Tag Archives: perch

Photographs: Birds, Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Wildlife

Western Meadowlark

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Western Meadowlark
“Western Meadowlark” — A western meadowlark wings while perched in winter bull rushes, Central Valley.

Few birds can brighten a gray, foggy morning as well as the western meadowlark. Its brilliant yellow coloration stands out in the blue-gray foggy landscape. But that’s not all — its song is effusive and cheery. I hear that I’m not the only one who counts it as a favorite.

I encountered this one as I drove very slowly along a rural Central VAlley levee road, looking for landscapes and birds to photograph. At first it was almost hidden in the thick bull rushes, but when I got in just the right position it became clearly visible. A bit to my surprise the bird stuck around and posed for quite some time.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Photographs: Birds, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Wildlife

European Starling

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European Starling
“European Starling” — A European startling perched on tree branches, California Central Valley.

One of the fun things about knowing so little about birds is that I frequently have the opportunity to “discover” the obvious. (Those who know a bit about my travel photography may recognize that pattern from some of my travel stories.) For years I have wished that we had the European starlings that produce the remarkable “murmuration” flock behavior that you may have seen in videos. And now I find that these birds are here. Experienced birders are welcome to laugh at my ignorance — I’m laughing, too!

I came upon this one when I stopped along a Central Valley back road to marvel at and photograph trees full of trim-colored blackbirds. I put on the long lens and began to make pictures, and I soon realized that there were other birds mixed into the group, too. This European starling was close to the blackbirds, but just enough off to the side to indicate its independence. (Note: As a veteran non-birder, I’m totally prepared for someone to tell me I have misidentified it!)

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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Photographs: Birds, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Wildlife

Meadowlark Song #2

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Meadowlark Song #2
“Meadowlark Song #2” — A meadowlark perches on a post and sings a New Year’s Day song.

As I recently posted, I am not a classic “birder.” I’m just a photographer who counts birds among the many subjects that fascinate me. Years ago I was originally drawn to flocks of birds — often consisting of thousands of geese — but over time I’ve become more interested in individuals. The meadowlark is a beautiful bird, not just visually, but also for its exuberant song.

This one posed on a fencepost near me back on a New Year’s Day adventure with the birds. I had been photographing geese and cranes, and was taking a break from that later in the day. I turned my attention to some of the smaller birds hanging out in brush and alongside the roadway I was using. I came slowly up to this meadowlark, hoping to avoid spooking it. It stuck around, posing and singing its song from its perch.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Threads | Post | Email

Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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Photographs: Birds, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Wildlife

European Starling

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European Starling
“European Starling” — A European Starling perched in the brush on a foggy Central Valley day.

You may already know this, but I’m not really the “birder” type. I love photographing birds, and by doing so I’ve learned more about them than I would otherwise know. But I have never had the same passion for identifying them or keeping track of which I’ve seen that characterize the birders I know. I’ve learned to understand their passion, but it is different than mine. Perhaps because I’m not that knowledgable about birds, I often get the joy of “discovering” a bird that turns out to be somewhat ordinary!

When I photographed this bird I wasn’t paying a lot of attention to what it is. I had been photographing red-winged blackbirds in these plants. I think I just assumed that it was some variation on that kind of bird. (I probably should be embarrassed to admit this!) But when I looked at the photograph I was fascinated by the color pattern on the feathers. I looked it up and “discovered” that it is a pretty common (though no less attractive) European starling.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Threads | Post | Email

Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.