Mockingbird in January

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Mockingbird in January

January 4, 2016 by Mike Powell

Yesterday I made a trip to Green Spring Gardens and found, not surprisingly, that not much was in bloom. I used to visit this county-run historical garden often, but it’s been a while since I was there last.

While I was there I spotted this beautiful little Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) perched inside of a bush. I am not sure what kind of a bush it is, but the bright red berries add a festive touch to the scene.

I’m still celebrating the twelve days of Christmas, culminating on January 6 with Three Kings Day (Epiphany). Radio stations, alas, seem to have moved on, so I have to sing Christmas carols a cappella when I am in the car (or even at home).

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife, Winter | Tagged Alexandria VA, Canon 50D, green spring gardens, Mimus polyglottos, mockingbird, Northern Mockingbird, Tamron 180mm macro lens | 17 Comments

17 Responses

on January 4, 2016 at 8:43 am | Reply Sue

A great capture here, Mike. Bright colors of the berries make nice accents. You really nailed the focus on the bird’s eye!
- on January 4, 2016 at 11:32 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. One of the interesting things about this shot, Sue, is that I took it with my macro lens. Of course, I should note that it is a 180mm lens, so with my crop sensor camera it has the field of view of almost 300mm.
on January 4, 2016 at 10:01 am | Reply kcg1974

Love this color against the limbs and bright red berries. Thank you, Mike.
on January 4, 2016 at 12:02 pm | Reply Charlie@Seattle Trekker

Harper Lee made mockingbirds special in my world; you really captured a wonderful photo of this little fellow.
- on January 4, 2016 at 12:06 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Charlie.
on January 4, 2016 at 2:21 pm | Reply Laura (PA Pict)

What a wonderful portrait! You have captured every detail of that beautiful bird and I love the light in its eye.
- on January 5, 2016 at 4:44 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Laura. It’s always nice to be able to get a catchlight in the eyes–it adds an extra bit of life to the subject.
on January 4, 2016 at 6:05 pm | Reply Sally Morris

Really strong shot!
- on January 5, 2016 at 4:43 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Sally. The bird’s head was poking out of the bush, so I was able to get a good focus on it and the red berries were provided nice little bursts of color.
on January 4, 2016 at 6:29 pm | Reply mvschulze

Beautiful picture. M 🙂
- on January 5, 2016 at 4:42 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks.
on January 4, 2016 at 9:37 pm | Reply waltersanford

Crisp photo, like the weather yesterday.
- on January 5, 2016 at 4:42 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Walter. The recent sun has welcome, but deceptive, since it has not provided much warmth at all (and yesterday the wind was biting).
on January 5, 2016 at 4:49 am | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

The shrub might be a winterberry, which is a native holly. The bird is puffed up like it was cold there!
- on January 5, 2016 at 5:03 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  We are finally having winter-like temperatures. I think it was in the low 40’s when I took the shot.
  - on January 5, 2016 at 5:56 am New Hampshire Garden Solutions
    
    That bird doesn’t want to come north. It’s 4 degrees here this morning.
  - on January 5, 2016 at 6:09 am Mike Powell
    
    Yikes. We have flurries in the forecast for Northern Virginia, which probably won’t amount to much.