An immature Sage Thrasher fluttering on a branch – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The Sage Thrashers on Antelope Island State Park are busy getting ready for migration and the thrashers hatched this year appear to be almost ready to go. They have matured enough that in the field I have to look for two things to determine whether they are adults or young which is the color of the eyes and whether the gape still shows some lightness at the base.
An immature Sage Thrasher fluttering its wings on a branch – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This young Sage Thrasher was reacting to an adult thrasher perched at the top of the branch yesterday. If I had been in FX mode (full frame) I would have been able to show the behavior of both birds. I’m kicking myself because I didn’t switch sooner.
An immature Sage Thrasher perched on a branch – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I know that before long these Sage Thrasher are leaving to head to their wintering grounds and I am grateful for all the time I spent with them this year photographing and observing them from the start of their breeding season until the end.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Sage Thrasher photos plus facts and information about this species.
Such an alert (and intent) charmer. Thank you.
your pictures are alright,. not bad. pretty good really..you might be on to somethin’ 😉
I like this series especially for the intensity of focus the young bird shows…thanks to your comments, my imagination can supply the older bird the baby is so intent on. So I guess their eye color lightens as they age. The change in birds’ eye color is something I find interesting. Seems to happen in so many species…can’t help but wonder how and why….