The Wind River Canyon is full of surprises, and this week is proof-positive that if you just pay attention you will notice wonderful things.  Earlier this week, as snowstorms were moving through the mountains, I noticed a little red bird on the ground eating sunflower seeds.  We have other red-colored birds in the canyon.  Cassin's and House Finches are known for being red, but not in cold winter months; now the red markings are more dull than this new bird.  As I came near the other finches flew away, the new red bird stayed right where he was.  

     A little bird that doesn't fly away when you come near is unique.  I'm big, he's little, they usually fly away, but this little red guy sat and continued to eat sunflower seeds.  Minding my manners as you learn to do in the wild, I kept my distance and sneaked back into the cabin for a camera.  I didn't really need to hurry as it turned out, he's been an easy model all week; paid in sunflower seeds.  

     In nearly two decades we'd never seen a bird with a beak like this one.  When I looked at the photos on the camera-back his beak looked crossed; huh, what's this?  A reddish bird of six inches with a crossed beak, this won't be easy to find in a BIG BOOK on birds of North America.  You'll never guess what his name is....this newest addition to the Wind River Canyon bird list is a Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra).  Wasn't that hard to figure out, now was it?  Some things in life are obvious, even for Sherlock.

     The little wild bird, with the raptor-like crossed beak, was easy to get to know.  At one point this week I was on my stomach, in the melting snow, photographing him from a few feet away; it's a male of the species.  He seems to be the only one in the canyon right now, and I've seen no others ever before.  This photo is something I really love doing here in the canyon with wild birds, if I can manage it:  A portrait of a bird in the wild.  This takes patience, time and a willingness to get a little dirty and wet at times.  Then there are those fleeting moments with wildlife when things just happen, and the perfect wild bird portrait is right there.   Red Crossbill_A Portrait, Wind River CanyonRed Crossbill portrait photographed in Wind River Canyon, Wyoming.

     The Sun is low now in late November, and the afternoon light in the Wind River Canyon is like a photographers beauty-dish flash; strong, brilliant and perfect for portraiture.  My little Red Crossbill gave me the perfect pose in good strong sunlight.  His feathers under these lighting conditions take on an amazing red-orange color; I didn't mess with this color in post-production.

     Keep in mind this is no raptor, he eats seeds and is only half a foot tall!  The lens was my favorite 70-200mm f/4; it's lite and easy to wield in the field and is sharp as a razor.  This bird with the crazy beak is still here in the Wind River Canyon eating my sunflower seeds.  I've photographed over 120 different species of wild birds here in the canyon, how many more haven't I noticed....yet?

Wind River Canyon Blog and all photographs by Michael John Balog.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!