Singing Gray Catbird – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Gray Catbirds have returned to northern Utah for their breeding season and I am thrilled to be hearing their songs and calls again. Two days ago I listened to a catbird singing in the Wasatch Mountains, most of the time the bird was behind branches and leaves so I didn’t take many photos of it when it was hidden from my view.
Listen to the song of a Gray Catbird here.
I photographed warblers, hummingbirds and a mystery flycatcher while I listened to the Gray Catbird singing as it moved in and around the trees and shrubs in front of me and all the while I kept hoping the catbird would pop up into an open area where I could photograph it. I kept an eye on the catbird when I wasn’t focusing on the other birds that came through the area and then I caught a flash of gray in the willows that were close and the catbird popped up onto a branch that was so close to me that I opted to take portraits of the bird instead of removing my teleconverter to take full body images. I was only able to take about two dozen images of the catbird before a vehicle flushed it into hiding from my view again.
I wish the twigs behind the catbird and over its head weren’t there but this is the view I had.
It was wonderful to be serenaded by a Gray Catbird in the mountains and I hope to be able to hear more of them soon but it won’t be today because of the weather.
Weather Map – May 27, 2019
I know we always need moisture here in the desert but honestly, the gray days and rain are getting old.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Gray Catbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
A mystery flycatcher? Now that is something I don’t think I have ever seen you say before.
Love the subtle charm of the catbird. Thank you.
EC, I only had a view of the flycatcher’s head through branches & leaves and it was silent so I couldn’t ID it. I know that Dusky, Hammond’s and Willow Flycatchers are found in that canyon so I wouldn’t even try to guess with the little I saw and what I didn’t hear.
There is a bush beside one of the trails I walk that emits all these mutterings and an occasional mewl-always know it is the catbird. Nice capture of the bird here and I am imprsed with the age they can get to.
Yes, I can usually tell it is a catbird when I hear it about 99% of the time, I allow 1% in case a Northern Mockingbird were to show up and be mimicking the call of a catbird. Thanks!
Beautiful shot, Mia! Your weather map was like ours yesterday! Gorgeous day today!!
Thanks Dick. Unfortunately the forecast for tomorrow here is pretty dismal. I wish we’d get more sunshine!
I got almost the same photo this morning except that my twig had leaves on it. They are elusive.
They certainly can be illusive Liz!