This Western Meadowlark gave me just about every stretching pose in the book. And no, my title isn’t meant to imply that this bird has three wings.
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
I found this cooperative Western Meadowlark three years ago today on Antelope Island. (S)he was close, in good light and whether it’s a good thing or not, natural backgrounds don’t come much cleaner or more uniform than this one. I look at the background as a positive because it sets off the various poses of the meadowlark so well. Opinions on that may vary.
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 320, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Suddenly he began to leisurely stretch his right wing downward as he drew one claw on his right foot along most of the length of the outside primary feather on that wing. That was something I’d never seen before so I documented it using several additional photos in a previous post.
I was pleasantly surprised that it was his right wing, the one we can see best. In my experience birds usually stretch their far wing just to be contrary…
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 320, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
But then he stretched his left wing downward too and even though we can’t see this wing as well he fanned his tail and raised his right wing slightly to make up for it.
At this point I figured the stretching display was over and he would fly off, as birds often do soon after stretching.
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 320, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
But I was wrong. Instead he gave me a bilateral vertical wing stretch. He didn’t raise his wings all the way but I’m ok with that because if he had I’d probably have clipped his wingtips.
The other thing I appreciated was that he didn’t turn his face away from me during the entire performance, as they so often do.
Good bird.
Ron
Great observation and great sleuthing!
I would love to see these shots on the wall as a 4-photograph series. This little guy is soooo photogenic — and he knows it! Yeah, he’s showing off. 😉 Just gorgeous!
I’m running out of wall space, Marty! Thank you.
Time to buy a bigger house. 😉
Now I’ll be looking for claw grooming on every bird I see, not to mention wing stretch yoga. Leave it to you to point out another subtle but fascinating bird behavior.
I’ve been looking for it for 3 years now but haven’t noticed it again, Lyle.
Grace, beauty, athleticism. Some birds have it all. And I am not even (very) jealous.
I am MUCH more patient with critters than I am our species.
I’m more patient with critters than I am with ANYTHING else, EC!
Yup. Much more.
I agree with Judy, he just wanted to show-off for you! Also agree with Kathy about the background.
Great shots!!
Thanks, Dick.
The very first comment of the morning by Kathy says it all, “But then you have the patience to wait and see.” My middle name is impatience and it often costs me out taking bird and wildlife photos. Patience is a virtue. Gorgeous photos Ron. Absolute perfection. He gave you his full on display and you were ready. The light was perfect, can’t envision a better background, and the bold colors against that background at least to me are perfect. If I was looking for a song bird photo to frame this would be it.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Patience never comes natural for me, Everett. Even with birds I have to work at it but I’ve learned to just grit my teeth…. and wait. Sometimes for what seems like forever. Thank you.
He was giving you a teaching moment on how it’s done correctly! 😍 You do get the best poses don’t you! But then you have the patience to wait and see…the key to it all. Kudos on that perfect background also.
It was quite a demonstration, Kathy. But you’re right, patience is key.
Nice! 🙂 You want “pose”? I’ll give you “pose” – almost like a muscle man demonstration? 😉
You’re right, Judy. I think I’ll call him Arnold…