Sunday, July 13, 2008
Singing Florida Grasshopper Sparrow
I have resisted posting one of these on Stills before now -- maybe because they are not really for critiquing and I was not sure there would be a lot of interest -- but I am rather proud of them just because there are no other good photos of these birds that I'm aware of and because of the effort behind them. I'll try to keep it short!
Getting images of this rather plain, little (5-inch) bird wearing lots of jewelry was my spring "project". I've never worked so hard or so long for a photo before. Federally endangered -- fewer than 1,000 birds of this subspecies are left -- all in a relatively small area of central Florida. They are very secretive and "hang out" low in the prairie grasses. The males only perch up to sing their thin, buzzy song in the spring -- (even then, I discovered, they don't perch up very high!)
After months of planning and a number of very discouraging failed attempts, on April 24th the "stars finally aligned" and I got this image (and about 100 others!) of a cooperative male -- one of three in the park that had not managed to find a mate by then. It was a very exciting and rewarding experience.
I should mention it was quite a team effort --I could not have succeeded without the help of researcher Marianne Korosy and her team, the cooperation of the staff at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve, some generous advice from professional bird photographer Alan Murphy, and so much help and encouragement from Stan that he really deserves a credit on the photos.
Permalink / posted by and copyright of Christina : 1:43 AM
Comments:
OK I forgive you for posting a bird on a stick! :-)
It has merit without the story, that adds interest, however it is a superb 'bird on a stick'
You and the team certainly succeeded handsomely. One can certainly feel the energy behind that song. Quite worth all the effort.
Sorry for the lack of posts lately, I've been busier than a little bird (what type is this?) near the end of mating season.
This little character is definitley energetic and having him slightly off center and framed by those grases probably heps in conveying that feeling.
Bird on a stick or not, you've got your background in there.
It is a powerful picture of a bird very clearly alive (unlike many birds on sticks). The poor thing may not know if it is a sparrow or a grasshopper but it clearly knows it is supposed to sing :-)
The bird's "song" is buzzy like the sound of a grasshopper and where they got the name. So although he looks like he's belting out an aria, the sound is not much to the human ear. Some people can't even hear it.
If he hasn't got a mate yet perhaps his technique is not quite up to scratch! The life force really is visible in your portrayal and the way he grips the perch is a little story on its own. Bird and habitat are a colour treat.
How many of the surviving population is tagged?
John -- in the part of the population that lives on Kissimmee Prairie Preserve (which I'm guessing is maybe a third of those left), at this point all the males are banded -- they are easy to lure into mist nets since they are territorial. I believe they also banded all the chicks in nests that they located this season. There are probably a number of unbanded females there but they are seldom seen.
There is another population of these sparrows in a public Wildlife Management Area north of this one I'm told. They are counted yearly but not in an active research study so unbanded. I MIGHT attempt to photograph one of those birds next spring now that I've had some "practice". Will have to see how motivated I am as that time approaches!
A wonderful photograph and from what I understand, a beautiful portrait. So I have to ask, was there some fill in flash? Just the way the breast is illuminated and shadows on either side.
Doug -- no flash, just morning sunlight. Happily, because I had enough stuff to lug around out there.
Thanks for that information Christina. There are clearly a lot of people very actively involved in the conservation of the Grasshopper Sparrow. 'La chasse' being the the most enjoyable bit, I'm sure that you'll head North next spring - whether you will match this is another matter!
Despite being a bird on a stick, there's much to recommend this photographically; for example, the way the angle of the stick stands in opposition to the grasses creates a lot of energy in the composition.
Apart from the photographic merits, the story behind this intrigues me. It sounds like you had fun getting th e photo. I'm reminded of some of Colin's description of his birding set up, which always made me thinking of fishing. The two pursuits seem to share much in common, namely, waiting and preparation. Sounds fun.
John --"La chasse" did end up being enjoyable but didn't seem so much that way until I succeeded. And I only succeeded after I had pretty much given up on the idea that I would. (although I could not have if I hadn't done all of the the first bit!). I'm not as sure I will go for an unbanded bird. I sometimes have a tendency toward "been there, done that" and move on. (something that annoys me about myself).
Matt -- thinking back on it now, some of it was very fun (some wasn't). Stan and I camped in a tent (first timers) so we could be near the sparrow site at dawn before the park opened its gates -- (one of my biggest "trials" was convincing Stan we had to do that!) I thought camping was great fun, except for the second night when the temperature dipped to 39 degrees (Farenheit) -- we had purchased 40 degree sleeping bags (it was Florida in March, for goodness sakes). And of course "nature called me" at 2 a.m. that night. It does make for a story.
Thanks to all of you for the comments. I am having a good time reliving some of the adventure behind this image!
Not much I can add to this delightful picture. Given the precarious nature of the bird's perch he like the rest of the picture are well balanced. The yellowy-brown background combines well with the colouring of the bird and his 'anklets' add a touch of colour (glamour?). I can understand your feeling about moving on. There are more species out their to capture just as well. I was always after a kingfisher shot during my bird photography days. I had gone to a new park to shoot the ducks when a kingfisher decided to land no more than 5 meters in front of me. He was a little close given the length of lens and my first shot was a real grab (in focus but a very sloping composition) as I thought he'd flit away again. He didn't and I managed a couple more frames before he flew off. After I'd captured the kingfisher shot and not wanting to camp out like you did I decided on a change of subject matter. Though seeing your bird shots I do get a hankering for shooting some more...perhaps this winter's project.
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It has merit without the story, that adds interest, however it is a superb 'bird on a stick'
This little character is definitley energetic and having him slightly off center and framed by those grases probably heps in conveying that feeling.
It is a powerful picture of a bird very clearly alive (unlike many birds on sticks). The poor thing may not know if it is a sparrow or a grasshopper but it clearly knows it is supposed to sing :-)
How many of the surviving population is tagged?
There is another population of these sparrows in a public Wildlife Management Area north of this one I'm told. They are counted yearly but not in an active research study so unbanded. I MIGHT attempt to photograph one of those birds next spring now that I've had some "practice". Will have to see how motivated I am as that time approaches!
Apart from the photographic merits, the story behind this intrigues me. It sounds like you had fun getting th e photo. I'm reminded of some of Colin's description of his birding set up, which always made me thinking of fishing. The two pursuits seem to share much in common, namely, waiting and preparation. Sounds fun.
Matt -- thinking back on it now, some of it was very fun (some wasn't). Stan and I camped in a tent (first timers) so we could be near the sparrow site at dawn before the park opened its gates -- (one of my biggest "trials" was convincing Stan we had to do that!) I thought camping was great fun, except for the second night when the temperature dipped to 39 degrees (Farenheit) -- we had purchased 40 degree sleeping bags (it was Florida in March, for goodness sakes). And of course "nature called me" at 2 a.m. that night. It does make for a story.
Thanks to all of you for the comments. I am having a good time reliving some of the adventure behind this image!