Gray Catbird juvenile perched in a hawthorn – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was extremely pleased to see and photograph my first Gray Catbird juvenile of this breeding season yesterday morning high in the Wasatch Mountains as it came into view on a hawthorn tree. This sighting is the earliest I have seen young Gray Catbirds in the mountains and it could mean that the catbirds are having a successful breeding season.
Before I saw the young catbird an adult had perched in the same hawthorn then I saw some movement to the right of the adult and the juvenile came out into the open. The young catbird wasn’t begging for food from the adult, it just perched quietly on the branch of the hawthorn tree. Although I photographed the adult I never got a full view of its body like I did the juvenile.
Gray Catbirds may not be flashy or colorful but I always enjoy listening to them sing.
Juvenile Gray Catbird up close – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Both the adult and juvenile Gray Catbird moved closer to where I sat using a vehicle as a “mobile blind” and while the adult was partially hidden by all of the willow leaves the juvenile was once again out in the open. I was only able to take five images of the young catbird on this perch and I wish I would have had a bit more time with it so that I could have changed my settings to allow for more depth of field than I had at f7.1 because the tail of the bird is not sharply in focus in this image. I still love this image though.
I hope to have many more opportunities with Gray Catbirds before they migrate this fall.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Gray Catbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Great pics Mia. The detail and colors are particularly rich and vivid. Thanks.
As always, thank you.
There is a certain trail in the river valley where I can hear the rambling sounds and mews coming from a particular bush. It is where the Catbird family hangs out. I like the bit of black on the top of the head, and the bit of rust under the tail. Not having a clue where these areas are that you talk about, I looked it up on a map .It seems to be a large wilderness area south of Salt Lake City and could see where Antelope Island is, also Uinta mountains, then to the southeast Bryce Canyon, Powell Lake, etc. Now I have an idea and what I see in your photos, very beautiful country.
Ahhh, the catbird’s seat. 😉 Great shots, Mia!
Great photos & so lucky to get a Gray Catbird out in the open.