![\"western](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/western-meadowlark-9857-ron-dudley.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWestern Meadowlarks are now singing by the gazillion from their elevated perches on Antelope Island so I’m getting some opportunities\u00a0for take-off shots.<\/p>\n
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\u00a01\/3200, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon<\/em> EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in<\/strong><\/p>\n Two days ago this singing meadowlark was partially hidden by twigs so I set up for launch and rolled the dice.\u00a0 Lots of things have to go right for pleasing take-off shots, including the following:<\/p>\n Add to that intimidating list (for the photographer)\u00a0the fact that take-off is\u00a0usually so fast that\u00a0the bird has very often already partially or completely\u00a0left the frame before the\u00a0shutter clicks.\u00a0 Fast reflexes\u00a0(and luck)\u00a0play a big part in\u00a0any success one may have.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a01\/3200, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon<\/em> EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in<\/strong><\/p>\n This time I quite liked the results of the first image after launch.\u00a0It ticked off all of the qualifiers on the previous list plus I got an interesting look at those\u00a0long, curled toes and claws trailing behind the\u00a0right wing.\u00a0 The tips of two flight feathers on the right wing are obscured by the rabbitbrush\u00a0but\u00a0for me that’s a very minor imperfection.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a01\/3200, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon<\/em> EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, canvas added for composition, not baited, set up or called in<\/strong><\/p>\n I even enjoyed this final image in the sequence because of how the bird’s posture implies building flight speed.<\/p>\n It’s a little easier to get pleasing take-off shots of meadowlarks than it is with most other passerines because their stocky build and relatively large mass means actual lift-off is\u00a0somewhat slower than it is in most smaller songbirds. I believe the following image (taken 3 days ago) helps to illustrate my point.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a01\/2500, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon<\/em> EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in<\/strong><\/p>\n Most sparrow-sized songbirds are so light that one flap of the wings makes them airborne, often without much or any extra push from their legs.\u00a0 But meadowlarks are heavy enough that they usually need all\u00a0of the thrust from their legs they can get to overcome inertia and gain flight efficiently.<\/p>\n This meadowlark took off a millisecond after the shutter snapped. I enjoy the image because the foot, leg and body posture implies just how much leg-thrust is about to be contributed to the launch.\u00a0The bird reminds me of a track sprint runner at the starter blocks.<\/p>\n Ron<\/p>\n PS – If you’re planning on visiting Antelope Island today to photograph birds you’re going to need even more luck than usual.\u00a0 The annual Buffalo Run<\/a>\u00a0(and yes, the bison in the banner photo in this link has actually pinned a person against the fence\u00a0during a previous Buffalo Run)\u00a0is scheduled for today so the island will be\u00a0clogged with traffic and runners and I suspect that most of the birds and other wildlife will be hunkered down and avoiding accessible areas of the island. <\/em><\/p>\n\n
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