Snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)
The snow buntings are wintering in balmy central Ontario, visiting from the high Arctic. Usually I see them in flocks of between 30 and 80, flying together in sweeping bands as if in a blizzard. But this snow bunting was solo and willing to stand still for a short photo shoot.
Posing for the camera
Snow buntings do not have a breeding plumage. Underneath the colours you see here, the back feathers are pure black and the body feathers are white. During the winter, males rub the feather tips off on snow so that by breeding time he is a striking combination of black and white.
I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE
44 comments:
Brought to mind several amusing thoughts about the possible origins of the name "bunting". :-)
Some facts that I did not know about these birds. Thanks! I usually only see them here in January or February and they a nearly impossible to capture on 'my' camera. You are quick!! :)
what a beauty. love those feathers. ( :
Beautiftul bird photos!
He is so beautiful in this coloring, I can only imagine him in black and white.
Darla
i love the details in the first shot, so many different shades of color and texture and that is so cool that they rub the feathers that way.
You were lucky to get these shots. I would never be patient enough to wait for them. :)
Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography
They don't seem to mind the cold, i wonder what their skins are made of!
Their coloring and markings are so beautiful. You captured some very nice shots of this guy.
What a handsome bird! I wish they would come farther south! Terrific shots!
Lovely post, one of my fave birds.
What a beauty. I have never (that I know of) seen a Snow Bunting. We seldom get snow here on the coast maybe that's why. LOL
MB
What a beautiful bird!
WOW!
Brilliant!
That is one bird I'd love to see and... photograph!!
Great info also, thanks for sharing!
Cheers!
a lovely, but shy, little one. I ahd the opportunity to capture it onec last winter. Wasn´t easy. Your images is close to perfect.
They are beautiful birds and you captured them so well.
You are one lucky lady! I'd love to spot these beauties:) Congrats on the great pic!
Such an impressive bird. And so dapperly dressed!!!
Great photos - those little birds have such beautiful colors.
Lovely images of a beautiful bird...
Awesome shots of this beautiful bird!
Lovely bird, so cute!
Splendid photowork!
Magical, a beautiful bird.
Superb shots. I am so jealous 30/80 birds? Wow.
I've never seen snow bunting, I see that's lovely bird :)
Greetings !
What a cute little bird! So nice of it to model for you.
Wow! These are gorgeous shots.
You really should do a 'birds of Ontario' book, EG! I'd buy one for sure.
I love these cute Snow Buntings, great shots!
What a sweet bird and lovely images! I marvel at your patience in capturing these bits of nature:)
Fantastic photograph of this beautiful bunting!
We're lucky to get a stray one during migration down here.
Nice job!
What a handsome little one!
He's a beaut!
something so appealing about a plump bird
Such a handsome bird. Lucky you that he was patient to have his portrait done!
Must be a lot of work to rub off all those feather tips! I wonder why they do that...
That is certainly a pretty little bird! Love that bit of knowledge about rubbing the feathers off. Very interesting.
He's beautiful! I especially love that first shot.
Beautiful little bird. Wonderful captures.
this is such a gorgeous bird, and what a treat to see!
what a darling little bird.
Hi. handsome bird, great shot.
Lovely pictures. They're very photogenic.
Nice model! I don't think you could have trained it better.
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