Pic of the Day

Veery, Catharus fuscescens: McGee Marsh, Ohio

     As mentioned in the May 15^th post, the Veery has perhaps the most beautiful song of any of the thrushes.  It certainly has, in my opinion.  You can checkout the song in my May 15^th post here, http://bobbyharrison.blogspot.com/search/label/Veery, and hear for yourself.  In May, I found a pair of very cooperative veeries along the woodland edge adjacent to the parking lot while visiting Magee Marsh during "The Biggest Week in American Birding."  

     While shooting this bird in the leaf litter, it must have read my mind.  As it hopped through the leaves I was saying to myself, "move to the moss, move to the moss," when it abruptly changed direction and hopped on to the moss near the base of a tree.  The greenery made the photo for me.  Now, if that would just work all the time!

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/400 second @ f/7.1

Pic of the Day

Veery, Catharus fuscescens:  Magee Marsh, Ohio

     Back in spring of 1976, I was backpacking in the Great Smoky Mountains when I heard a beautiful thrush song that I could not identify.  I believed the bird to have been a Veery, but as hard as I tried to find the source, I just could not find the bird.  When I returned home I got my Roger Tory Peterson LP's on bird songs and listened to the thrushes on the record player.  As soon as I played the Veery's song I discovered my initial guess was correct.  I was mesmerized by the song and have listened for veerys every spring since.  
     Earlier this week I was at Magee Marsh, Ohio during the "Biggest Week in American Birding" when I came across a pair of Veerys feeding on the forest floor.  The birds paid little attention to me and allowed me to get great close-up photographs.  As much as I enjoyed photographing the Veery,  I would have much more enjoyed a serenade of its lyrical song.  

Follow this youtube link to hear the Veery for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK1gaTqBRRk 

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4 with 20mm of extension tubes, 1/320 second @ f/7.1