I went up into the Wasatch Mountains to look for and to photograph birds yesterday despite the thick, smoky haze from the wildfires here in the Western U.S., that haze is going to hang around for the foreseeable future and I still want to be able to get out to photograph birds even if it causes me to have headaches and messed up sinuses. I could see the smoky haze in most of the canyon and when I got home I could also see the effect of the smoke in some of my photos. I did find quite a few different birds to photograph and I also found one young bull Moose.

Immature American Robin reaching for a berry, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahImmature American Robin reaching for a berry – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/250, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

While photographing some waxwings a flash of movement caught my eye and I spotted an immature American Robin reaching for a berry in a Utah Serviceberry shrub, I couldn’t help myself, I had to photograph this young bird too. In this frame I like how the young robin is about to pluck the serviceberry berry from the shrub, the bit of motion blur of the wing of the robin and the other berries in front of the robin’s chest. The young robin did eat that berry but unfortunately when it did its face was hidden behind the leaf that is seen on the neck of the bird in this photo.

I can see the effects of the smoky haze in the background of this photo.

Immature American Robin perched on a serviceberry shrub, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahImmature American Robin perched on a Serviceberry shrub – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/250, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I can also see the effect of the smoky haze in this image of the immature American Robin perched on another part of the serviceberry shrub. I don’t mind the effect so much but it is there. I’m glad though that it didn’t seem to affect the coloration of the robin or the lovely speckled chest these immature robins have.

Immature American Robin resting in an aspen tree, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahImmature American Robin resting in an aspen tree – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I spotted another immature American Robin resting while tucked into the leaves of a nearby aspen and I also couldn’t resist photographing it. I can see a touch of the effect of the smoky haze on the aspen leaves.

I’m glad I took the time to photograph these immature American Robins, they are as unique and beautiful in my eyes as any other bird, I am passionate about them all. The smoky haze is what it is.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my American Robin photos plus facts and information about this species.