A fierce little predator on a colorful perch in interesting light.
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Today I’ve reached back into my archives for reasons I’ll explain.
Eight years ago I was lucky enough to get close to this Loggerhead Shrike perched on a sunflower stem from the previous year on Antelope Island. The shrike was so relaxed it stayed squatted down on the perch even with me that close which I thought was rather unusual.
I’ve never posted the image before in part because it’s an awkward one compositionally. I wanted to keep all three dried sunflower flowers and the shriveled leaf at bottom in the composition and that meant a vertical crop with the bird centered in the frame which isn’t necessarily ideal. But when I found the image again last night I decided to run with it today.
Readers may notice a change in tone in Feathered Photography for a day or two. My pickup will be in the shop for up to two days to have some long-neglected work done. I’m not a happy camper without a vehicle because it’s terribly inconvenient, it interrupts my routine and prevents me from going shooting. Wouldn’t you know it, the forecast is for sunny days for the rest of the week.
To make things worse I was in the middle of tuning up and making repairs to my camping trailer in anticipation of camping soon and now I won’t be able to go get parts I’ll probably need.
So I can’t go shooting and I’ll be stewing in my juices and possibly posting from my archives for a day or two.
As you can probably tell I don’t do change well.
Ron
Beautiful!
Thanks, Jean.
Glad you had to re post. What a great shot.
Diana
Thanks, Diana. Actually it isn’t a re-post. It’s just an older shot.
Trucks, campers, maintenance, inconveniences. I hate even getting the oil changed and that’s just a while-you-wait thing. To live the simple life of a Loggerhead Shrike: catching dinner and a suitable thorny bush to cache it.
“I hate even getting the oil changed”
So do I, Lyle – that’s how this whole chain of events started about a week ago. And a phone call a while ago told me that they’d have to order parts to fix one of the doors so they’ll have my pickup for two days.
Bummer about not being able to take advantage of the light. It was supposed to be cold and rainy this week, but that’s getting pushed to next. Yesterday felt like August or September. It’s too early to feel this sweaty. đ
I’m glad you pulled this shot and gave it the ol’ vertical croppa croppa. đ I love the deceptive adorable puffballness of the Shrike — until you get to that fierce little eye.
Thanks, Marty. Yes, shrikes are a dichotomy between fierceness and a deceptively innocent appearance.
The isolating of colors of this are really gorgeous.
Thank you, Arwen.
When you retrieve such beautiful images as this one, it makes my imagination go wild…wondering what other wonderful images you have locked away…(too bad this little guy as no feet)…âšī¸
We can see some toes, Patty – hopefully they’re connected to feet.
This is a beautiful photo, Ron, the light is so special. The colors, tone – it’s all more compelling than one would ever expect from such a simple shot. But Simplicity is its power – and we know that there is no such thing as Simplicity in photography.
I am sure you’ll be able to get out there again, in good health, very soon. Say one for me, please, as I am looking at another potential spinal surgery, in the middle of breeding season- avian, not mine.
Thank you, once again, for all your beautiful stuff.
I am definitely sending positive wishes your way. Surgery is never fun. I hope you can avoid it, and if that is not possible that it goes well.
I’m so sorry, Martha. I wish you the very best with it. I’ll probably have to have another spinal surgery before too long but I’m trying to put it off.
I admire that you maintain a sense of humor under the circumstances, as evidenced by “in the middle of breeding season- avian, not mine”. đ
Adding my good wishes and positive vibes. đ
I really like the shrike photo.
I feel you pain! Yesterday I had no plans and it was overcast. Monday and today are gorgeous and Iâve had doctors apt. Keeping me home. What is the use of being unemployed!
Different cause, same effect. I’m so sorry, April. You’ve had a very difficult row to hoe as of late.
I am very grateful that you got over your hesitation.
I really like the whole deal. The relaxed, fluffy posture is almost deceiving – until I focused on the ‘glint in the eye’ and that penetrating stare.
I hope the car and the camper maintenance go as well as yours did. Yes it is a blight now, but how much more of a blight it would have been if the car had failed while you were camping.
“how much more of a blight it would have been if the car had failed while you were camping.”
That was one of my motivations, EC. One of the issues they’re working on is two doors that aren’t working properly. One won’t open at all and the driver’s door is acting like it might be next. It would be a disaster if I couldn’t even open the driver’s door while I was camping.
I’m very glad that you re-posted this shot; I hadn’t seen it before, and am
absolutely certain I would have remembered if I had, because I think that
it is a classic in all visual aspects–really exquisite.
Kris, you hadn’t seen it because I hadn’t posted it before. When I say “from my archives” I only mean the photo is old, not that I’m reposting it. Glad you like it!
Perfect light and framing – wonderful bird
Thank you, Leslie.
Love this beautiful photo!! Hope you are soon out and shooting again!
I hope to be, Joanne. Thanks to Uber I just got home after dropping my pickup off at Ford. They said they might be able to get it all done in one day. Fingers are crossed!
Edit: It didn’t happen. They had to order parts so they’ll have it for two days. Dammit!
Good Luck with that đ
Sorry đ
Very nice capture !
Thanks, Alan.
I REALLY like the photo of the Shrike! Just comes together for me! đ đ The colors/perch/and relaxed bird “work”… “Get it” on having your routine disrupted BUT don’t need it disrupted BIG time with vehicle maintenance that is too long deferred either…. đ Wind howling again already – as you know, we are no stranger to wind but this and resulting blowing dust is incredible/ridiculous! đ
Judy, yesterday I saw a photo of blowing MT dirt on Facebook. Brought back very unpleasant memories, including chasing down my mom’s wash that had blown off the clothesline on the farm when I was a kid. Mom was in tears – she hated that wind!.
I really like this photo and glad you kept the dried sunflowers. Makes for a very well rounded out vertical photo. Very pleasing to the eye – at least mine. I just recently had a similar experience with a Shrike here. He was perfectly situated to the sun to get that catch-eye and posed for me for what seemed to be forever. I just kept taking shots until I finally got bored and moved on. I was really surprised at his relaxed manner as I am sure you were with yours. Well, you took care of long neglected maintenance on yourself, and now it is time for the pickup. After that you and the pickup will be ready for spring and the long summer ahead. Interesting how that one stem looks like it was driven through his stomach and out the other side. đ
“Well, you took care of long neglected maintenance on yourself, and now it is time for the pickup”
That’s an excellent way to look at it, Everett. I’ll just have to get through it and quit whining about it. Thanks for helping me with an attitude adjustment. đ
A very pleasant surprise! I was delighted to see the vertical crop…(by now you probably know they are my preference.) Love the shrike, the background, lighting, colors and the dried flowers. This is near perfection. đ
Good. As you can tell I was a little hesitant about posting this one. Thanks, Kathy.