Sometimes lightning does strike twice…
Readers will recall that eleven days ago I was finally able to get my first quality shots of a Green-tailed Towhee after ten years of trying. I was very excited to finally get close to the species because they’re so shy and they were my “spark bird” way back in 1969. I figured that was likely my once in a lifetime close-up experience with this elusive species but five days ago in the Wasatch Mountains of Summit County it happened again.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I had stopped along a gravel road to watch for birds in the nearby vegetation when this beautiful male landed on a lichen-encrusted fence post right in front of me and very close. He wasn’t there for long so I only got a few shots and I’m posting this one because I like his head turn and eye contact as he briefly checked me out. I wish I had enough depth of field to get the front of the post sharper but if I’d taken the time to change any camera settings I may not have been able to get any quality shots at all – he was only on the post for a few seconds.
I adore the red cap and distinctive throat markings of Green-tailed Towhees.
Males and females of the species are similar so how do I know this one is a male?
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Because just before he flew off he broke out into song and only males of the species are known to sing.
This time I didn’t get a natural perch but the fence post is old weathered wood and I like the lichens on top so I won’t complain.
Ron
Very cool and nice to see your inspiration. Beautiful bird. Only a male chorus?!
Oh how beautiful! I just love your photography for so many reasons, and chief among them is your dedication to be out there, consistently, (nearly) every day with the ability, learned over many, many mistakes, to bring us these spectacular shots. The lichen-covered weathered fence post along with this beauty is a bonus!
You mentioned the other day that I had a soft spot in my heart for the loggerhead shrikes. Yes, those and so many other birds–almost all of them. They delight my soul, each in their own way, and bring me an abundance of joy. Yesterday, while hanging out at a swap meet, an unidentified sparrow-sized feathered buddy stopped to serenade me for about 30 seconds, then went on about his/her business out in the desert. That joy stayed with me all day. So I GET it that you’re jumping up and down, clapping your hands (shutter) and saying “Come back and do it again!”
Whether it’s a punk-rock look or a toupee, that bird IS adorable! Happy for you that you’ve had such good luck with these rascally fellas this season — and he must have known that a song would be the perfect punctuation mark to cap off your time together. Beautiful photos, all around.
Rascally defines them well, Chris – at least when it comes to catching them out in the open and close. Nesting season will soon be over for them and after that they’ll be even more skulky.
Such a stylish bird – and I love his toupee.
How generous of him to pose on an accrptable (to you) perch AND sing for you.
Agreed, EC. Sure glad he chose the post instead of the wire beneath it!
Pretty bird and great shots. No wonder they are one of your favorites. Headed north and will be through Salt lake tomorrow hopefully making Idaho Falls and up to Ruby valley Tuesday. Hoping the redtails will be active considering there should be chicks. Maybe make it down into the Centennial valley at some point during the month or so we will be in the area..it will be tough to get my wife off the streams however. She really has fly fishing fervor.
Thx again for the posts,
Frank
Have a safe trip and a productive time while you’re there, Frank. Still not sure when I’ll be able to make it up there. Frustrating…
Such a beauty. Thank you Ron!
Thanks, Jean.
Lovely! Great light, wonderful eye contact, beautiful colors, the colors are nicely balanced withing the image, he even has his crest up!
Thank you, April.
Same canyon as last time, Ron?
Yup.
Wow! Doesn’t get much better than this! Have you thought about buying a lottery ticket recently?
Ha, lotteries aren’t legal in Utah, Diane.
Want one of us to buy a ticket for you? 😉
🙂
Ditto the other comments and as Dick would say VBG! 😀
🙂
Wonderful!!! Love the colors…background, bird, wood, lichens! I must correct you, however…what you refer to as a red “cap” is actually a toupe. I have two redheaded nephews and recognize a toupe when I see one( although, in their case, the hair was real…got much darker, even quite gray,now)….
It does look kind of like a toupe, Patty – especially in that last shot.
The gray of the wood and the gray of the bird, the green of the tail and the green of the background, the red of the lichens and the red of the toupe…even the poop on the post all echo the colors of the bird!!!
Wow! Two encounters in such a short span of time is amazing. One reason the perch works so well is that the color of the lichens matches the color of the Towhee’s cap. IMO, good lichens are always a pleasant addition to a photo – or photo subject.
I agree about lichens, Susan.
I love how the green background enhances the green tail and red head on this beautiful bird. Thank you, Ron.
Thanks, Alice.
Great shots of a beautiful little bird 🙂 We get the spotted here and they are fun to watch scratching around at the base of the bird feeder and in the leaves and pine needles.
Judy, I usually have trouble getting close to Spotted Towhees too.
Ditto everything that Allison said………and I also love the way the plain pale green backdrop points up that beautiful red head, and the lichens which almost seem to “accessorize” that
exquisite little cap .
Good point about the lichens accessorizing the red cap, Kris. Thanks.
I love the decidedly knowing look that this exquisite bird was giving you in the first photo! And your capturing this male in song. I also was quite moved by your saying you “adore” the red cap and distinctive throat markings of Green-tailed Towhees! I read recently that birdwatching is great training for mindfulness. How you’ve fully engaged in this heart-opening practice is as clear as your photos are! 🙂
Thanks for the interesting and thoughtful comment, Alison. While composing this post I actually changed “love” to “adore” because I thought that word more accurately described how I feel about those features. I guess when it comes to birds I’m just an old softie…
Marvelous Ron!
Charlotte
I’m glad you like it, Charlotte.
Ron – What a beautiful bird! Thank you.
Thanks, Richard.