This isn’t the same male I posted yesterday and I like this photo better.
This is one of the two males that were hanging out together when I arrived at my campsite in the afternoon two days ago. That time of day the light was bright and fairly harsh but with the sun so high in the sky I still managed to get a catch light in the eye and the fact that the rock perch (volcanic I believe?) was dark instead of lighter-colored helped.
Both males and the single female spent most of their time on an old stump or in trees but this one had come down to the ground in search of insects and took a brief interlude on the rock. Among other things I like his head turn.
I can tell the two males apart because the red on the head of this one is darker and more intense than it is on the other male.
I’m camped in an isolated and beautiful campsite in Idaho near the Montana border. When I leave camp just before dawn I can see the beautiful and jagged outline of the backside of the Tetons to the east and a half hour drive puts me in Montana’s Centennial Valley.
Things could be worse…
Ron
PS – Unlike yesterday when it was cloudy all day it looks to be mostly clear out there this morning so I’ll probably stay at least one more day. But it may be a bit of an uncomfortable day because when I was hooking up the generator in the dark this morning I stumbled on a rock and jarred my back. Always something…
What a beautiful setting to park your rig. This bird makes me homesick for the mountains of New Mexico, as we moved to Florida in 2004 to be close to our daughter and two grandchildren (who promptly relocated to Illinois!).
This male seems more brilliant and I like the pose, too. Hopefully your back will hold out and you will have a bounty of photos to post.
Another beautiful shot. Hope they stay around!
Yay for the bird and boo for the back. Love the more vivid red, the over-the-shoulder look, the lichen on the rock and the bits of grass. Fabulous!
(And I’ll take a not-very-good SEOW shot over no shots any day!) 😉
Ron,
Beautiful. Good luck with the back.
Stephen
I am so sorry that you jarred your back. So very sorry.
And love this incredibly vivid little bird.
Take care.
Both yesterday and today the pictures are beautiful. This one is a favorite. Beautiful and I’m sure it was exciting to have him follow your suggestion. I can imagine how discouraging back problems can be when trying to enjoy yourself. Take care and I hope you get relief soon.
Gorgeous colors and a great photo. Wish I was there with you Ron. In addition to the beautiful scenery, birds, and wildlife, I could be picking up valuable photography pointers. Hope you continue to have a safe and very rewarding trip.
“… just before dawn I can see the beautiful and jagged outline of the backside of the Tetons …”
Sigh.
Here’s hoping your back issue won’t interfere with what appears to be a fabulous trip. That tanager – well, awesome seems so inadequate.
I think this photo is PERFECTION——the head-turn adds such a dynamic quality ! Do Summer Tanagers ever show up in the Centennial Valley ? I’ve seen only
one in my lifetime , and it was a fiery thrill ! I hope you won’t pay a price for stumbling around in the dark……..
Wow! Wonderful capture.
Ron. Just wondering where you camp specifically.. because i was just in red rocks for 2 1/2 days. And yes the w tanangers were spectacular. We were part of an odd event. We arrived saturday afternoon. Right sfter the snowstorm and cold.. roads were clear and most snow gone. But it had snowed 5” plus night before. There were huge numbers of tanangers and bluebirds on the ground in the roadways.. what i imagine a “groundfall” to be.. the tanangers were eating off the road, not in the bushes. The next day walking to shoreline the tananger were so plentiful one walked in between my legs and hopped onto my boot. . So odd.. there were 5-10 in a couple hundred space of road. My shots made them seem like the had been in fight.. feathers askew. Wet. Puffed up… they were in similar numbers on sunday. By mon. Numbers were fewer and they were more dispursed. Disappointed in saw only 1 short ear owl and not hunting and flew away. (By dam). We photod many tananger, bluebire, also horned lark. All in road gulley. With all the aspen. No woodpeckers which i thought odd. We had a 7 moose day but no bull Where do you find best spots in centennial valley. Thx for your blog
Wow, that tanager fallout must have been something, Barb! I’m jealous. As usual I’m a day late and 99 cents short. I understand similar tanager events have been occurring in many intermountain states.
I camp in a variety of places when I’m up here – near Stoddard Creek, the lower lake campground and in the mountains near Spencer, ID for example. Typically I spend only about half my time in the Centennial Valley, the rest of it I’m wandering in all the nearby mountains.
I saw 2 SEOW’s this morning near one of the bridges but only got photos of one of them and I’m sure they aren’t very good.
Yes we were at lower lake. One of the locals says he sees seow by the dam in october. 5-15 sometimes. Am i assuming migrating through?? Take care of your back and self. I love ypur blog… old teachers never die….
Fantastic shot Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Ouch on the back! But what a lovely bird. I wonder if it is a juvenile since the colors seem softer to me. Or that may be the light. He does have the turn of the neck going, doesn’t he?
Thanks, Arwen. My back situation is going to be interesting today I’m afraid.
What a gorgeous specimen! I agree with the turned head and I especially like the background blur. Everything is near perfection…I do like the darkness of that rock. A bright whitish rock at the base would have skewed everything!
I actually suggested to him that he perch on that rock, Kathy. Not kidding, I talk to my birds… 🙂
Beautiful! Whole bird shows better in this one……. 🙂 Don’t even need to be messing with your back! 🙁 Hope it’s a better day today light wise… 🙂
It looks to be a nice day so far, Judy. But as you know in this area that could change quickly.
Beautiful, magnificent, all I can say!!
Thank you, Dick.