Marsh Wrens are twitchy almost by definition but this little guy had it bad.
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 400, 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 photographed this fairly recently fledged and somewhat scraggly looking Marsh Wren four days ago at Bear River MBR (I don’t know its sex but I’ll refer to it as a male). Wrens are known for being nervous and fidgety but this bird was twerky and jerky to extreme and in an unorganized sort of way that didn’t seem to make much sense. This was one of the few times he held still – probably because he was checking me out.
I can’t really explain some of what followed so I’ll only describe what I observed and photographed.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Apparently he wanted to turn around on the perch so he used his wings to barely lift his body off the reed and twist in the air so he could…
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
land facing me. Befitting such a young and inexperienced bird his landing was awkward but…
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
he seemed to stabilize on the perch just fine. But then…
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
he performed some kind of seemingly spastic jerk where he raised his wings and closed his eyes – for what reason I have no idea. The maneuver seemed to have absolutely no purpose in the context of things.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Then he started looking up – sometimes straight up and other times at a slight angle like this. I figured he might be looking for another perch up there so I reframed my shots so I would be less likely to clip any body parts if that’s the direction he headed.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Sure enough, he took off upwards but at an angle I may have never photographed before. He launched…
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
absolutely straight up.
And then when he was less than a foot above his original perch he changed his mind and turned abruptly in the air to our left and flew off without even attempting to land on his apparently intended perch. I know what happened from the shots that followed but they were soft and the bird was clipped so I deleted them.
I realize that this was a minor event but I always enjoy bird behaviors whether they’re quirky and unexplained or not. And besides, I was happy to get this last shot because the angle of takeoff was so unusual.
Sometimes it doesn’t take much to please this bird photographer.
Ron
Great series again. Nothing surprises me after living with birds for so many years. I gave up trying to read our birds quirky behavior and just except it for what it is.
“I gave up trying to read our birds quirky behavior and just except it for what it is.”
Ha, I wish some folks would do that with me, April! I’m fond of my own little quirks but that feeling isn’t always shared by others… 🙂
And this scuffy, unco-ordinated adolescent can perform acts I can only dream of…
I do love the little birds, the faster than greased lightening little birds, and am so very grateful to you for capturing some of their antics.
Thank you, EC.
Love the group, but that last pic is special! I love wrens especially the juvies
I agree about that last shot, Joanne. Thanks.
This series left me smiling. Your bird definitely looks young and not experienced. I’ve only seen a Marsh Wren once, and I remember the experience fondly. Wrens are always fun to watch. It looks to me like the bird is next to an amaranth plant.
You’re right – it does look a little like amaranth, Susan. Thanks.
Insert string of superlatives and OH WOWS here!
Just amazing, and the last image seriously takes my breath away.
You rock! Sorry to be so ridiculously redundantly redundant and repetitive again, but in my defense, all the astronauts think redundancies and backups are a good thing…LOL!
AND I’m back online again. YIPPEE!
Congrats on getting back online, Laura. From what I’ve seen on FB it looks like many of your friends have been missing you there.
I know Ron and I need to go back there. I just needed the time to recharge and regenerate after FB taking up SO much of my life for so long. I needed some peaceful time, watching the sunrise before organizing this house before the sunset caught up with me. I’m getting there.
Friends will understand…
“Sometimes it doesn’t take much to please this bird photographer.”.
Or the rest of us. Great series. I love Marsh Wrens and it’s fun to see their whole body get into the act when they sing. Their curiosity often brings them close, but they seldom cooperate for photos. They’re always bouncing around or keep too many reeds between themselves and the camera.
I can tell you know their typical behavior well, Dan.
I like wrens. Had a house wren who was determined to set up in a camp chair’s mesh can holder. Lol
They’re determined and persistent nesters, Arwen.
Hee-hee!!! I love it!
Thanks, Marie.
Quirky is exactly the word for this little guy — along with clumsy, disheveled, and adorable!
Exactly, Marty!
Wow! Amazing behavioral series Ron!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Interesting! Great capture, Ron. 🙂 Wrens are jerky, ballsy, workaholic little birds and fun to watch.:) Trying to photograph them is a real challenge!
“Wrens are jerky, ballsy, workaholic little birds and fun to watch”
That’s it in a nutshell, Judy!