Tag: territorial dispute
A Great Egret, A Great Blue Heron And A Serious Territorial Dispute
Western Meadowlark Territorial Display
I finally know the purpose behind this Western Meadowlark behavior. Typically I observe it several times each breeding season but until yesterday I never fully understood its significance.
Western Meadowlarks In Snow
Yesterday was a glorious day on the island with about 6″ of fresh snow and wonderful light. It was simply delightful. The Western Meadowlarks seemed to be a little “stickier” than usual, perhaps because of all the snow. 1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light This one was half buried in the snow but I liked all the convolutions in the snowy setting. 1/3200, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light This meadowlark was the most cooperative bird of the morning as it posed for me for over 6 minutes on top of some rabbitbrush. 1/2500, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light It never did turn around to show that bright yellow breast but it did give me some nice head turns to make up for it. 1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light Meadowlarks are well-known for a behavior called “tail flashing”, something they often do during territorial disputes. During tail flashing the tail is nervously (and very quickly) snapped open and closed, better revealing the white outer tail feathers. The bird was cooperating so well that I made it my goal to try to catch the tail spread to show those white feathers, which turned out to be much easier said than done. It happens so quickly that you just have to fire a burst and hope for the best. I took 208 shots of this bird (at least half of them were attempts to get the open tail) and only got…
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A Great Egret, A Great Blue Heron And A Serious Territorial Dispute
Western Meadowlark Territorial Display
I finally know the purpose behind this Western Meadowlark behavior. Typically I observe it several times each breeding season but until yesterday I never fully understood its significance.
Western Meadowlarks In Snow
Yesterday was a glorious day on the island with about 6″ of fresh snow and wonderful light. It was simply delightful. The Western Meadowlarks seemed to be a little “stickier” than usual, perhaps because of all the snow. 1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light This one was half buried in the snow but I liked all the convolutions in the snowy setting. 1/3200, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light This meadowlark was the most cooperative bird of the morning as it posed for me for over 6 minutes on top of some rabbitbrush. 1/2500, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light It never did turn around to show that bright yellow breast but it did give me some nice head turns to make up for it. 1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light Meadowlarks are well-known for a behavior called “tail flashing”, something they often do during territorial disputes. During tail flashing the tail is nervously (and very quickly) snapped open and closed, better revealing the white outer tail feathers. The bird was cooperating so well that I made it my goal to try to catch the tail spread to show those white feathers, which turned out to be much easier said than done. It happens so quickly that you just have to fire a burst and hope for the best. I took 208 shots of this bird (at least half of them were attempts to get the open tail) and only got…