Something a little different from me today. Actually, a lot different.
I often complain about birds that photobomb my images. It typically happens with waterfowl or wading birds on a pond and coots are notorious as photobombers but any species can do the dirty deed. It always seems to happen when the subject bird is doing something particularly interesting and the photobombing bird in the background or foreground usually ruins the shot because it’s so distracting.
But I love this photobombing meadowlark.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
In July three summers ago I had been photographing this Burrowing Owl as it hopscotched from perch to perch. The owl was obviously in hunting mode and looking for prey below each perch.
But when the owl landed on this sagebrush the meadowlark took great exception to its presence in what was apparently its territory and flew in and landed on another sagebrush about 2′ behind the owl. From this vantage point the meadowlark put up quite a ruckus as it repeatedly sounded its “chupp” alarm call, which is what it’s doing here.
That poor owl had its hands (wings) full as it alternately kept an eye on me in one direction, the annoying meadowlark directly behind it and watched for prey below the perch. I have photos of it looking in all three directions.
As I said above I virtually never like my images that have been photobombed by another bird so initially I was surprised that I liked this one. Eventually I decided the reason it appeals to me is because it’s so highly representative of one of my favorite habitats, the sagebrush steppe. It includes two signature bird species of that habitat and the namesake sagebrush is green and attractive (it isn’t always).
And it helps that the meadowlark is placed so well in the frame. If it had intersected the owl the meadowlark would only have annoyed me.
Ron
Notes:
- I was being facetious when I referred to the meadolark as the owl’s friend in my title. Obviously they were far from friends.
- If you’ve had sufficient coffee this morning subscribers may have noticed that the title of this post is different than it was in my post email. That’s because I changed the title after publishing the post. And because I obviously hadn’t had enough coffee when I hit the “Publish” button…
Addendum at 7:12 AM – We just had a SIGNIFICANT earthquake here in the Salt Lake Valley about 5 minutes ago! Lasted for about 5-7 seconds and shook the hell out of my house. Haven’t noticed any damage yet but there could be. It’s still mostly dark outside. To be honest it scared the shit out of me.
They’re now saying it was a 5.7 quake centered in Magna UT which is on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley and very close to me. That was some serious rockin’ and rollin’.
There have been 7 14 aftershocks already with the strongest being a 3.9 (another one just hit, a 4.4, as I was updating this number). There’s at least some damage to some homes and 32,000 are without power. Airport evacuated, coronavirus hotline shut down.
And the statue of the Angel Moroni on Temple Square has lost his trumpet (it fell right out of his hands) – see link.
You might have a unique twofer there. And the yellow eyes on one and yellow feathers on the other really add to the image.
I was 10 miles from the ‘89 Loma Prieta quake epicenter. The aftershocks were more stressful than anything. I know your heart races with each one. They will end. Wish I could tell you when. if I was you I would be staying in the trailer tonight. You might sleep better without the roof over you
“the yellow eyes on one and yellow feathers on the other really add to the image”
I can’t believe I missed that, Lyle. It should have jumped right out at me.
I thought about staying in the trailer tonight but in the end decided against it. Hope I don’t regret it…
Your earthquake sounded serious to me. I used your link to the Temple and I see the Golden Trumpet where it stoped falling.
I enjoyed the Owl and Meadowlark pic is lovely.
Thank you, Linda.
Rock & Roll! YIKES! Sounds like a mess tho I’m certain it could have been MUCH worse! Really needed this on top of the Covid-19 thing….. GEEZ!
Meadowlark “works” in this case as SEO still is the “star”……….. 🙂
Yup, it sure could have been worse but it was definitely bad enough.
That owl looks mighty exasperated by its “friend.” 🤣
Glad you’re OK after the rude shake-a-shake-a this morning. Hopefully, any damage in the area is slight and the trumpet didn’t knock any walls down.
I think he was exasperated, Marty. Too many things to be watching in too many directions.
Love that Meadowlark as background for the owl.
Napa CA. had a 6.0 quake about five years ago that really knocked the crap out of a lot of the downtown buildings, historic and newer. The Napa quake had a “Severe” rating for intensity and it felt much much stronger just twenty miles away than any of the other similar magnitude seismic events.
Hope your quake damage is on the lighter side and your weather too.
Thanks, Dave.
I’m guessing I’m about 12 miles away from where this quake and the aftershocks came from. Some of the aftershocks are pretty darned intense.
What a morning.
I am glad you are safe, and hope that the inconvenience is minimal.
Angels NEED their trumpets to blow the alarm. A sneaky trick of the earthquakes to silence that one.
And yes, add me to those who enjoy the photobomber.
“What a morning”.
Boy, that’s for sure, EC. I wonder what’s next.
2020 is definitely shaping up to be a year to remember. The world over..
When I was at AI last year I kept hearing this beautiful song but never seeing the bird. Finally one popped up out of the sage and I got a shot !!
Gary, right now meadowlarks are everywhere on the island.
Wish I were there !! I will be stopping there for two days on my way to Yellowstone last week of May if the Southweswt is still flying then.
Beautiful shot. That little bit of yellow behind him works for me❗️
Since we’re hunkering down for awhile it’s a perfect time to go back and look at my favorite posts of yours ❤️
Hang on with those aftershocks. Be safe
“Hang on” is the perfect way to put it, Diana.
I LOVE this shot. Of course it helps that burrowing owls and meadowlarks are very near the top of my favorite birds list and sage is definitely at the top of my favorite flora list. I can almost smell it. It also helps that you captured the owl’s stink eye toward you perfectly along with the meadowlark’s disdain! I’m a firm believer in watching the background of photos and TV and movies/videos for that matter. Often, what’s going on in the background is more entertaining and informative, especially current national press conferences.
Just heard about your earthquake and a 5.7 is pretty significant. Odd how we tend to take the stability of the ground beneath our feet for granted, isn’t it? I know I take it for granted. Thus far, I’ve managed to avoid earthquakes, but I’ve done just about every other natural disaster. I hope to keep that experience list intact throughout the remainder of my life!
This one was scary, Laura. I’ve been in a number of others but this one seemed more ominous and threatening.
Not many birds can sound off as well as a Meadowlark. Bet he was really letting it all out regarding the owl’s presence. Great shot of the owl. Just curious – did you get any shots at different angles without the Meadowlark? Hope you had your coffee prior to the 5.7 shaker. Had lots of those during my 30 years living and working in Los Angeles and Orange County.
Everett, Yes, I got some shots of the owl without the meadowlark.
I lived in southern Cal for many years but this quake felt stronger than any of the ones I experienced down there. A FB friend from southern Cal says the same thing.
Beautiful shot!
Wild morning! Glad you are ok. We have had 3 aftershocks here so far.
Trib is reporting 7 aftershocks so far. I’ve only felt one of them.
I’d love to be out on the Sagebrush prairie right now – searching for some Burrowing Owls and Meadow Larks. Beautiful shot!
Thank you, Joanne.
Gorgeous shot, and two of my favorite birds. I worked in a photo lab for a while after college and had a collection of prints that the customers discarded at the counter because they were “bad” shots, but those happy accidents were always my favorites.
Thanks, Stephanie. I’ll bet some of those “bad shots” could be highly entertaining.
Consider it a habitat shot. Other species are part of the owl’s environment. I like this a lot.
Good. I thought I might be the only one. Thanks, Dave.