Finding birds during nesting season often means paying attention to small details. On a spring morning at Sunnymead Park in Fort Smith, Arkansas, one of those details turned into a memorable wildlife photography opportunity.
On May 14, 2023, I noticed a female Dickcissel perched on a barbed wire fence with nesting material tucked securely in her beak. She only paused for a moment before continuing on, but it was long enough for me to capture two photographs that tell part of her nesting story.
Spotting a Dickcissel with Nesting Material at Sunnymead Park
Female Dickcissels do all of the nest construction themselves. Watching one gather nesting material offers a glimpse into one of the busiest parts of their breeding season.
These grassland birds usually build their nests in thick grasses, weeds, or other dense vegetation where the nest is well hidden. They weave together grasses, leaves, and other plant fibers to create a sturdy cup for their eggs.
Seeing this female carrying nesting material reminded me that even a quick stop on a fence can reveal an important part of a bird’s life cycle. A single photograph can capture behavior that lasts only a few seconds.
If you’d like to see another example of this behavior in a different location, take a look at Dickcissel Nesting Habits at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, where I photographed another female gathering nesting material in Oklahoma.
Dickcissel with Nesting Material and Nest-Building Behavior
The female usually completes the nest in only a few days before laying her eggs. Nests are commonly tucked into dense grasses or weeds where they are difficult for predators to find.
Because the nesting season is brief, every trip carrying grasses or plant fibers is part of a carefully timed process. Moments like this remind me how much activity is happening in a field that many people simply drive past.
Observing wildlife without disturbing it is always my goal. Keeping a respectful distance allows natural behavior to continue while creating opportunities for authentic photographs.
Photographing a Quiet Spring Moment
This encounter lasted only a short time before the bird flew away with her nesting material. I was fortunate to capture two images before she disappeared into the surrounding vegetation.
Wildlife photography often rewards patience more than planning. A simple walk through the park became a chance to document an important stage in the life of a Dickcissel, and it’s one of those encounters that keeps me coming back outdoors with my camera.
Camera Settings
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 800 mm F11
- Location: Sunnymead Park, Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Date Taken: May 14, 2023
- Time: 9:11 A.M.
- Aperture: f/11
- Shutter Speed: 1/1250
- ISO: 2500 (Auto)
- Exposure Compensation: +0.3
- Focal Length: 800 mm