Here I Am #1
by Robert Bales
Title
Here I Am #1
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
Found this mockingbird in our backyard looking at me.
The Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, is the only mockingbird commonly found in North America. This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema Natu in 1758 as Turdus polyglottos.
The Northern Mockingbird breeds in southeastern Canada, the United States, northern Mexico, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and the Greater Antilles. It is replaced further south by its closest living relative, the Tropical Mockingbird. The Socorro Mockingbird, an endangered species, is also closely related, contrary to previous opinion.The bird is the state bird of Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.
The mockingbird was given its name because of its ability to mimic the calls of dozens of other bird species. In fact, the mockingbird's Latin name, Mimus polyglottus, means many-tongued mimic. The mockingbirds has even been known to mimic the sounds of dogs and sirens! The mockingbird is especially vocal on moonlit spring nights.
The mockingbird is very territorial. It dives and attacks intruders that come too close to its territory. It may even attack its own reflection!
Uploaded
April 7th, 2016
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Comments (13)
Laurie Search
Oh, this is so beautiful, Robert!! Fantastic focus, detail, and dof, and I love the pink flowers in the background!!! :)))vf
Nick Boren
Awesome bird image.. with some very beautiful background bokeh.. :-) FV
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks Nick for the FV and the nce comments. I really had to tone the BG down.
Karen Nicholson
He wanted to have his picture taken by you, Bob! A little 'birdy' must have told him what a great photographer you are! Beautiful capture. L/F
Elizabeth Dow
What a happy spring time shot! The birds were singing up here in Maine today. They were so happy that it reached 50 degrees!
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks for the visit and wonderful comments. These birds sure enjoy singing, but sometimes is at 2AM. I think it was 90 degrees the day I took this one.