{"id":1384,"date":"2011-02-17T16:54:58","date_gmt":"2011-02-17T23:54:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/featheredphotography.wordpress.com\/?p=1384"},"modified":"2011-05-29T16:26:18","modified_gmt":"2011-05-29T22:26:18","slug":"horned-larks-blowin-in-the-wind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/2011\/02\/17\/horned-larks-blowin-in-the-wind\/","title":{"rendered":"Horned Larks Blowin’ in the Wind"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0I have particularly fond memories of Horned Larks from growing up on our northwestern Montana family farm near Cut Bank, Montana.\u00a0 The fallow barley fields and adjacent short grass prairies abounded with them.\u00a0 But since I began photographing birds I’ve had very few opportunities with them here in Utah –\u00a0until last week when\u00a0had a grand time with multiple cooperative larks in the\u00a0foothills of the Stansbury Mountains.\u00a0\u00a0 And yes, the wind was blowing briskly – a perfect situation to remind me of those Montana larks!\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Singing<\/p>\n

Singing in the wind<\/em><\/p>\n

The \u00a0wind seemed to inspire the males to sing as they all seemed to be singing up a storm on this day,\u00a0despite the early February date.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Blown<\/p>\n

Blown off the perch<\/em><\/p>\n

While it may look like this male is taking flight, in reality it was being blown off the perch by a sudden gust of wind.\u00a0 If it had been taking off, both wings would be extended.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"Wind-disheviled<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0Wind-\u00a0disheveled \u00a0feathers<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

In this photo, the\u00a0wind updraft from the rock perch blew a perfect semicircle of his upper chest feathers into his black\u00a0neck ring, making him look pretty silly.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Very<\/p>\n

Very obvious “horns”<\/p>\n

This photo shows the “horns” (occipital feather tufts) that are\u00a0characteristic of the species.\u00a0 The horns are found on both sexes but they are much less obvious in the female and rarely erected.\u00a0 This frontal view of the head shows the horns most distinctly when they are raised.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Horns<\/p>\n

Horns laying almost flat<\/em><\/p>\n

At times the horns are laid flat against the head and are almost unnoticeable.\u00a0 Here they are in an intermediate position.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"Female<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0Female Horned Lark<\/p>\n

This is the female.\u00a0 The horns are not as prominent as those of the male and are rarely erected.\u00a0 Also note that the females colors are less vivid\u00a0with a smaller cheek patch and breast band.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"Sentinel<\/a><\/p>\n

Sentinel on a rock<\/em><\/p>\n

I’ve made an anecdotal observation about Horned Larks that seems slightly unusual, but fortunate for me as a bird photographer.\u00a0 In my experience, most ground birds will scurry away for cover on the ground, or fly off,\u00a0when they feel threatened or approached.\u00a0 These larks seem to go about their seed gathering business on the ground until I get too close (always in my pickup truck) but when I’ve pushed a little too far they always seem to look for a rock, very low bush or dirt clump to perch on and observe me.\u00a0 Then they will fly off I’m too close.\u00a0 But what a nice arrangement for the photographer – that the bird seeks out a slightly elevated perch as you approach!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"Male<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0Male singing on a dirt clump<\/em><\/p>\n

One more male singing.\u00a0 They have a very pleasant song, soft and sweet.\u00a0 I can hear it now, along with the wind…<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ron<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0I have particularly fond memories of Horned Larks from growing up on our northwestern Montana family farm near Cut Bank, Montana.\u00a0 The fallow barley fields and adjacent short grass prairies abounded with them.\u00a0 But since I began photographing birds I’ve had very few opportunities with them here in Utah –\u00a0until last week when\u00a0had a grand time with multiple cooperative larks in the\u00a0foothills of the Stansbury Mountains.\u00a0\u00a0 And yes, the wind was blowing briskly – a perfect situation to remind me of those Montana larks!\u00a0 \u00a0 Singing in the wind The \u00a0wind seemed to inspire the males to sing as they all seemed to be singing up a storm on this day,\u00a0despite the early February date.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Blown off the perch While it may look like this male is taking flight, in reality it was being blown off the perch by a sudden gust of wind.\u00a0 If it had been taking off, both wings would be extended.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Wind-\u00a0disheveled \u00a0feathers\u00a0 In this photo, the\u00a0wind updraft from the rock perch blew a perfect semicircle of his upper chest feathers into his black\u00a0neck ring, making him look pretty silly.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Very obvious “horns” This photo shows the “horns” (occipital feather tufts) that are\u00a0characteristic of the species.\u00a0 The horns are found on both sexes but they are much less obvious in the female and rarely erected.\u00a0 This frontal view of the head shows the horns most distinctly when they are raised. \u00a0 \u00a0 Horns laying almost flat At times the horns are laid flat against the…<\/p>\n

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