Male Dickcissel on a windy morning at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaMale Dickcissel on a windy morning at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge – Canon R7, beanbag, f8, 1/640, ISO 400, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

Despite the wind at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge yesterday, I had great fun photographing a singing male Dickcissel perched on a cottonwood sapling.

Singing Dickcissel on a cottonwood sapling, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaSinging Dickcissel on a cottonwood sapling – Canon R7, beanbag, f8, 1/640, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

There were times that I had a difficult time focusing on the bird because the wind kept bouncing him and his leafy perch around.

Dickcissel male singing on a windy spring morning, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaDickcissel male singing on a windy spring morning – Canon R7, beanbag, f10, 1/640, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

But I was determined to take more photos of the singing Dickcissel. I enjoyed the green colors in the background.

Perky male Dicksissel at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaPerky male Dicksissel at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge – Canon R7, beanbag, f10, 1/800, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

And the beauty of the Dickcissel in the morning light at the refuge. This bird was not shy or skittish.

Spring male Dickcissel in Oklahoma, Sequoyah National Wildlife RefugeSpring male Dickcissel in Oklahoma – Canon R7, beanbag, f10, 1/800, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

He was very cooperative. Dickcissels have recently returned to their breeding grounds which includes the bottomlands and fields at refuge.

Handsome male Dickcissel singing in spring, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaHandsome male Dickcissel singing in spring – Canon R7, beanbag, f10, 1/800, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

Dickcissels were practically everywhere at the refuge yesterday, avoiding only the wettest areas of the sloughs.

Adult male Dickcissel back view, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaAdult male Dickcissel back view – Canon R7, beanbag, f10, 1/640, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

The male Dickcissels were singing from the tops of their favorite perches while the females were looking for great nesting areas or suitable nesting materials.

I didn’t see a female in the area where this male was singing, but I’d bet that there was a female near him I couldn’t see.

Watch on YouTube.

I took the video above to show how much the wind was bouncing the male Dickcissel around. The wind may have slowed down his singing, but it didn’t stop him. There is another shorter video of this same male here.

I saw and photographed more Dickcissels yesterday; for now, these seven photos were the images I picked to share today.

Life is good.

Mia

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