western meadowlark

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

Sounds of Spring – Western Meadowlark

By Mia McPherson, on March 13th, 2013%

Western Meadowlark – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light

Normally we have Western Meadowlarks year round here in the Salt Lake Valley but because this past winter was harsh it seemed that they moved south for a bit. They are back now and singing their songs of spring.

Western Meadowlark on a wire – Nikon D200, f10, 1/400, ISO 250, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

It won’t be long before their calls are heard throughout the valley calling their mates and nesting will begin. I missed them while they were gone and I am pleased that they are back.

Mia

More Western Meadowlark images

*For the next few days I will be very busy, please feel free to share my posts with your family & friends!

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

Western Meadowlark lift off

By Mia McPherson, on December 18th, 2012%

Western Meadowlark lifting off – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or called in

This Western Meadowlark image was taken last month on Antelope Island State Park. I meant to post it earlier but forgot because I got so busy trying to set up my new computer. Life outside of bird photography does get in the way at times.

If you have ever tried to photograph a Western Meadowlark in flight or lifting off you probably know they are very fast and that it is a challenge because of their speed. I should have bumped my ISO up to get a faster shutter speed when I took this image to freeze the action of the wings but I’ve also grown to appreciate how a touch of blur can add a sense of movement to an image like this. The face, bill and eye are sharp and in my opinion that is what is most critical.

I feel fortunate to have the opportunities to photograph Western Meadowlarks here year round.

Mia

More Western Meadowlark images

A Fluffed Up Western Meadowlark

By Mia McPherson, on November 29th, 2012%

Fluffed up Western Meadowlark – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 800, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

This Western Meadowlark was a cooperative subject yesterday morning and allowed a close enough approach to get some frame filling images.

I’m a bit slow right now replying to your wonderful comments here and commenting on your blogs because I am busy setting up a new computer which is also why my normal copyright isn’t on this image. Getting everything set up right on a new computer is so time consuming!

Mia

More Western Meadowlark images