There were many interesting bird and large mammal photo subjects on Antelope Island yesterday morning but in my mind this Loggerhead Shrike stood out.
It was a day of contrasts in both subjects and light. Both large mammals and birds were unusually active and intermittent clouds and sunlight (at least I think it was sunlight – it’s been a while…) made for challenging shooting conditions but also provided some interesting backgrounds.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, tiny branch tip removed, not baited, set up or called in
This adult Loggerhead Shrike (I’m also beginning to see juveniles) picked a clean perch and stuck as I approached. This is one of those cases where I was able to have some choice in my background by choosing where to stop my pickup. Instead of plain blue sky or solid white clouds (yuck) I was able to maneuver so that a shaded mountain formed my backdrop. The dappled light on the hillside gave me some dark color tone variety in the background that appeals to me. The shrike was close, I had good light, the entire perch is sharp and the subject was cooperative (at first).
But what I like most about this image is the way the shrike is sitting on the twig. The combination of the fluffed belly feathers, the squatting posture and how deeply the twig is “imbedded” in the feathers makes it appear to me as if the bird is an integral part of the perch. In fact I’ll go so far as to say that the shrike reminds me of a large, bird-shaped gall on an oak branch or some other species of plant. And I like that.
What I didn’t like was my luck (or lack thereof) when the bird took off.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
When it did so it quickly hopped up from its squatting position, twisted to my right (opposite the direction it had been facing), and took off in an unexpected direction. And wouldn’t you know it, I clipped the tip of one miserable primary feather.
I often clip body parts in situations like this but when I catch a pose that I like a lot it hurts more than usual.
Ron
Ouch on that clipped primary. Before I started reading your blog, I might have not even registered that but now, I see how it takes away from the shot. 🙁
Simply sensational shots Ron!
Charlotte
These are beautiful, Ron and I don’t find that one little bit of clipped primary distracting at all. I do understand your feelings–I would likely feel the same way (should I ever take such a beautiful image) but it’s a beautiful image none the less. I love these little birds and both images are stunning.
Beautiful shots Ron. I love the illumination on the eye stripe in the top image and the different hues of brown and gold that show up.
Good eye, Ed. Many folks see these birds as mostly black and white.
Love the fluffy ninja assassin. And the unexpected take off is something that birds LOVE to do. I am sure there is a point system somewhere. Two points if they make you clip a wing, five for a decapitation, ten if they can make you audibly swear, groan, weep…
EC, my swearing vocabulary increased exponentially when I started to photograph birds. Truly! I don’t swear AT the birds (usually). I just swear. With gusto.
I won a swearing contest with one very angry HS Senior and 13 other High Schooll high school seniors(, mostly boys) looking on…after a week of backpacking in the Adirondack mountains…it was that or face a mutiny over a missing pick up bus. IF you need any help with your vocabulary, I’m your man! (Make that your old “llady”)
The Loggerhead Shrike! My favorite little killer songbird! Beautiful photo’s Ron!
“My favorite little killer songbird!”
Well said, Delores. And thank you.
Nice shots of one of my not so favorite birds,”The Impaler”. I do not find.the small, sharp hook on the beak additionally endearing..I’ve only seen one once, briefly, and wasn’t thrilled…
Patty, You and I seldom disagree but on this one I think we’re at loggerheads (sorry about that…). I love shrikes and don’t find their food habits distasteful, any more than I do those of full-blown raptors. Which is not at all…
“We’re at ‘lloggerheads’.!!!???” That is really sick!!!!
My feeling exactly! 🙂
We’ve had this parting of ways before…guess my main concern is whether their ptey is dead or alive when impaled….which is it???
Whenever I’ve seen them impale prey it’s always been dead prey.
That makes a big difference….otherwise they’re right in there with the two-legged, flightless “shrikes” who impale live crickets, grasshoppers, frogs, minnows and worms on hooks, hoping to outwit fish….What those birds do, if I’m to believe you, is merely STORAGE. I can handle that……You’re off the hook (pun intended)….,
What a lovely little bird, Ron – and of course it’s another bird I’ve never seen before. I should start listing all the lovely critters you have introduced me to!! I love both shots of this sweetie with his lovely markings. In the second shot, looking at his body feathers they look very thick. Need to go to the Cornell site to hear him sing!!
Most folks don’t call it singing, Jo Ann – though that’s really what it is I guess. It certainly isn’t very melodic…
These are both beautiful, despite the clipped feather in the second one. Bird-shaped gall is a perfect description of the first one. I really like the warm light in that one, too. To me, the bird looks a bit grumpy in the first shot, and after looking more closely, it occurs to me that being a gall on a thorny branch could account for that… 🙂
“the bird looks a bit grumpy in the first shot”
Ha, shrikes nearly always look grumpy, Susan! (I think their hooked beak contributes to the perception). And their call usually sounds that way too. Thanks very much.
Hi Ron,
Great shots. The Loggerhead Shrik is a beautiful bird, and the first time I got to photograph one was on Antalope Island. Like you I captured one in a nice pose and when it took flight it did as yours…it was unexpectedly the opposit direction.
“when it took flight it did as yours…it was unexpectedly the opposite direction”
Frustrating, isn’t it, Gary? Thank you.