In eleven years of blogging about birds I’ve only posted photos of a Rock Wren a single time and for very good reason – in their typically rugged habitat they simply refuse to allow a close approach. But two days ago I got one of the aggravating little rascals in my viewfinder.
Decades ago Professor J. Janovy made the following observation about Rock Wrens, which likely explains why they’ve been such an incredibly difficult photo subject for me:
- “Salpinctes obsoletus is a very plain name for a bundle of fire known as the rock wren. It is heard, up on the bluffs, up in the rocks, but it is seen only by those who climb the bluffs regularly, and then it is seen only irregularly“.
In my travels through remote areas of several western states it isn’t terribly unusual for me to see Rock Wrens high up on the bluffs or cliffs and I hear them more often than I see them (although some I think I see are probably Canyon Wrens). But they’re always far away in inaccessible areas for this bird photographer with a bad back.
As a result I’ve only had two half-way decent photos of Rock Wrens in my files for years.
1/6400, f/5.6, 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
But day before yesterday, about three minutes after the Peregrine Falcon I posted photos of yesterday took off, I almost miraculously had this Rock Wren in my viewfinder. I was quite surprised to find him on top of a juniper tree instead of on the ground or nearby rocks.
At first he was very quiet up there, probably because he was just a little nervous about my pickup being so close to him.
1/6400, f/5.6, 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
But soon he broke out into almost continuous song, which is why I’m referring to him as a male because only male Rock Wrens are known to sing.
I was struck by the color change that always occurred on his throat whenever he was singing. Normally his throat was dull white with streaks of gray but while he was singing his throat was flashing black as the erected feathers there revealed their much darker interior color.
1/1600, 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 was both delighted and highly frustrated when he eventually flew down to the ground and hopped among the rocks and vegetation down there, often singing as he went.
He was moving forward close to the edge of the dirt road so I had to slowly follow him in my pickup. But he had a very specific distance from my pickup that he considered threatening so he kept moving forward at an angle that I couldn’t photograph him out my window. So I missed getting most of the potentially best photos while he was on the ground.
My pickup mirror was the main reason I missed getting all of those shots. This cell phone photo (taken yesterday at a local pond) shows why my very large, trailer-towing mirror gets in the way of my huge lens when a bird is on the ground at a sharp angle in front of me. It just can’t be done, even with the mirror folded forward and supposedly out of the way like it is here.
I love photographing birds from my pickup for the many reasons I’ve covered in other blog posts but it isn’t foolproof and that damn mirror is one of the reasons why.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Eventually the Rock Wren flew to the top of another juniper and began singing away again, flashing some of the black in his throat as he did so. Both times he took off from junipers I got the takeoff shot but neither of them was any good.
So, cursed mirror or not, I was happy to get the photos I did.
Ron
Very nice to see the wren on a tree! I find them at the Jetty usually.
Yes my mirror and windshield get in the way all the time, I wish my windshield would fold down like the old army jeeps!
Wonderful images of the Rock Wren – amongst my favourites (note the English spelling from this Down Under reporter) of yours.
Thanks, Gary. I always notice the English spelling from my Aussie followers. And given my English family history going WAY back I appreciate it too.
So fluffy!! Love how the wren dons a formal tie when performing!
Creative way to put it, Kathleen. Thanks.
That colour change as he sings is fascinating. And then reading through the comments to learn that their nest building is so precise – and intriguing also blew me away.
I am soooo grateful for the education I find here. The often beautiful education I find here.
Thanks, EC. I’d love to see one of their nests some day but chances aren’t good.
Glad you were able to get such good shots of this elusive fellow! I especially like the last shot as he looks like he’s singing his heart out. I like the angle of the shot, the variations in his coloring, his little tongue peeking out, and the couple of juniper berries providing visual interest in his perch.
Thank you, Marty. I wondered if anyone would mention those juniper berries. They’re kinda hard to see this time of year because they’re the same color as the rest of the tree.
I had not heard of professor Janovy, but I like his elegant description. First and last time I saw one it was hopping around on a log on the shore of a local bay. Somehow I doubt that even most experienced birders are aware of that throat patch.
I don’t think even NASA could solve the rear view mirror problem. Or maybe, for several million dollars.
Lyle, I’ve often, very often, wished there was a way to quickly remove the mirror while I’m out shooting and just as quickly replace it when I’m done. Don’t think I’ll hold my breath for that one…
Rock Wrens are great. If you ever have a chance to see a nest they are an amazing piece of work. They nest in a rocky crevice and far enough back that I have not seen the actual nest but it’s the entrance that’s so impressive. The entrance is lined with small sticks and stones all very neatly laid out like a tiled patio. Unfortunately, I’ve never seen this during actual construction. The few nests I’ve seen have already been completed and the birds were actively coming and going to feed young inside. I needed to keep my distance and not disturb them so I never could see inside.
Dan, I was reading about their unique nests last night. I’d love to see one.
I always count it a lucky day when I encounter a wren here—usually house or Bewick’s, of course—because they are so darned cute and cheerful. So lucky you to catch a Rock Wren happy enough in his habitat to sing his heart out!
He’s quite lovely, and with your images I can hear his song 🎶
Thank you, Chris.
Well, you can no longer say your portfolio has only half-way decent photos of a Rock Wren!
Superb captures, Ron!
No matter where we encounter them, it seems wrens are the most fearless creatures in the bird world for their size!
“it seems wrens are the most fearless creatures in the bird world for their size”
Maybe that’s why Janovy referred to them as “bundles of fire”.
Handsome fella! That throat flash made me grin. Looks like he’s showing off his throat chakra. Lol
Arwen, in some of my photos the color change to black in the throat was even more pronounced but I didn’t like the poses as well.
I’m not sure I’ve seen a rock wren, nor sure I haven’t. Thanks for letting me see them “second hand.” A good trivia question might be, “What do rock wrens and hummingbirds have in common?” I was certainly unaware of the throat coloration change for singing male rock wrens.
Nancy, before this bird I was unaware of it too. I’d never been this close to a singing Rock Wren.
So nice to see these photos! Glad you were able to get these. Interesting reading your comments about him. What a delightful little bird… I always look forward to any encounter with a wren…which most times is a house wren or the marsh wren. Only occasionally a sedge or winter wren. I never knew about this species of wren. I have cursed that d*** mirror so many times when I have been out…to bad there in not a down button for them. 🙂
Kathy, I liken that mirror to the sprinkler system in my yard – can’t live with them OR without them.
Very nice photos. I have taken photos of Rock Wrens here – almost always on our granite rocks. Not familiar with the designation West Desert so not sure if our Rock Wrens are the same? Sibley’s just lists as Rock Wrens. Seeing one on a juniper like that makes for a much more interesting photo than the ones on the rocks. Interesting post.
Everett, there isn’t a type of wren called the West Desert Rock Wren. My title was just meant to imply that I photographed the wren in the west desert. Admittedly, that was confusing on my part.
Cute little devil! 🙂 It IS interesting the way the throat color changes when he’s singing – must have a purpose…….. 😉 Yeh, those mirrors can bee an issue at times.
Judy, that mirror causes me to cuss more than any other factor when I’m out shooting. Growing up in Montana I learned a lot of cuss words so at least I have that colorful vocabulary to use as a catharsis… 🙂
😂 Yep – me too!