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Bring Home the Grub


Bring Home the Grub
Photo Information
Copyright: Rick Price (Adanac) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1036 W: 1 N: 3970] (13358)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-01
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 40D, Canon 100-400/4.5-5.6L IS
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/640 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-02 4:14
Viewed: 439
Points: 48
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi All,
Yesterday this Western Meadowlark caught my eye as he had a beak full of grubs for some hungery mouths that were close by. Busy time of the year for birds, and humans alike.

Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
General Description

By Gustave J. Yaki


The Western Meadowlark breeds across western Canada, USA and the high Mexican Plateau. In Alberta, it breeds preferably in ungrazed native grasslands and sagebrush in the grassland region, less so in agricultural areas in the Aspen parkland and the boreal forest, which it colonized during the last century. However, recently, their numbers have been declining, particularly in the northern part of its range.

This species likes large, open, grassy areas, whether they be in urban or rural areas. The first birds returns from their wintering grounds, as far south as central Mexico, about mid March. Most birds depart the province by mid October. A very few Western Meadowlarks sometimes try to overwinter in southern Alberta.

The diet is mostly insects, but includes a few grass and forb seeds. Apparently some fruit may also be taken.

The nest is a well-concealed cup on the ground in tall grasses, with a dome-shape roof. The opening is on one side. The female always walks some distance to and from the nest, well-concealed, before flying. Usually five eggs are laid. The female incubates for 13-15 days and will feed the young while building a second nest and laying eggs. The male assumes full care of the young after she again begins incubation. The young fledge at 11-12 days.
Argus, claudine, uleko, eqshannon, nikosrio, maurydv, jaycee, CeltickRanger, angela926, vanderschelden, MartinL, JPlumb, mala-zaba has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Rick!
Very beautiful shot of this bird in its "intim" moment when she eats.
Great moment and great shot.
All the best,
Iulian

  • Great 
  • jesst Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 353 W: 0 N: 163] (2092)
  • [2008-06-02 5:10]

Wonderful picture and great moment catured

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2492 W: 132 N: 7090] (22145)
  • [2008-06-02 5:11]

Hello Rick,
Nice one of a Western Meadowlark with a mouthful of grubs for the nestlings' grub!
Excellent POV, pose, sharpness and BG in a pleasing composition.
A joy to view and thanks for sharing it;
Ivan

Hi Rick,
What a superb capture of this beautiful bird! You had great timing to catch it with this worm in its beak! Colors, details, composition and exposure are very nice. I wish we had those birds here as well! Thanks,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2375 W: 164 N: 7131] (22536)
  • [2008-06-02 6:03]

Hello Rick,
Lovely shot of this pretty bird in fine markings and colours. Good focus, great sharpness and I like the smooth background.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

Almost TOO good rick...I watched a season of Survivor and know what it looks like for humans to devour this type of food:-) A fine clear and well focus close in shot of the bird however...well seen in it's natural state...BTW...did I mention I have you hanging on my wall:-)? Don't ask! but you are alone among all of my images!
Bob

Hello Rick,
very nice shot,great color and sharpness,
regards,
Nikos.

Stupendo ritratto e spettacolare momento di cattura, eccellenti POV e composizione, ottima nitidezza, fantastici i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1684 W: 8 N: 4321] (14053)
  • [2008-06-02 8:28]

Hi Rick,

A lovely Meadowlark in a wonderful pose with his mouth full of goodies. His colors are beautiful and he quite a fashion plate with the yellow breast and the black vee. Excellent details of the face, the plummage, and the wonderfully patterned wings. I wonder if we have Meadowlarks here.

Jane

hello Rick

excellent close shot of the Western Meadowlark
bringing food to his chicks, fine POV, excellent warm luminosity,
great sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

Hello Rick,
WOW!! Great capture, superb sharpness and depth of field, excedllent composition an d pov, fantastic details and beautiful vivid colors, great timing, I love to see his meal of worms.
Angela

Beautiful bird, Rick.
You photographed it very well especially in terms of decisive moment.
Well done!
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • hades (38)
  • [2008-06-02 11:39]

bonjour Rick je trouve ta photo tres belle.elle est nette,les
couleur sont magnifique et tu a de belle contraste.J'ADORE
Jimmy(hades)

  • Great 
  • rdfoto Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 375 W: 0 N: 747] (3202)
  • [2008-06-02 12:05]

Bonsoir Rick
Très belle prise, couleurs et netteté, beau sujet.
Amicalement Robi

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1109 W: 59 N: 2247] (7449)
  • [2008-06-02 12:13]

Hello Rick,
Yes you were lucky that this bird was so close by. Very beautiful photo with good sharpness and great colours. Good OOF BG, composition and POV.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1210 W: 0 N: 4626] (13756)
  • [2008-06-02 14:18]

Hi Rick

I am back home now.

Excellent shot - great pose plus wonderful detail and colours.

James

Rick,

Excellent shot with a bonus! Great exposure, details, sharpness and composition. You've done very well here. Everything makes for a great shot. TFS.

Best Regards,

Martin

Hi,
Too tired, will be back later!
Goldy

Hello Rick,

Excellent picture of this beautiful bird. Excellent composition and timing. Great sharpness. Very good colours and perfect background.
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1583 W: 242 N: 5286] (18629)
  • [2008-06-03 1:20]

Very good photo, Rick!
Some chicks are gonna be full tonight! :-)
Lovely plumage that you show very well.
Sharp with great detail.
Excellent BG and DOF.
Superb composition.

Very well done,

Joe

Hi Rick, it's a home delivery shot. Very good close detail seen on this Meadowlark with the grubs. It's well composed with this pose on the post, ready to fly..

Thanks, John

Bonjour,
Jolis détails et belles couleurs.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

Hi Rick,
Great moment captured on this photo.
TFS
Eric

That's a really nice looking bird Rick. I'd like to see it with a green backround to bring out feather colours. Nice to see with the grub just the same. TFS Trevor

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3410 W: 144 N: 5798] (17183)
  • [2008-08-27 19:57]

Hi Rick, what a super shot of the Western Meadowlark.
Excellent focus, bright colours and sharp details - what else do you want??
And the baby birds are going top be full and satisfied soon.
Well captured
Janice

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