Johnny Jump-up

Gallery: AvianPosted February 14, 2012190 views9 comments

Something of a busy foreground in this one, but it conveys this particular form of behavior well.

The blue-black grassquit (also known as a blue-black seedeater) has earned the nickname "Johnny Jump-up" due to the male's behavior during courtship. He'll perch on various vegetation and leap into the air repeatedly, mixing in an occasional call.

In this case I spied a male on a misty day in northern Peru. I was descending a trail next to a fenced-off piece of farmland, when I noticed the little black shape bobbing up and down in the neighboring field. Managed to get a few distant shots as he leaped up between stalks of grass.

Canon 7D
Canon 500mm f/4 IS
ISO 800
1/2000th
f/4

Max

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on February 14, 2012 at 11:08 PM

Cool behavioral shot, Max. I like how well the subject stands out from the green background. It looks like the conditions were a little challenging, but I think this works well.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on February 15, 2012 at 10:14 AM

Very nice small bird flight shot with a nice clean BG. IMO the foreground plants are not distracting. Very nicely executed.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 15, 2012 at 7:51 PM

Nice, Max. The foreground plants don't bother me. There is something about the pose that wouldn't have led me to think of the behavior you describe without your verbal description-almost looks like he's diving on something. Great behavior. Did you get a burst as he jumped? It would make a great series.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on February 15, 2012 at 8:29 PM

Great shot of this behavior. I have tried to capture this in the zoos rainforest exhibit but have never been sucessful. I like your having its head is focus. Thanks for sharing, shows it can be done!

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on February 15, 2012 at 8:50 PM

Dennis, I was way too slow for that. Everything I've got is of him on the way down. My reflexes aren't quite dead yet, so it gives you a sense of how quick and unexpected the timing of the jump was. "Tweet!Tweet!Tweet!BOUNCE!Tweet!Tweet!"

I had really hoped to get some video, but it took off before I switched over.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 16, 2012 at 12:30 AM

Cool behavior, thanks for the description to go with this action photo. Nice Work Max!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 16, 2012 at 11:36 AM

Interesting story and a very nice behavior shot, good job in getting this difficult shot.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 17, 2012 at 8:52 PM

A very cool display shot, well executed Max

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 19, 2012 at 4:23 PM

Interesting bird and behaviour well captured. I like the inclusion of habitat.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments