A Chukar overlooking the Great Salt Lake and the fattest meadowlark you’ve ever seen. I’d bet the farm on it.
Both of these images were taken on Antelope Island in the early spring of 2016.
1/2500, 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
One of the fairly unique opportunities that comes with photographing Chukars on the island is getting the Great Salt Lake in the background. And since many of the rocks Chukars like to perch on look down on the lake from high above the lucky photographer can get an interesting mix of blue water and tan mud flats as a backdrop.
I think that combination is interesting in part because our eye expects the boundary between blue and tan to be the horizon so it should be horizontal or nearly so. But as in this image it sometimes isn’t and that apparent incongruity has the potential of engaging the viewer. When the viewer ponders our images it’s usually a good thing.
I think the calling pose is a bonus.
1/3200, f/7.1, 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
A few weeks earlier I photographed this Western Meadowlark perched on rabbitbrush. It was a cold morning and “he” was fluffed up to the max in an effort to keep warm. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a more chubby-looking meadowlark, or any other bird species for that matter. I almost expected the breeze to roll him off his perch.
Antelope Island has been slow for birds in recent months but I still check on it occasionally. Many of my best photos have been taken on the island and with spring approaching things should soon pick up out there.
Ron
These photos are gorgeous. The Chukar looks like a fine piece and Meadowlark’s saturated yellow is fantastic. I love them both. I think spring is right around the corner as a lot of my bulbs are well out of the ground. Yay!
I hope you’re right about spring, Betty. I’m more than ready for migratory songbirds. Thanks.
I meant nice composition in the Chukar image.
That Meadowlark had better be careful lest he poke himself with that beak and deflate. I’ll keep my eye out for a fatter one so you can turn the farm over to me.
Really nice composition in the Meadowlark image.
Ha, I always have second thoughts when I use that expression, Lyle. You know how important that farm is to me…
The chuker photo is so calming for me, it is my favorite range of colors. I need calming today, I kicked the hornets nest and I have had to catch up on all my response. Good I took the day off for other reasons?
I suspect I might know which hornet’s nest you’re referring to, April. I wish you luck!
That Meadowlark looks like a feathered balloon. All the angles in the Chukar shot definitely add to the visual interest.
We’ve had a few spring-like days and the birds are out. The backyard was very busy when I took the dog out this morning. Fortunately, he’s more interested in “watering” the plants than he is in chasing birds. Several LBJs of various shapes and sizes, some Mourning Doves, Black Phoebes, and I think an Orange Crowned Warbler (but I’m not sure). They are especially interested in the orange trees.
Thanks, Marty. It’s been so long since I’ve seen a warbler I’m not sure I could distinguish one from a penguin at this point…
)…You just THINK that is an inflated Meadowlark, but it is actually a huge Meadowlark balloon, which will be flying in 2019, in the annual MACY’s THANKSGIVING PARADE!!! (Providing the winds aren’t too strong
I miss a lot of stuff, don’t I, Patty…
I wouldn’t lie to you!!!😈
Until I started reading your blog, I always wondered why the robins in our neighborhood looked so fat in the winter. Just recently I saw a group of robins eating the decayed little fruit that hang on to the trees for the winter (it seems birds will only touch these little fruits in the middle of the winter (the arborists have tried to breed these out for the decorative trees but there still are some). This group of robins had that really fat look, but because of your guidance Ron, I could see that it was their feathers that were puffed out. They look a lot like the Meadowlark in your post.
Most birds can really puff up when they need to but this meadowlark looks as portly as any I’ve seen. Thanks, Bradley.
Beautiful! The Chucker stretched out and calling against a muted, varied background is great. Only thing bright about him is the beak and eye but the other muted colors are beautiful. So smooth like waxwings and doves. That meadowlark certainly looks “fat”. More snow/blow/cold for us……. 🙁 Fish Wildlife and Parks biologist called yesterday regarding the eagle death. Sent photos live and dead and will take the carcass in when the weather clears – don’t “have to” but they would like it.
Thanks, Judy. Interesting that they want you to transport the eagle yourself. From what I’ve heard they often advise folks to be very careful about having an eagle (or eagle feathers) in your possession for fear of prosecution.
She said in MT you don’t even have to report them but they appreciate it if you do. I was a bit surprised at that. Being in possession of feathers is a Federal Offence as far as I know.
Think someone is “misinformed”?……. 🙁 Sigh………
http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2011/02/eagle_parts.html
Great shots Ron! It was because of the Chukar that I recognized one when I saw one in Missouri. Of course I almost got shot trying to photograph it and I realized it must have been an import and the hunters were indeed hunting it. I was in my car so I escaped, but didn’t get very good shots of the bird. At least I got to see one (if only briefly). Indeed, that’s the fattest Meadowlark I’ve ever seen.
Sending healing wishes your way. Almost time for you to get back on the road.
Charlotte
If it wasn’t for hunting Chukars wouldn’t be here – they’re exotics from Asia deliberately imported by multiple states for hunting purposes – much like Ring-necked Pheasants. Thank you, Charlotte.
This one seems very comfortable with humans walking by and was sitting in a tree maybe 6′ up. I’m tall so I could just about look him in the tailfeathers. Gorgeous when he took off. 😀
That Meadowlark is a chunk! Might be a new evolutionary way of avoiding being eaten. “If I am this fat, you can’t fly off with me!” Mistaken, but… LOLOLOL
The Chukar shot is so fabulous with all the matching colors of sky, land, and feathers.
OH! I thought of you on a recent walk down my street (in Rio Rancho proper!). I saw a crow that was not a crow. It turned out to be a Cooper’s Hawk. It must live in the neighborhood as I have seen it more than once. Very pretty bird. From the coloring, I am guessing it’s a he. But the darn thing will let me walk within five feet of it AS LONG AS I don’t have my phone out to take a picture. STINKER!
Arwen, I’m amazed that so many folks seem to be able to get close to Cooper’s Hawks so often. Around here they’re one of our most skittish birds. There’s one resident in my neighborhood but I can never get anywhere near it. Frustrating!
Fantastic photos! The Chukar is beautiful…I love the smoothness of the feathers…it reminds me of the way the feathers lie on MourningDoves. Some birds just sport that very smooth feather texture. The black markings on the breast look to be very carefully painted on. I’m glad you explained the background coloration…it has the appearance of the bird up high on a rock with clouds and sky behind it. Your Meadowlark looks like a yellow tennis ball! You are correct in saying the ‘fattest ever’! 😍 I’m waiting for their return here and their spring calling. Antelope Island sounds like my KillSnake Marsh area…it is bordered by farmlands so I find the best of both worlds to photograph there besides finding peaceful ‘sounds of silence’. I’m sure we all have that favorite spot to seek out. ☺️
“it reminds me of the way the feathers lie on MourningDoves”
Astute observation, Kathy – you’re right. And I like your tennis ball analogy. Thanks.