info on the Sage Thrashers. I found them and got some good shots. Got some good shots of fighting coots at BRMBR last year at the SE corner of the loop just across the bridge. There were several there and they were all going at it. Liked the “tail-up” and posturing and they pulled out all the stops with the beaks and mainly the claws. Also tried to hold each other under water to drown several times. A couple of times there were 3 involved. Wow, they are ferocious little guys!
Glad you found the thrashers, Larry. They were displaying this morning – always fun behavior to photograph.
Two nice shots, but particularly the second…That sculptural, twisted, silvery grey , gnarly old stump provides such a gorgeous context for the bird, like a gemstone in a beautiful setting! The “nesty” look of that whorl is a nice touch, too, especially considering the fact that it finally seems to be Spring….(why want to changes perfection, silly man!)…
I hadn’t noticed that “nesty” look you mention but you’re right, Patty. And you’re right – spring has sprung. This morning I saw my first curlews, Tree Swallows and avocets of the season. And harriers were sky dancing. Yay!
Love it, Ron!! I’m in Rima’s spot – I’ve never seen a Horned Lark before & wish I could hear it’s song along with enjoying it’s beauty. I like the second capture because the stump reminds me of the drift wood we would see at my grandparents cabin on Lake Michigan! Good luck with your goal of capturing fighting coots!!
Jo Ann, Their song is very soft and melodious and I love it.
Lovely photos of the Horne Lark. I have not seen one yet. Not so common I think in my part of the country.
Thank you for sharing Ron!!!
Speaking of common species, and their song, nowadays the song sparrows are quite putting a show here. They are just singing all the time, and so enchanting their songs are!! and today I found a black capped chickadee singing relentlessly at sunrise… Spring has sprung!!!
Sounds like you’re enjoying the Song Sparrows, Rima. They’re well-named, aren’t they?
Thank you Ron! I was beginning to wonder if Antelope Island had common species? VBG! All kidding aside, I understand your predicament. We all tend to take common species for granted, or at least I do, and like you and because of you need to remind myself that they are good subjects. This post is much appreciated!!
Thanks, Dick. Another one I need to pay more attention to is the robin. And even the Killdeer.
So true, here in Eugene, Oregon we have Eagles that live on the butte in town, you see them flying, sitting on rocks in the river, trees, people have gotten so use to them, they just don’t care. I have found that the Eagles, The Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vultures, Coots, Wood Ducks, the more you observe, the more you learn. There are those of us who don’t get tired of taken pictures, looking, we remember we are living in a city and you have Bald Eagles, come on what a sight that is, wildlife in the city, how lucky can we get.
Good point, Steven. You’re lucky – lots of folks, including me, would be extremely envious of your easy access to eagles and Wood Ducks in particular.