Plus new information on my recent posts about the nesting Red-tailed Hawks I’ve been following and the unusual nest building behavior of Cliff Swallows I documented.
But first, something a little different from me.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday morning this female Lazuli Bunting landed on a fence right in front of me while I was watching the red-tail nest I’ll be mentioning below. Typically I’m not fond of man made perches but the more I look at the photo the more I like it.
The bunting is sharp from stem to stern, I caught a nice head turn with great light on the entire bird and I think the fresh growth of sagebrush in the background provides a pleasing backdrop and interesting contrast to the artificial perch.
And there’s something less tangible about the photo that also appeals to me. When I look at the image I sense a tension between the confining, almost perfect square of wire enclosing the bunting and the much less confining 5 x 7 aspect ratio of the entire cropped image. I’m typically not one to go all artsy-fartsy about my photos but in this case I do sense that visual tension caused by the frame within a frame and I like it.
Besides, I have very few opportunities to photograph Lazuli Buntings.
Updates on recent posts:
Readers know that because of our recent wild weather that included lots of wind and hail over several days I’ve been very concerned about the welfare of Red-tailed Hawk chicks in a nest I’ve been following. Some raptor nests in our area have been destroyed and chicks have perished. The last time I visited ‘my’ red-tail nest a couple of weeks ago there were at least three very young chicks that were so tiny I could barely see their bills when they raised their heads to be fed by one of their parents. So yesterday I was very relieved to find an intact nest still containing three healthy and growing chicks. At this point they appear to be about half-grown, their flight feathers are just beginning to come in. I’m not posting photos now to protect the location of the nest.
Yesterday I posted photos documenting Cliff Swallows collecting vegetation as nest building material, a behavior that appeared to be at least unusual and possibly little-known or even unknown. Late yesterday I sent a link to that post to Dr. Charles Brown, Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Tulsa and the coauthor of the Cliff Swallow account at Cornell’s Birds of the World. Dr. Brown responded late last night. Following is the most relevant portion of his email:
- “Thanks for sharing the photos. That is indeed quite unusual for a cliff swallow to pick up mud mixed with any sort of vegetation. I have never seen that in 40 years of field work with cliff swallows and having observed hundreds getting mud. It would be interesting to see the bird’s nest and to know if it incorporated the vegetation into the exterior of the nest.”
I want to thank my readers, Dan Gleason in particular but others too, for encouraging me to report the Cliff Swallow behavior. I may not have done it without your encouragement as I’ve been frustrated by that process before.
And thanks to Dr. Brown for his prompt and enlightening response.
Ron
Your Lazuli Lady is such the delicate beauty. Her feet are perfectly centered on the rung of the fence, although her body is not — I like that visual tension as well.
Soooo happy to read about the RTH chicks doing well. I can imagine you holding your breath on approach. And I, like others, applaud your ethics.
Glad you received such a prompt and interesting reply from Dr. Brown. I wonder if the property owners might allow you to sample the nest. You never know. 🙂
Thanks, Marty. In general the property owners in that area aren’t very welcoming to outsiders like me.
Even if the property owners were willing, just how many nests would need to be sampled to ensure that the ‘right one’ was included.
THIS is a feel good post from stem to stern (a phrase I love which I hadn’t come across).
I agree with you about that stunning image and am thrilled to know that the young red-tails are surviving and thriving.
Learning that you got a response so quickly to the additional information/question you provided is the icing on an already delicious (and calorie free) cake.
“a phrase I love which I hadn’t come across”
I’ve never quite understood the phrase – it’s supposed to have nautical reference so why isn’t it “from bow to stern”… 🙂
I’ve heard that phrase all my life. Your question made me wonder, so I looked it up. It would have bugged me not to find out.
Stem means almost the same as bow, going back to early shipbuilding. If I understand it right, the stem is the forward-most part of the center piece (keel) going the length of a wooden ship. It is apparently the upright extension into which the two front sides join together.
Your picture is wonderful. I agree with your comments about the composition.
Thanks for investigating, Phoebe. And for reporting. I won’t forget it now.
Glad to hear the Red tail nest is still there… and you like I can keep quiet about locations 😜
It’s interesting to see something that’s never been seen or heard of before and can even stump a professor ❗️This is one of the reasons I enjoy watching cams. There’s been a few times where it’s been said…. well that’s a new one.
And a great crisp picture of the Lazuli😁
Have a great day
Diana, if there’s anything I can keep quiet about it’s nest and roosting owl locations. Disclosing them is a recipe for disaster.
It is a beautiful photo and to me a common setting to find a mountain bluebird.
Maybe in the fall you could collect a sampling of the cliff swallow nests and sent it to Dr. Brown.
Thanks, April. If the nests are where I think they are they’re on private, posted property.
Great shot! This species is one of my favorite even though I have only seen it several times when I was out West. Every time I see a picture of a male or female it brings back the memory of when we first saw our life Lazuli Bunting!
Thanks, Dick. Memories are important to birders. And to bird photographers.
The bird that got me excited about identifying birds was a painted bunting. This Lazuli is so pretty. I agree about the tension of the frame.
Thanks, Arwen. Nice to know I’m not imagining things. I’ve been known to do just that.
Thanks for all the updates. I’m glad that you did contact Dr. Brown and that he responded so quickly. It’s nice to now that you have documented something new and so unusual. I was hoping he would respond to make it worth your effort to contact him.
I really enjoy seeing the Lazuli Bunting photo. The male is so striking and the female so dull in contrast that most people ignore her, especially for photos. That’s a mistake. She has her own subtle beauty and well worth studying closely. I see these birds frequently but they always seem to be in the distance. It’s nice to look at one in such detail. I wish more people would pay attention to females of other species as well. They would be well rewarded by doing so.
Just an added thought. If you ever have the opportunity to see the mating display, do so. It is a very spectacular dance the male does in front of his intended mate. I once had the opportunity to see this up close and it happened right on the trail in front of my entire class. We saw and heard the male singing on one side of the trail and the female popped up on the other side. Suddenly, he jumped onto the ground in the open on the trail a few yards ahead of us, spread and fluttered his wings and erected and fanned out his tail as a turkey might do, singing all the while. A very big treat for all of my students.
Dan, I’ve wanted to see that display but never have.
Some years ago while I was camping in the San Rafael Swell male Lazuli Buntings were singing from atop grease wood bushes all over the area, with quite a few females enjoying their performances. But I still never saw the display.
She is a true beauty…great colors and a demure glance for you! Most likely a bird I shall never enjoy seeing but this is the next best thing! Glad you got follow-up on your observations and especially about the RedTails! A great day all around. 🙂
It sure was. Thanks, Kathy.
Lovely Lazuli lady – is that a new deck feather in her tail? The Red-tail in my mews is molting, and a Tuvu dropped a lovely primary in the drive way right in front of my husband. He stood there watching it spiral down.
Yes, I noticed that new tail feather too, Sallie. I love her subtle blue colors.
She is a stunner! Thanks for featuring her this morning. And I’m glad you got a positive response from a Cliff Swallow expert. It’s neat to know that your keen observation has contributed to our understanding of nesting behaviors!
Thank you, Diane. I think her beauty is subtle but quite substantial.
I’m sure you know I’m delighted that you found healthy, hearty redtail kiddos after all that bad weather! I’m also sure you know that you won’t disclose the location of the nest also delights my soul! You’re that kind of stand-up guy and I LOVE that!
Chances are slim that I would have ever seen a Lazuli bunting and probably closer to none that I’d be able to see it well enough to ID It! The hog wire frame doesn’t bother me either. THANK YOU!
I’m also delighted Dr. Brown responded to you so quickly. Any chance you can find the cliff swallow nest?
I hope you have a terrific day. You’ve certainly started my day out with beauty (as usual)!
Laura, there’s another red-tail nest in that area with at least two, slightly younger, chicks in it. I’m encouraged.
Little chance of accessing the swallow nests. From what I’ve seen it appears like they’re on private, posted property.
Good morning Ron. Quick response on the way out for my morning search for birding opportunities. I too have had very few Lazuli Bunting chances so appreciate this photo. Good for you to get a response from an expert such as Dr. Brown and not surprised by his input. I doubt that you could find that nest to give him conformation as to its formation, but would be interesting if you can.
Thanks, Everett. Good luck with the birds this morning.
Beautiful Female Lazuli bunting… Have seen a few males over time but never “noticed” a female…. Fence doesn’t detract in my opinion…..
🙂 Glad the young hawks are thriving. Is always the thing that I KNOW not all can make it BUT! 😉 Glad Dan Gleason pointed you, you followed through, and Dr. Brown responded – good to know someone will pay attention……
Thanks, Judy. My tension was palpable yesterday as I approached that nest. I was so relieved by what I found.