This bird almost waited too long to get the hell out of Dodge.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Twelve days ago I had a great time photographing a variety of birds on a gorgeous wild rose loaded with colorful rose hips. I’m not sure what attracted them to the bush in such numbers and varieties because I never noticed any of them eating the hips so maybe they were just pleasing their own sense of aesthetics by perching in an attractive setting (said facetiously).
This Sage Thrasher was one of them.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
When I saw the thrasher crouch to take off I instinctively fired a short burst in hopes of getting a nice takeoff shot. That didn’t happen but I did get some unexpected and interesting behavior in the next frame.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
It’s called displacement. Another thrasher flew in and displaced the bird that had been perched there. The incoming bird was so aggressive about it and confident of its status relative to the first bird that it apparently landed on the same twig just as the other thrasher was leaving it. I even have to wonder if their feet didn’t touch during the perch exchange.
Birds displace other birds for a variety of reasons but they’re mostly related to social status, dominance and competition for resources (food, territory, mates etc.). The birds involved may be of the same species or different species. Most anyone who loves birds has seen it because it’s a behavior that often occurs at or near bird feeders.
Raptors do it too. If you’re interested here’s a link to a post I published of a Golden Eagle displacing a Cooper’s Hawk (or possibly a Sharp-shinned Hawk).
I’ve posted several birds on this wild rose recently so I thought some viewers might enjoy a different perspective on it. This photo was taken in the golden light of morning so the colors are slightly skewed but in a pleasing way. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more lush looking, rose hip-loaded wild rose here in the desert.
And it sure was productive for birds while it was in its prime but I visited the area again recently and there wasn’t a single bird on it in the time I was there.
Birds are unpredictable like that.
Ron
I wonder if the “displacer” could fly in and boot out a couple of kids from my room. 😉
In my experience with kids like that you might need a grizzly instead of a bird, Marty. Grizzly’s are experts at displacement, especially when feeding.
Displacement is something we watch often around our feeders. And are blown away by how often MUCH smaller birds are able to evict the big birds. And how often they win the ‘beak-offs’.
Brilliant series. And how I would love to see that rose in bloom. Either blooming with flowers or with birds.
Exactly, EC. The victors in the “displacement wars” aren’t necessarily the larger birds. Thanks.
I remember the Eagle post well!
However, with this post I have a photography question. The three shots of the Thrasher, the head/eye is sharp as a tack, but slightly below, above or to the side of the head and eye varies from fairly sharp to soft. Why? E.G. the third shot the wing feathers of the incoming bird seem almost sharp to me, but they are on a slightly different plain than the head and eye of the leaving thrasher. Another Why? Is it my eyes? What am I missing here?
Dick, in the first two shots I had my focus point on the eye and I had very little DOF so sharpness falls off rapidly behind that plane.
In that third shot very little is as sharp as it should be. It’s possible I jerked my lens as the bird took off. I still do that occasionally in takeoff situations.
Many thanks for the explanation. I tend to jerk my camera about 80-90% of the time so I have a lot of catching up to do and not too much time to do it! VBG!
Many thanks for the last shot, what a perspective that is! Gives us a good view of what the birds are seeing as well as what you see from your truck. Beautiful Rose-hip shrub.
Liked them sll, but the first is a classic…subject, angle, colors of berries and leaves, detail, composition…..Love it!!! The
Patty, I thought your artistic inclination might ding me for the couple of berries that are close it its head… 🙂
I KNEW IT!!! I expected you to pick on those “extra” berries over the bird’s head!!! You didn’t let me down…nit picker!!! Gotcha!!! Yes, it might be a bit better without them, but it’s still beautiful!!!
That made me smile, Patty – believe me I needed it.
You mean to say I’m predictable?
Beautiful shots. The one of golden as well. Great post.
Thanks, Betty.
Great capture! I’m always interested to see what behavior is observable when one takes the time to just watch. That rosebush is absolutely amazing. Definitely not what you expect of a desert plant. And not what I would have imagined from the photos of that one twig.
Susan, “that one twig” that was in my previous posts can be seen at the upper right of the bush.
Great photos. Perfect. I love seeing the wider view of rose bush so we can place the little slice of perfection in context!
Then I’m glad I included that shot, Joanne. I almost didn’t, I only added it as an afterthought.
Great “capture” Ron! 🙂 The wild rose loaded with hips early in the morning is beautiful! For whatever reason many “fruit” trees/bushes have been over bearing – lots of broken branches from “the load”. Eagle/hawk displacement was also interesting – I’ve noticed that behavior……….. Hope you’re starting to feel better………
Our fruit bearing trees and bushes had a bumper crop this year too, Judy. And the summer was extremely dry. Go figure…
Ron, when conditions are extremely dry, plants tend to make a last ditch effort to reproduce.
That’s right, Susan. I actually had that in the back of my mind when I made that comment (which implied that I didn’t know…)
Great action shot. Whether birds, animals or we humans – the more stronger more aggressive displaces the weaker. That wild rose with the hips is a magnet for bird shots. Thanks Ron.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Thank you, Everett.
So there is a word for that action! Good to know…I’ve seen that behavior with different species. Your first photo is really great…love the muted background color with the hips and leaves…and the thrasher fits the spot perfectly. His contrasting eye color pops right out and draws your eye! Great catch! 😍 Looking at the second photo you get the feeling the bird is sensing ‘deja vu’ ! The rose bush is really a great specimen…it certainly produces large beautiful hips. Makes me think of ‘Rose Hip Jelly’ spread on a piece of toasted home made bread in the middle of winter! ❤️
“you get the feeling the bird is sensing ‘deja vu’ ”
Yup, that bird certainly knew what was coming in that shot, Kathy. I’m just a little surprised it waited so long to vacate the perch.
I’ve never tasted rose hip jelly but I’ve heard of it.