A Snow Bunting Surprise

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Comments


Jeff

i seen a small flock to day in the corn field

Heather Mellon

Thanks for the update Jeff. Good to know they're being seen across the country :)

Jeff

that is good to know a lot never come in this year like wax wings i had a flock of Buntings in my yard last year short time

Heather Mellon

I'm finding that too. The Pine Grosbeaks are late in coming this year and I haven't seen a Snowy Owl for quite some time in this area where they used to come every winter. I keep hoping to see some before long but maybe the weather conditions have something to do with that too. I did see a flock of Waxwings come in to feed not long ago but missed out on getting some photos.

Jeff

a good one of that bird hard birds to get good color the green is good with the bird colors

Heather Mellon

Thank you Jeff. That's true and I guess it's partly because they don't settle down for very long. This was the first time I tried to photograph them and photographing against the light didn't make it any easier.

Jenny Stevens

Hi Heather: What an interesting little fellow. I just read up on it as I am not familiar with them. I wondered where you took the shot. It is strange as Can Geo asks us to show where the shot was taken, but we cannot see it !!

Heather Mellon

Hi Jenny, thank you for asking. I took this photo in the County of Grande Prairie in Alberta. I came across them on a gravel road in a hilly area that they return to every autumn. They are common to this region from autumn when they come down from the Arctic and remain until spring. Sorry for the delay in responding.

Debra Plett

Wonderful sighting and shot Heather. I have never seen one in my area. I will keep my eyes open for these little guys. Thx for sharing and nicely captured.

Heather Mellon

Thank you for your comment Debra. I've often seen them fly up from the road sides at night in winter looking solid white. I was surprised at how unique and pretty their colours and markings are. It's good to know now that they're not just 'snow birds'..

Yves Langlois

Great shot Heather. Nice that you capture wide frame. This guy is at its best when we can feel the vastness of the field with a little snow. We have them too but I never had a chance to see one. Very beautyful bird.

Heather Mellon

Thank you for your comment Yves. You don't get much time for close up shots with these birds but it reflects the kind of landscape they live in and it was nice to be able to capture one in it.

Description
Got my first sighting of this winters Snow Buntings a few days ago when they popped up unexpectedly along a gravel road. They're incredibly fast and flighty and I felt lucky to get this shot of one beside a weed that towered above it.
Taken By
Heather Mellon
Taken On
November 28, 2022
Tagged
snow bunting bird a of winter anthus animal
  • Focal: 180
  • Shutter speed: 0.002 sec
  • Aperture: f/ 8

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