Watching juvenile Loggerhead Shrikes learning to hunt insects on the fly can be pretty entertaining.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed sibling juvenile Loggerhead Shrikes learning to hunt last week in the Stansbury Mountains. Their quarry was usually robber flies that seemed to be quite abundant. This bird lunged at the fly but missed it.
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
But I believe this one was successful. I can’t be sure because in the next shot of the burst I lost focus on the bird but if memory serves it caught the fly.
These juveniles were learning to hunt on their own but they were still begging for food from their parents whenever one of them came close. Both behaviors were very interesting to observe and photograph.
Ron
Trip update: We arrived safely at our camping destination yesterday afternoon but it was cloudy so we spent the rest of the day exploring exciting new country. In the process we found a new remote campsite with good cell service! so we packed up and moved the trailer.
No new images to post yet but as I type this the stars are out so we should have a clear day. Hopefully I’ll have new and interesting photos to post tomorrow.
And my sparrow eating looks like this:
https://fotorys.wordpress.com/fauna-i-flora/ptaki/#jp-carousel-1139
Beautiful and expressive.. I love watching fledglings and juveniles learn. They are so inquisitive.
When you click for the photo, the world almost stops for a brief moment, concentrating on the creativity you are creating. Thanks, every time I see a picture this happens to me.
Glad the camp site is good…now hoping the weather and the wildlife cooperate. Love the expression in the first image! That ‘s one cute bird!!!
Glad you found a better campsite. As I looked at the Shrike photos I was wondering how you managed to do a post that was more like the ones from home. Enjoy your trip! (We hit the road today to head east, and will end up in NC in about a week.)
Nice photos Ron.
Oh for pity’s sake! We need a whole new bunch of superlatives to describe your work. As it is, there’s no choice but to be ridiculously redundant! These shots are seriously spectacular!
Just like with humans, bird kiddos have a survival learning curve, however, the learning curve is much steeper for wild critters. Just love the behavioral aspect of your work.
Again, thank you for beginning my day with beauty!
And YEE HAW for finding a better campground!!
There is a learning curve to eating for the birds for sure. Basic technique must be built in but practice still required! 🙂 Glad you found a new campsite with good cell service – day not wasted in that regard. 🙂