Townsend's Solitaire
by Robert Royse
Here's one of my favorite species. Many of them are pretty wary, but once in a while you come across one that is very oblibing for the camera. Their numbers seem to fluctuate a lot as wintering birds in the juniper woodlands in central NM. I didn't find as many this year as in past visits, but this bird made up for that. They feed on the juniper berries and announce their presence with their high whistle call note (that sounds a lot like pygmy-owls). Once I tracked this guy down in some fading evening light he was a willing poser.
Canon 1D2
600+2x
ISO 500
1/250, f10
fill flash at -1 2/3
Comments
21 commentswhat everyone else said.
I like the depth.
- Paul
Isn't interesting how a "plain" gray bird can be so beautiful? I just love these guys and only wish I had a shot like this. You really did it!
Dick Cronberg
Oregon