Much like the Great Blue Herons I shared yesterday, the Western Meadowlarks I found at Farmington Bay WMA two days ago were also behaving as if it were spring.
Western Meadowlarks showing courtship behaviors in January – Nikon D500, f8, 1/640, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Instead of the loose winter flocks of meadowlarks I typically see this time of year, the meadowlarks were acting territorial. The meadowlarks were also singing from high perches and there were aerial chases.
The calls and songs of Western Meadowlarks are very appealing to me. Hearing them two days ago on a very spring-like day soothed my jangled nerves.
Most of the Western Meadowlarks I saw at Farmington Bay were not close, but I liked the interactions and behaviors that I was able to show in the images that I took.
When the meadowlark on the left flew in, I noticed the meadowlark on the right squatting down.
I have lots of frame-filling images of this species, but only a few that capture more than one meadowlark in focus, like this photo does.
Western Meadowlark fluttering its wings – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Western Meadowlarks are year round residents in northern Utah but it it still too early for them to nest. We have weeks to go before spring really arrives, no matter how spring-like it has felt the past couple of days.
I enjoyed having the Western Meadowlarks I found at Farmington Bay in my viewfinder two days ago. Watching the meadowlarks was relaxing, but most of all, I simply enjoyed hearing them sing.
It has been such a strange winter, yet the songs of these meadowlarks reminded me that it will soon end, and the cycle of seasons will continue. Nature is amazing.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Western Meadowlark photos plus facts and information about this species.
Double WOW here! The top Meadowlark pic is absolutely spectacular. Your mastery of the viewfinder never ceases to amaze me. Thanks Mia.
WOW! So interesting as always to see birds doing what they do, living their lives.
Nature is indeed amazing. Thank you so much for these beautiful shots.
Beautiful set, Mia!
This was such a delight. Meadowlarks are becoming a species of concern in Vermont because there has been such a reduction in field habitat. We miss their singing! A trip to South Dakota Badlands last summer was the land of meadowlarks — saturated in Western Meadowlark song nearly 24/7 — nice to know they are ever-present at Farmington Bay.