Emberzine Sparrows & Allies

Flaming Gorge Brewer’s Sparrow

By Mia McPherson, on May 19th, 2013%

Singing Brewer’s Sparrow

Brewer’s Sparrows were abundant at the location where we photographed Ospreys close to the Flaming Gorge Reservoir last week and it seemed like they sang every time they popped up on top of the Sagebrush in the area. The Osprey spent enormous amounts of time preening on top of an ugly power pole close by or off in the distance eating fish on another power pole so I was glad the Brewer’s Sparrows were there for their song and because they make great subjects.

Brewer’s Sparrow on a Sagebrush near the Flaming Gorge Reservoir

The Brewer’s Sparrow in these images snuck up on the ground and it was foraging and singing from inside the sagebrush before it popped up to the top, I like being able to tell a bird is there before I see them because I can anticipate where they might show up. The sparrow was so close I was concerned that it might be too close for my minimum focusing range but I worried needlessly about that though I do wish I had set my aperture for more depth of field.

Alert Brewer’s Sparrow

Brewer’s Sparrows breed in Utah and are fond of arid brushlands and deserts of the High Plains and Great Basin where they ground forage for insects and seeds. The male Brewer’s Sparrow sings continuously in the spring to attract a mate, this sparrow sure did!

Mia

Singing Green-tailed Towhee

By Mia McPherson, on May 8th, 2013%

Singing Green-tailed Towhee

Yesterday I was able to photograph this Green-tailed Towhee as it sang on top of a Juniper in a canyon of the Stansbury Mountains in Tooele County, Utah. So far this is the best image I have been able to create of this species. This was a large crop though and wouldn’t be suitable for printing so my hope is that I’ll be able to approach this species more closely to get some frame filling images of Green-tailed Towhees.

A Lark, or two, or four

By Mia McPherson, on April 5th, 2013%

The merry lark he soars on high, No worldly thought o’ertakes him. He sings aloud to the clear blue sky, And the daylight that awakes him. -Hartley Coleridge

Male Horned Lark displaying

Hartley Coleridge lived in England from 1796 to 1849 and I’m certain he wasn’t writing about the Larks we have in North America but I thought it was a suitable quote for a post on larks. The only native true lark that lives and breeds in North America is the Horned Lark. The male above was photographed in Tooele County, Utah a few days ago as he displayed on top of a rock. I didn’t see a female nearby but perhaps he did.

Female Lark Bunting

Another bird with “lark” in its name is the Lark Bunting which is actually in the sparrow family. I photographed this female (please correct me if I am wrong in case this is a non-breeding male) at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Montana in June of 2011. So far the only opportunity I have had to photograph this species is the day I took this image.

Lark Sparrow

The Lark Sparrow earns its name by singing like a lark and I am expecting their return to Utah any day now. I love that Harlequin pattern on their faces. This Lark Sparrow was photographed last May on Antelope Island State Park.

Western Meadowlark

Western Meadowlarks aren’t larks or sparrows, they are Icterids but they sing like a lark too. This one was photographed yesterday on Antelope Island State Park. Right now they are singing on territory and they don’t seem able to stop them selves from singing even when they are hunting or eating food.

There is a small breeding population of Sky Larks that were introduced near Vancouver that originated from Britain, Sky Larks that are seen elsewhere are likely vagrants from Asia.

Mia

American Tree Sparrow

By Mia McPherson, on February 24th, 2013%

American Tree Sparrow – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or called in

Last month I was able to take images of American Tree Sparrows on two different days in very different conditions in about the same location on Antelope Island State Park. The first day the conditions were deplorable because I had low light, blowing snow and foggy conditions but the second time I had them in my viewfinder I had very nice light, in fact the Tree Sparrows and dried vegetation seemed to glow against the white of the snow and I was able to get a series of images that I found appealing.

American Tree Sparrows winter in Utah but they breed in scrubby thickets in willows and birch in Alaska and northern Canada. Sometimes they are mistaken for the smaller Chipping Sparrow but their slightly larger size, bicolored bill, rusty eye-line and dark central spot on the breast helps to differentiate between the two species.

Mia

600th post – An Antelope Island Snow Day

By Mia McPherson, on December 30th, 2012%

Bison grazing in the snow

I wanted to share a few images taken two days ago when Antelope Island was covered with a fresh snow fall. The entire island looked glorious and the sunlight caused the snow to sparkle much to my delight. The American Bison were pushing their noses into the snow to clear the way to find grass to graze on.

Plump Chukar in the snow

A covey of Chukars were looking for food in under the heavy blanket of snow. Their beautiful colors, red legs and plumage patterns stand out sharply from the pristine snow.

Antelope Island snow

This image was taken just south of the road to the Frary Peak trail head, it can be hard to believe that the Great Salt Lake comes up to where the rusty colored Phragmites are at times, especially during spring melt.

Farmington complex rocks under fresh snow

I’ve had a great deal of fun photographing raptors this year in this area where Farmington complex rocks jut out from the hills. These are the oldest rock formations on the island and are also older than the rocks found at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Ole Scarface hunting in snow

This Coyote has many scars on its face most likely from territorial disputes during mating season. The Coyote looks old and one of its ears is very floppy. It also still has snow on its back which probably fell on it during the night.

Promontory Mountains from Antelope Island

I love that while I am on the island I can turn in all directions and see mountains, it delights me to see them covered in snow and shining brightly in the sun. On a relatively clear day the Great Salt Lake is a delicious dark blue.

Western Meadowlark on snow-covered Sagebrush

This Western Meadowlark perched on a snow-topped Sagebrush was very cooperative and posed for a long time before it flew away. It wasn’t singing but the bird reminded me that before too long they will have a period of time when it seems they simply can not resist singing their little hearts out during breeding season.

View of snow-covered Promontory Point from Egg Island Overlook

Egg Island Overlook is the northern most point on the island and has expansive views of the Great Salt Lake, the Promontory Mountains and the wide open sky.

Juvenile White-crowned Sparrows

Near the marina these juvenile White-crowned Sparrows perched on a snow laden bush with the Great Salt Lake in the background.

I’ve often said that “Some Days are Magic” here on my blog and this day sure felt that way to me. But then, every day in nature fills me with wonder and joy.

Mia