A copycat meadowlark.
In a recent post I described the following happening with a Red-tailed Hawk I was attempting to photograph:
“I got him in my viewfinder but before I could lock focus on him, he took off… This (flight shot) is the first shot I got of him.”
Well, the very same thing happened two days ago with a Western Meadowlark on Antelope Island. At this rate it’s on its way to becoming the norm.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I got quite a few photos of the meadowlark from this shooting position but most of the time ‘he’ was facing me and at this point I was after takeoff shots. I knew that I had a much better chance of getting takeoff and flight shots I like if I drove further forward, which would put him broadside to me. The light angle would also be better from there and I’d be a little closer to the bird.
If he didn’t take off while I was still driving forward.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
He didn’t, not quite.
I reached my desired shooting position, stopped my pickup and got him in my viewfinder, but he took off before I could lock focus on him – just like what the Red-tailed hawk did. This is the first shot I got of him from my new shooting position, so I didn’t get any more photos of him while he was perched.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I got one more flight shot before he left the frame, although I did have to add canvas on the left to achieve a composition I like.
I guess I shouldn’t complain. I almost certainly like these two photos better than I would any flight shots I’d have been able to get from my original shooting position. So my strategy worked perfectly, if just barely.
But I am a little blown away by the timing. It only takes my camera a small fraction of a second to lock focus on my subject after I get it in my viewfinder, so this kind of thing doesn’t happen very often. To have it happen two days in a row is unusual.
Much ado about nothing I suppose, but I did sit up and take notice.
Ron
Love these meadow larks and their beautiful yellow breast. Had lots of them in Bountiful and I’m sure they added to the choir in the oak. As always – Super shots.
Thanks, Judy. Since these photos were taken on Antelope Island, it’s not that far from Bountiful, at least as the meadowlark flies.
I think the Red Tail and Meadowlark are in cahoots! Either that or Ol’ Murph is reluctantly giving you just a little break after the double-whammy with your Ford.
Marty, it isn’t in Murph’s nature to give me a break. That old SOB doesn’t have it in him. I think he just screwed up somehow.
Maybe he’s turning over a new leaf — or going after someone else (I’ll let you know how my washer and dryer fare now that I’m done with all the foster puppy laundry
).
The feet are amazing! Everett’s analogy is perfect!
For a songbird, meadowlarks have very large legs and feet.
Wonderful captures, they make me long to hear his song! Really like the curled-up toes in the last shot.
Thanks, Chris. This time of year their song is ubiquitous on the island.
Everett said it best.
Birds have it one better than aircraft. They can as easily store and deploy their wings as their landing gear.
Yup, Everett often says it best. Or at least very well.
I think that in early spring, all of the critters as well as the trees have
rising- sap, wheels-up, energy and speed…..the big open fields
behind my place have been ringing with meadowlark song for each of the last week’s sunrises…..joyous !
Good for you, Kris. And for your meadowlarks.
Wonderful captures.. Thank you.
Thanks, EC. Glad you like them.
I like that 2nd take off shot – look at how he pulls up his
feet just like a plane pulling up its wheels during takeoff.
Thank you, Everett. Interesting analogy.
These are 3 beautiful photographs! Can’t say which one I like best.
Thank you, Joanne.
Nice! Not feeling like a portrait session I guess and “something” spooking both it and the hawk – or just “busy” with spring in the air…..
Good thing your camera locks on so fast or both sessions would have been a bust…….. Killdeer and Red winged blackbirds starting to show up here
Thanks, Judy.
This spring, about a dozen Red-winged Blackbirds have been mobbing my feeder several times every day. A little over a week ago, my old friend the leucistic male red-wing even showed up. I believe that’s four years in a row for him. He’s shyer than the other blackbirds so I don’t have any new photos of him. Yet.