Our little patch of grass around the house is not enough habitat for the Dickcissel. They prefer open grassland or larger weed patches. Luckily I know a place at the edge of town where it is not difficult to find this highly vocal bird. The males sing their heart out at the moment and if they are high enough from the ground, you have your chance for a shot. Well, they have nothing better to do than to eat and attract a mate. The female Dickcissel builds the nest in the grass, incubates the eggs, and even feeds the offspring all alone. Maybe that’s the reason why it is so much more difficult to get them in front of the lens? 😉
I use my car as a blind and can easily move, back and forth, if the birds fly to a different location. In this habitat I’m looking not only for the Dickcissels, but also for Bobolinks and Eastern Meadowlarks. The meadowlarks have been the least cooperative birds so far, but I guess I probably haven’t spent enough time with them… After a couple days of rain it looks like we have some nice, moderate weather coming up in the next few days. Should go back to the grasslands at the edge of town!
Nikon D750, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S, @ 600 mm, 1/1000 s, f/6.3, ISO200, cropped in post