NATURE CLICKS #459 - EASTERN MEADOWLARK

Eastern Meadowlark, Dubuque, Iowa

Finally!!! It took me over ten years to make a photo of an Eastern Meadowlark that is more than just a documentary shot. I have them on utility wires, on fence posts, behind grass stems, and of course some butt shots… A photo of the meadowlark singing in its natural habitat, like a meadow, prairie, or grassy field, was simply still missing until yesterday evening.

Same area at the edge of town as the dickcissel a few days earlier. Normally I would hope for a lesser busy background. But for this image the prairie like flower meadow is perfect and becomes really part of the story.

Nikon D750, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S, @ 600 mm (DX mode 900 mm), 1/800 s, f/6.3, ISO200

NATURE CLICKS #458 - DICKCISSEL

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

OUT WEST #8

Western Meadowlark, Badlands, South Dakota

During our day trips by car we always scan the surrounding areas for birds while driving. This wasn’t really necessary for the Western Meadowlark in Badlands National Park. We found meadowlarks at many places and one of them was Sage Creek Campground, where we had pitched our tent for several nights. Their song woke us up in the morning and it was fun seeing them foraging for food between the short vegetation.

Sage Creek Campground, Badlands NP, South Dakota