Nothing major today – just one of those little mini-dramas in the daily life of birds. But it does play out in a pretty setting.
1/5000, f/6.3, 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
As many readers know about two weeks ago I spent several days photographing a variety of bird species in and on a wild rose loaded with rose hips. White-crowned Sparrows were one of the species and this adult perched in this fairly exposed spot for a few moments. But suddenly this bird and a few others dove for cover. At first I didn’t know why but when I looked up from my viewfinder there was a Northern Harrier flying low over us.
Notice the raised crown. Perhaps it’s already spotted the harrier.
There’s nothing like a harrier or one of the accipiters to make songbirds do a panic dive for cover. This sparrow dove straight into the bush and didn’t come out for some time.
1/4000, f/6.3, 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
And when it finally did reappear it was certainly tentative about it. This wide view gives us a pretty good look at the escape avenue it had used – the relatively dark and open pathway through the leaves behind the sparrow. The bird stayed partially hidden like this at the opening for some time, looking around to make sure the harrier was gone and everything was safe. And then it flew off.
Here’s a tighter crop of the same photo for a more intimate look at the sparrow.
Nothing exciting I know, unless you were the sparrow. But it was interesting to watch.
Ron
Nice job getting that white crown in the photo. Seems like every time I see what looks like it might be a white-crowned I’m lucky if it turns around so I can see the white stripe before it flies off. I wonder if this one has been pecking at the rose hip behind it.
Lyle, we’re lucky enough to usually have many of them around this time of year. I was happy to get this adult though because a very high percentage of them are juveniles and they don’t have the white crown.
Ron, I’ve been in Hurricane, Utah “jeeping” recently so missed your comments on your condition. I surely hope that you are making some progress at getting better, and alleviate the pain.
So, back to today’s post, just love the sparrow and the wild rose with rose hips. The colors are spectacular. Pretty interesting capture of victim avoiding and escaping predator.
Thank you, Ron and all the best.
Thanks, Alice. And I appreciate the good wishes.
Beautiful! Stunning setting.
I’m glad you like them, April.
These day-to-day in the daily lives of birds are spectacular! I have a similar thing going on with the rose bushes just outside my front door. Almost every time I open the door, eleventy zillion various sparrows, finches and often the curved-bill thrasher(s) explode out of the roses and head for the much sparser cover across the road. There are so many that it’s hard to believe everybody has a perch in there somewhere. The rose bushes–three of them that are overgrown–are the cover for the feeders and bird baths.
The sad thing is this female Kestrel COULD be chasing/catching these guys if she weren’t so terrified of live food. It’s a perfect setup for a Kestrel, but NOOOO! SIGH!
That said, white-crowned sparrows are high up on the list of my favorite birds. I just love their song…so very beautiful!
I wish I had that much variety in the birds in my yard, Laura. Jealous!
Yeah, well that variety (including yellow-headed blackbirds and others that aren’t coming to mind right now other than the ubiquitous pigeons and doves) are eating me out of house and home along with the bunnies!! 😉 Now if I could keep the feral cattle from eating my mulberry tree… At this point, if that tree survives it will be a bloody miracle!
Nothing exciting? I beg to differ. I can’t imagine living life with the necessity of being constantly alert. Spectacular setting for this brave little trooper too.
Thank you, EC.
Your artistic vision is definitely exhibited in these pictures as well as the great documentation of behavior. Beautiful work.
Thanks very much, Betty.
Living in a more open area than we came from it is very obvious, regardless of species, song birds will disappear (as long as they can see it) whenever an avian predator presents itself. Every Fall into early winter and early Spring, we have Harriers occasionally visiting our neighboring 600 acre meadow/wet field. Birds abandon our feeders, we see nothing on the ground or on local roof tops.
Your post is quite appropriate! Love the pictures, and since I have a neophyte interest in plants love that bush. What a great stage!
Thanks for sharing.
Dick, when I’m out shooting at places like this bush it’s often the songbirds themselves that give me my first hint that there’s a predatory bird nearby. Suddenly everything will grow quiet and/or birds will disappear so I look up and sure enough – there’s often a harrier or accipiter close by. Red-tails often elicit the same response.
I know that raptors hunt songbirds, but really haven’t thought much about it. So this story is a welcome reminder of one of the realities in the life of a small songbird. It makes me glad I’m not a songbird because I’m so slow that I’d end up as prey!
Predator danger is always an element in their lives, Susan. And when they need to be those accipiters especially are incredibly fast so the little guys have to always be vigilant.
I really like this short story of peril avoided. The second shot is my favorite, showing the ever serious, intense focus and alertness to its surroundings. This is a nice showcase for these fine little birds. Thank you for starting our days off so well.
I like these little glimpses into the daily lives of birds, Dave. Sometimes not very dramatic but still interesting.
Nice photos Ron. We live relatively safe lives, until maybe we get into our car and hit the road, but all of nature seems to have a predator lurking nearby. I know the songs birds in our backyards here live in fear of the very dangerous Cooper’s Hawk. You’ve really hit a goldmine with those wild rose shrubs. Hope you are taking good care of yourself and on the way to complete recovery.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
I’ve never seen a wild rose around here so loaded with rose hips, Everett. It was fun while it lasted.
The first shot us absolutely gorgeous! The light, colors, composition — you nailed it, Ron! And as much as I like the first shot, I think I like the post-harrier one even more because I get a more detailed glimpse into “a day in the life.”
Hope the meds are finally starting to work!
IS, dammit, not us! Stupid autocorrect! 😡
Thanks, Marty. I wish I could say they were.
CRAP!!! I’m so sorry. 🙁
Great photos, Ron. And Judy is right a bout the rose hips being a great background for the bird. I think the white stripes on this bird are much narrower than those of another one you posted recently. Does it seem so to you?
You’re right, Nancy. Good eye.
That first image is just GORGEOUS—somehow, the vibrant rosy-orange of the fruits actually serve to point up the subtle buffy color under the wings–maybe it’s
partly local color reflection from the rose hips–but WHAT a strong and beautiful portrait altogether ! Thanks for a lovely start to the day………
Interesting observation, Kris. Thanks.
White-crowned Sparrows are among my favorite birds. We see them only as they migrate spring and fall along with their cousins, White throated Sparrows. He looks beautiful among the rose hips.
I like the setting too, Judy. Kinda busy with red but…
The rose hips certainly set off the sparrow! They really do scatter when a predator appears – most notably at the bird feeders! Have a few around at the moment and they are noisy in the leaves on the ground……:)
Thanks, Judy. I haven’t had my feeder out for some time so it’s a behavior I haven’t seen in my yard for a while.