I’ve been hoping to observe fledgling Sage Thrashers for some time now and yesterday I photographed a single bird. My success was partially the result of extreme frustration with the weather. We’ve had gloomy, cloudy morning skies for so long now that I’ve had a serious case of cabin fever so when I once again woke up to dense cloud cover yesterday morning I decided to go shooting anyway, in spite of my best judgment.
I knew that I’d have deplorable light for photography and I did. But my shutter finger needed scratching…
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
For weeks I’ve known there was a Sage Thrasher nest in this sagebrush next to the road on Antelope island because of the activity I’ve observed there from the adults (I can’t actually see the nest and never approach it of course). At first this youngster (I guess it’s really past the “chick” stage) was hopping around on the ground near the base of the sagebrush as it waited for a parent to deliver food but once in its impatience it landed on top of the bush and posed for a few moments before skulking around on the ground again.
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Then one of the parents flew in with a juicy grasshopper for its offspring and landed with it on a nearby sagebrush. The adult was calling incessantly to the youngster with its beak almost completely closed on the grasshopper as you see here – a nifty trick that always makes me think of ventriloquism. Then both birds flew further down the hill, presumably to complete the food transfer.
As always I was delighted to see the young bird as a sign of nesting success (generally these birds lay 4-5 eggs in a clutch but I only saw one fledgling). Hopefully, next time I’ll have better light and there will be more young thrashers in the vicinity of this nest and others.
Ron
Normally it is the child rather than the parent whose incessant calling I hear. And fortunately they shut up (briefly) when their mouths are filled by the overworked parents.
Still chuckling at avian ventriloquism. And loving the subtle elegance of the sage thrashers.
Thank you.
“Still chuckling at avian ventriloquism”
That’s exactly what it looks and sounds like, EC. It always makes me wonder how they do it.
Hi Ron – had surgery this morning (had to be there @ 6:45 AM) so went to bed early & only saw 1/2 of the “Sagebrush Sea”on PBS last night!! What was your impression? I loved seeing this thrasher chick’s photos you shared today & meant a lot after seeing part of the program yesterday. All of the birds neutral coloring really does allow them to blend in to their surroundings – thereby keeping them safe. I feel I will enjoy your photos even more now that I watched part of the program last nite. Thank God for U-Verse so I can go back & see it from start to finish.
“What was your impression?”
Jo Ann, I watched it tonight and really enjoyed it overall. I spend a lot of time in that habitat and watching it was almost like going home. They made a few mistakes but heck, I’ve been known to make a few myself…
I do love the ventriloquism act. Great post.
“I do love the ventriloquism act”
Thrashers and meadowlarks in particular seem to do it a lot, Arwen. Amazing that that much sound, and so well “pronounced”, can come out of a closed beak. But then they don’t use their lips (obviously) or their tongue (I don’t believe) to form their sounds like we do.
I love the first image, of the youg bitd…the silvery gray of the sage, the soft browns of the bird and the background, the look of anticipation, everything. I find this image very pleasing….it has a subtle beauty i find beautiful and serene…
Thank you, Patty.
I love watching parent birds with their babies. Several days ago, at a visitor center in Alabama, we got to watch a daddy Robin with a young one who was following him around, begging. Years ago, when I had bird feeders, I also loved watching the Woodpeckers (of several varieties) teaching their babies about the feeders. Seeing these beautiful shots makes me glad for you getting to see the youngster, and brings back fun memories.
I enjoy watching those feeding behaviors too, Susan – no matter the species.
I only knew it was a cloudy day because you said so and because the ISO was high. Otherwise I wouldn’t have guessed.
Both images look great to me.
The difference that I see on the throat and iris of the youngster is it a characteristic of this species?
May “Thor” give you a brake.
“The difference that I see on the throat and iris of the youngster is it a characteristic of this species?”
Jorge, As far as I know and from what I’ve observed in the field I believe the answer to be yes.
Glad you noticed my ISO. That’s about as high as I dare go with the Mark II but it’s sure an improvement over the original 7D.
And yes, I’ll be speaking to Thor…
PBS aired a great documentary on the sage thrashers and more. The show was on “Nature” if you missed the airing. A great look at the area you like to shoot in. Everything I looked at during the program reminded me of you and your incredible photography. Hope you get to see it. During the show, by the way, they talked about sage thrashers laying 4 to 5 eggs in a clutch. But thanks to many predators and other threats many don’t make it. You have to see this show.
I’ll be watching that show tonight, Ellen. I’ve been waiting for it for a while but couldn’t watch it last night.
I know the feeling of frustration at gloomy skies. I am sitting here suffering the same. You inspire me with these spectacular shots.
Charlotte
We actually had some sun for a couple of hours this morning, Charlotte. It’s been so long I wasn’t even sure what it was…
Ron, I just wanted to say that I love reading your posts. My husband and I moved last month from Salt Lake City to Austin, Texas, and while we’re really enjoying the new birding sites in the area we dearly miss Antelope Island. Your posts are keeping us connected to the area and the birds there. (And I’m glad you went out there in spite of the weather and light. I use adore sage thrashers.)
Lisa, The island would be at the top of my list of places I’d miss if I moved away. Thank you.