{"id":162719,"date":"2025-11-05T03:34:51","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T09:34:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/?p=162719"},"modified":"2026-03-14T06:53:50","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T11:53:50","slug":"close-northern-mockingbird-at-sequoyah-national-wildlife-refuge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2025\/11\/05\/close-northern-mockingbird-at-sequoyah-national-wildlife-refuge\/","title":{"rendered":"Close Northern Mockingbird at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"CloseClose up Northern Mockingbird at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge \u2013 Canon R7, handheld, f11, 1\/640, ISO 640, Canon RF 800mm, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

While I was at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge earlier this week, I had a close-up opportunity to photograph an adult Northern Mockingbird from the road.<\/p>\n

I wasn’t about to pass up the chance to get portraits of the mockingbird at the refuge. I was parked, the bird was in nice light, and the setting was appealing to me.<\/p>\n

I’ve always enjoyed listening to Northern Mockingbirds sing, even in the middle of the night. I’m sure their night songs bother some people, but I’m not one of those people.<\/p>\n

I love hearing them sing at night just as much as I enjoy hearing Great Horned and Barred Owls calling in the velvety darkness.<\/p>\n

\"NorthernNorthern Mockingbird portrait at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge \u2013 Canon R7, handheld, f11, 1\/640, ISO 640, Canon RF 800mm, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

This Northern Mockingbird<\/span><\/a> didn\u2019t sing for me; it seemed more interested in preening their feathers and looking for food.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t see many mockingbirds at the refuge, and usually when I do, they aren\u2019t as cooperative as this bird was. The mockingbird was so close my only choice was to take close up portraits of them.<\/p>\n

Not that I am complaining, I adore close up, intimate photos like these whenever my subjects allow it. It would be foolish to pass up opportunities like this when they are presented, and I’m not.<\/p>\n

Moments like these, when a bird allows me close enough for intimate photos, don\u2019t happen every day. I try to savor each one, appreciate the chance to observe behavior up close, and capture images that show the personality of my subject. It\u2019s part of what makes being out in the field so rewarding.<\/p>\n

Life is<\/em> good.<\/p>\n

Mia<\/p>\n

Click here<\/span><\/a> to see more of my Northern Mockingbird photos plus facts and information about this species.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While I was at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge earlier this week, I had a close-up opportunity to photograph an adult Northern Mockingbird from the road.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":162714,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27,818,13973,13974],"tags":[4004,970,14190,13984,4142,4620,6583,821,820,6814,5719,4192,4046,11722],"class_list":["post-162719","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-avian","category-northern-mockingbird","category-oklahoma","category-sequoyah-national-wildlife-refuge","tag-adult","tag-autumn","tag-bottomland-hardwood-forest","tag-bottomlands","tag-close-up","tag-fall","tag-leaves","tag-mimids-2","tag-mimus-polyglottos","tag-mockingbird","tag-mockingbirds","tag-northern-mockingbird","tag-portrait","tag-vine"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/northern-mockingbird-sequoyah-mia-mcpherson-9867.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p11Mom-Gkv","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":134944,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2024\/09\/24\/hatch-year-northern-mockingbird-in-fall\/","url_meta":{"origin":162719,"position":0},"title":"Hatch Year Northern Mockingbird In Fall","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"September 24, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"When this hatch year Northern Mockingbird flew into the birdbath two days ago, I was ready to photograph her or him as soon as they landed on it.","rel":"","context":"In "Birds"","block_context":{"text":"Birds","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/avian\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Hatch year Northern Mockingbird at a birdbath, Sebastian County, Arkansas","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/northern-mockingbird-hatch-year-mia-mcpherson-3772.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/northern-mockingbird-hatch-year-mia-mcpherson-3772.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/northern-mockingbird-hatch-year-mia-mcpherson-3772.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/northern-mockingbird-hatch-year-mia-mcpherson-3772.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":127718,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2024\/04\/20\/spring-northern-mockingbird-photos-from-arkansas\/","url_meta":{"origin":162719,"position":1},"title":"Spring Northern Mockingbird Photos From Arkansas","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"April 20, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"At my friend Steve Creek's home, I listen to a Northern Mockingbird sing around the clock. The mockingbird sings practically all the time, day and night.","rel":"","context":"In "Arkansas"","block_context":{"text":"Arkansas","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/arkansas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Northern Mockingbird at a birdbath, Sebastian County, Arkansas","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/northern-mockingbird-arkansas-spring-mia-mcpherson-5469.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/northern-mockingbird-arkansas-spring-mia-mcpherson-5469.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/northern-mockingbird-arkansas-spring-mia-mcpherson-5469.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/northern-mockingbird-arkansas-spring-mia-mcpherson-5469.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":131286,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2024\/07\/27\/photographing-a-young-northern-mockingbird\/","url_meta":{"origin":162719,"position":2},"title":"Photographing A Young Northern Mockingbird","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"July 27, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"I was delighted yesterday when I had the chance to photograph a young Northern Mockingbird that landed in a nearby oak tree. Naturally, I took photos.","rel":"","context":"In "Arkansas"","block_context":{"text":"Arkansas","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/arkansas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Young Northern Mockingbird in Arkansas, Sebastian County","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/northern-mockingbird-immature-arkansas-mia-mcpherson-6421.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/northern-mockingbird-immature-arkansas-mia-mcpherson-6421.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/northern-mockingbird-immature-arkansas-mia-mcpherson-6421.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/northern-mockingbird-immature-arkansas-mia-mcpherson-6421.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":137188,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2024\/12\/01\/northern-mockingbird-on-suet-feeder-plus-a-video\/","url_meta":{"origin":162719,"position":3},"title":"Northern Mockingbird On Suet Feeder Plus A Video","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"December 1, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Today, I'm sharing a simple Northern Mockingbird photo along with a video I took last month in Arkansas. I'm glad these birds are year-round residents here.","rel":"","context":"In "Arkansas"","block_context":{"text":"Arkansas","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/arkansas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Northern Mockingbird perched on a driftwood suet feeder, Sebastian County, Arkansas","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/northern-mockingbird-november-mia-mcpherson-8383.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/northern-mockingbird-november-mia-mcpherson-8383.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/northern-mockingbird-november-mia-mcpherson-8383.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/northern-mockingbird-november-mia-mcpherson-8383.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":128384,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2024\/05\/18\/soaking-wet-northern-mockingbird\/","url_meta":{"origin":162719,"position":4},"title":"Soaking Wet Northern Mockingbird","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"May 18, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Wet Northern Mockingbird. Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these birds from singing or coming to feed at my friend Steve Creek's feeders.","rel":"","context":"In "Arkansas"","block_context":{"text":"Arkansas","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/arkansas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Wet Northern Mockingbird in Arkansas, Sebastian County, Arkansas","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/northern-mockingbird-adult-wet-mia-mcpherson-8647.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/northern-mockingbird-adult-wet-mia-mcpherson-8647.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/northern-mockingbird-adult-wet-mia-mcpherson-8647.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/northern-mockingbird-adult-wet-mia-mcpherson-8647.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":131007,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2024\/07\/22\/northern-cottonmouth-close-ups\/","url_meta":{"origin":162719,"position":5},"title":"Northern Cottonmouth Close Ups","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"July 22, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"I was excited to see and photograph a Northern Cottonmouth on a gravel road at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge last week. The snake was very cooperative.","rel":"","context":"In "Northern Cottonmouths (Water Moccasins)"","block_context":{"text":"Northern Cottonmouths (Water Moccasins)","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/wildlife\/northern-cottonmouths-water-moccasins\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Northern Cottonmouth and a small spider, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/northern-cottonmouth-sequoyah-mia-mcpherson-4225.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/northern-cottonmouth-sequoyah-mia-mcpherson-4225.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/northern-cottonmouth-sequoyah-mia-mcpherson-4225.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/northern-cottonmouth-sequoyah-mia-mcpherson-4225.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/162719","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=162719"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/162719\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/162714"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=162719"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=162719"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=162719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}