the chubby junco
January 19, 2009
Appearances are deceiving. Most of the time, it looks like this, all fluffy and low riding. But once today, it transformed into a much sleeker version, but only for a few seconds. It might be sick, because its heartbeat shakes its whole body, very unlike the other birds. When it finished eating, it rested for a long time, pulsating.
This shot was taken just before sunset at a high ISO, hence the considerable artifacting. Why did I not set up the better camera with the tripod?
Most of them - the juncos, the chickadees, wrens, towhees - regard the tripod as The Monster. And when the bigger camera is attached, then it’s The One-Eyed Monster, to be avoided at all times. Or else they stay, eating really fast with a look of terror, which does not make for a happy picture.
But perhaps time will change things.
