![\"\"](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/western-meadowlark-4655b-ron-dudley.jpg\" "\\"western-meadowlark-4655b-ron-dudley\\"")
<\/p>\nYet another sign of approaching spring.<\/p>\n
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1\/8000, f\/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II,\u00a0Canon EF 500mm f\/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in<\/em><\/p>\n Three days ago I spent the morning on Antelope Island and for the first time this year I noticed a significant increase in bird presence and activity. Magpies were building nests, Chukars were calling from atop their rocky perches, Horned Larks were engaging in flight battles, I saw and photographed my first Sandhill Cranes of the year and Western Meadowlarks were singing on territory. In warmer years many of our meadowlarks are resident in northern Utah year round but very few stuck it out this winter.<\/p>\n This probable male was singing on territory from a perch that has been a favorite of the species for years. He was sticky and allowed me a close approach. In my experience meadowlarks are generally skittish for most of the year but once their hormones begin to flow in the early spring they’re more reluctant to vacate a favorite perch and that’s a good thing for bird photographers.<\/p>\n This bird was likely a male establishing his territory before the females arrive several weeks later. Whatever the case I spent four minutes with him as I enjoyed his distinctive and lusty song.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1\/8000, 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<\/p>\n Not long before he eventually flew off he stretched his right leg and then performed this half-hearted wing stretch.<\/p>\n He’s a chunky fellow, isn’t he. Sometimes I wonder how meadowlarks can even become airborne.<\/p>\n Ron<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Three days ago I spent the morning on Antelope Island and for the first time this year I noticed a significant increase in bird presence and activity. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/western-meadowlark-4750-ron-dudley.jpg\" "\\"western-meadowlark-4750-ron-dudley\\"")
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