A Dickcissel is always a welcome spring sight for me at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. I found this one singing near the auto tour road on April 26, 2020.
Its patterned face, yellow chest, and bold song make it hard to overlook when it is perched in the open.
Dickcissel Singing Near the Auto Tour Road
I usually find Dickcissels in open fields at the refuge. This bird was close enough to photograph after I pulled over along the auto tour road.
The singing posture caught my attention first. A perched Dickcissel often gives a photographer a clean look at its markings, especially when it sits above the grass.
Over the years, I have noticed fewer Dickcissels in some places where I used to see them more often. Their numbers can change a lot from year to year.
Land use also matters for birds like this. They depend on open fields and grassland habitat during the breeding season.
Watching a Grassland Bird at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge has the kind of field edges and open areas where I watch for birds like Dickcissels. I check fence lines, tall stems, and open perches as I drive.
This bird gave me a good look from the road. I did not need to leave my pickup or push closer.
That matters with wildlife photography. A calm bird usually makes a better photo than one that feels pressured.
Photographing This Dickcissel From My Pickup
I photographed this Dickcissel from my pickup. I rested the camera and lens on a bean bag draped over the open window.
That setup gives me steady support and lets me work without a tripod. It also keeps my movement low when a bird is close to the road.
Taken on April 26, 2020, at 8:43 A.M.
Camera settings:
- Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
- Lens: Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM
- AV Mode
- Aperture: f/8.0
- ISO: 640
- Shutter speed: 1/2500 second
- Focal length: 500 mm
This was a simple roadside encounter, but it stayed with me. A singing Dickcissel in spring light is a small reminder of why I keep watching the fields.