Shrikes have been an elusive subject for me for some time now so getting this mated pair in the frame together was a real treat.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 320, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed them one year ago tomorrow on Antelope Island. The two of them were establishing their pair bond and just prior to this photo the male on the left had delivered an insect snack to the female which she had gobbled it down as part of the process known as “courtship feeding”. While she was swallowing it I didn’t have a good angle on her head or a catch light in her eye but immediately afterward they both gave me nice poses. Getting two birds in the frame is always a treat but in my view it’s a bonus when they’re shrikes.
Viewers will likely notice that the female isn’t as sharp as the male. That’s a depth of field issue because I was quite close to them and shooting at f/6.3. I have other shots where the female is sharper but in those she didn’t give me a great head angle.
Guess what! It looks like we’ll have good light this morning and the forecast calls for more of the same until Friday. It will be nice to get out into the field again with the birds and that should give my body time enough to fully recover from all that garden tilling.
I’m still sore but I feel better than I did yesterday. I don’t recover as quickly as I used to…
Ron
Despite the slight fuzziness of the female the overall composition is really nice. Neat the way the breeze “feathered” the feathers on the female. I always like the soft backgrounds you achieve.
Thanks, Lyle. Nearly all of the credit for the bokeh in my backgrounds goes to my lens. It’s known for them.
Ron, a beautiful photo. Love the black stripes on the eyes and the catch light. An interesting tidbit about “courtship feeding”. Not so sure it is that different with us humans! Thank you and look forward to some photos with the sun.
Good point about humans and birds, Alice. I agree.
It is a stunning shot. Colour me impressed that you also like it DESPITE the ‘imperfections’ (which less picky people don’t notice or automatically excuse).
You are so right about the recovery process. Sadly these days it takes about four times as long as it used to. At least a start has been made.
I’d like it a lot more if the female were sharp, EC! 🙂 Sorry, couldn’t resist…
Gorgeous photos! Bird photography is so hard! Ditto on everything Stephen C. said!!
Much appreciated, Joanne.
Very sweet pair! I can’t imagine the degree of difficulty in getting this shot, but you nailed it (no pun intended)! This lovey-dovey shot belies their hardcore feeding style.
Picking up my new fosters — mom and two kittens — later this morning. After my last kitten experience, will definitely be checking for fleas before we leave the shelter. 🙀
Thanks, Marty. The degree of difficulty mostly involved getting enough depth of field to get two birds sharp that aren’t in the same plane. My result left a lot to be desired. But what still made the image special for me was getting the mated pair together. Good luck with the potential fleas!
Inspected everyone before leaving the shelter and so far, so good. 🙂 Mama is a bit overprotective, but a beautiful black long-hair with copper eyes. Babies are grey tabby little snausages (around 7-10 days old). I’m leaving them in their room for a few hours to get acclimated.
Ron,
Nice shot. They are a little hard to “capture.” A couple of points. As I try to improve, you again are my major mentor for bird photography. My “culling” is much faster as I look for things you have pointed out in your blog. Today, for instance, is the catch light in the eye. I didn’t notice that before I became a “Dudley Groupie.” Now as I review my shots “catch light” is a major criteria for keepers which makes for a much faster selection process in many situations. It is so obvious now that it is pointed out. The bird/animal/person certainly looks more alive and engaged with the picture/photographer/viewer when it is there.
Secondly, I am sympathetic to your surgery as I look outside today and see the sun I will look forward to your pictures. I am having surgery myself on Thursday so you will be my only access to the great outdoors, birds and photography for some time.
Love your blog and shots and tips and birds and…
Stephen
Your first paragraph means a lot to me, Stephen. I’m delighted that you’re finding my tips helpful. Sometimes I think I belabor some of my points to excess but it’s nice to know that some of it is catching on.
Whenever I see a catch light missing in one of my images that I like otherwise I think of something I read on Wikipedia years ago. I just checked and it’s still there – “Audiences usually perceive eyes without specular highlights (catch lights) to be lifeless or evil, and for this reason many cinematographers specifically eliminate catch lights on antagonistic characters”. The last thing I want is for my birds to appear lifeless!
I wish you the best of luck on your surgery and a recovery with as much discomfort as possible!
Wonderful photo, and unusual as you say!
Thank you, Nancy.
Loggerhead Shrikes are always a challenge due to that black eye-stripe. I have taken excellent photos of them where everything looks great except that there is no catch light due to the way they were positioned relative to the light. Very nice photos Ron. Hope you will have some really good days out there now.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Thanks, Everett. Weather’s looking good for a few days and I even found a couple of interesting birds this morning.
Beautiful! 🙂 The Shrikes ARE a challenge both in where they tend to perch and the black eye stripe….. No, getting over stiff muscles definitely isn’t as easy as it used to be…… 😉 Glad it’s “just that” tho and didn’t impede your recovery…… Up VERY early dealing with a Pack Rat outside – dog “got it” with a little help from me…….. Nasty creatures! 🙁
Sounds like you’ve had an exciting early morning, Judy!
You’re right about that black eye stripe – it’s a photon-sucker for sure!