The last time I was in the Wasatch Mountains, I heard the calls of waxwings. I didn’t get many photos, but I thought I would share this Cedar Waxwing from one year ago today.
Adult Cedar Waxwing perched among hawthorn berries – Nikon D500, f9, 1/1250, ISO 500, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I drove up into the high country of the Wasatch Mountains that day, and found deer, chipmunks, butterflies, and waxwings in my viewfinder along with some late summer wildflowers.
This Cedar Waxwing was taking a break from eating the hawthorn berries and looking at the other waxwings that were flying by when I took its photo.
I am enamored by these silky waxwings. Their feathers look as soft as the melodic calls they make. Some people, especially men, can’t hear the calls of these waxwings. I do, I usually hear them before I see them. The calls of these waxwings tell me exactly where to find them.
When I see Cedar Waxwings, I think of my maternal grandmother and the time we were mesmerized by a large flock of them in my backyard in Georgia. They remind me of the times I taught my sons about waxwings when they were growing up. Additionally, it brings to mind the first time I was able to capture a photo of this species that made my heart skip a beat. Maybe two or three beats.
Even though I only took a few images of the Cedar Waxwings on my most recent trip into the mountains, I was thoroughly delighted by their calls and by seeing them on the wing. Some were perched way up at the top of old cottonwoods near the creek, and a few were hawking insects from the air.
I could watch Cedar Waxwings for a very long time. Sometimes, I even forget to take photos of them because I become so immersed in their beauty.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Cedar Waxwing photos plus facts and information about this species.
Great pic of a elegant bird and one of my absolute faves. I didn’t know anything about Cedar Waxwings until I started following your posts a millennia or two ago. (Seems like that, doesn’t it?) Thanks Mia.
BTW…Happy Labor Day.
Echoing Marty (again). I do love this shot and their call (though I couldn’t get the video to play for me on your link and had to do some searching on my own). And how interesting to learn that they are as soft and silky as they look. Thanks April.
Love this shot — the lighting, the composition, the bokeh, the perch, and especially the gorgeous subject! Cedar Waxwings always seem airbrushed to me. Interesting to know (thank you, April!) that their feathers are as soft as they appear to be. I hope you get some more opportunities with them soon!
It is a wonderful photo. With all the berries this year I hope to see some waxwings in the bushes on one of my trips.
Yes their feathers are very soft, in a silky soft way. If I ever have more to release (you know the situation with our rehab loosing it’s building and trying to set up again) you should come with me and release them, I usually just open the cage door but sometimes one or two won’t leave, I have to help them out. I don’t want to wait too long for the remaining birds to leave the cage on there own or the others to will fly to far away , the birds like to keep together. I can let you touch one while helping with the hesitant bird’s release.
Love this shot!-Jeri