I could easily hear this Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) singing high in the trees this past Tuesday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, but I had a hard time getting an obstructed view of it because it was hidden in the branches. I waited and waited and eventually the Thrasher moved to a more open spot. I was delighted when I managed to capture a shot when it started singing again.
According to some naturalists cited on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website, “It is the opinion of many ornithologists that the song (of the Brown Thrasher)… is richer, fuller, and definitely more melodious than that of polyglottis” (the Northern Mockingbird).” I was also happy that I was able to get some good shots of the striking yellow eyes of the Brown Thrasher. Wow!
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Wonderful portraits! I especially love the one with the open beak and there is something about the bold yellow of the eyes that makes the image that bit more emphatic, like the bird is communicating something really important that we need to heed.
My very most favorite bird after the great blue heron!!
For the second year in a row, I have a nesting pair in my yard! They are so beautiful, and very shy. They don’t usally come to the feeder until everyone is gone. They are very shy for such big birds.
Wow!
Pretty shots