If I ever thought a bird looked happy this guy is it. It’s far from a high quality photo but it lifts my spirits.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Two days ago in the mountains this Gray Catbird wasn’t in position for great photos from the get-go. ‘He’ was facing away from me, there was a long and very distracting branch directly above his back and there was another out of focus branch in the upper left corner of the frame which I’ve removed from this image. But I took a few photos anyway and hoped to get lucky with a takeoff shot which was highly unlikely because he had his back to me.
But he fooled me by turning quickly and taking off to my left as he was calling which resulted in an unusual pre-takeoff posture that tickles my funny bone. The photo has an additional strike against it because I jerked my lens when he turned so quickly and unexpectedly (a rookie mistake) so the bird is a little soft despite some extra sharpening during processing.
He looks like he’s having fun and to me it’s contagious, despite the likelihood that the source of his apparent entertainment was probably that he thought he’d ruined my shot by turning so quickly on the perch and taking off in an unexpected direction.
I’m only kidding of course, the catbird was almost certainly oblivious to all that. But I’ll always think of him as ‘Happy Bird’ and this morning in particular I appreciated an extra dose of happy.
Ron
Thank you.
Big (and necessary) smiles at the bird and at the comments.
Thank you and all that sail in this ship.
Thanks, EC.
From all the comments I’d say this could be called a “Rorschach” pose.
My own guesses:
-Constipated
-About to hack up a pellet
-You lookin’ at me? Here, take a picture.
I wouldn’t bet against any of them Lyle.
This is definitely one way to “flip you the bird.” 😉
His head looks like it’s cocked a little to the right as well, which tickles my funny bone. 😀
“This is definitely one way to “flip you the bird.”
That pose is probably about as close to a middle digit as he can manage. Coming from him I’ll take it in good humor…
He looks like he is saying “Ha”‘, silly photographer”.
And he’d probably be right.
He’s definitely punking you. 😀
Successfully too…
Yep, that looks like a “Gotcha” shot! LOL! I’ve found (believe) that birds and critters have big senses of humor, although I also maintain that there’s very little sport in fooling humans. We’re SO easy. But like you said, “we can’t be picky–especially these days.” That goes for birds/critters. too.
That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it 😉
“We’re SO easy”
I’m not sure all of us are but this bird photographer sure is!
Ron, I really like this photo. Sharp enough and his shades of grey matched against that beautiful sky and the silvery grey branch just really come together in a very appealing way. Perfection would have been if that other branch had not been there.
And yes, I think he is a happy bird.
Thanks, Everett. ‘Happy’ works for me although some folks might call me out for being anthropomorphic.
Forced me to look that one up Ron 🙂 Have two younger brothers who were English majors, but not me. Have to admit anthropomorphic is not in my everyday vocabulary.
If you’re blogging about birds it becomes part of your lexicon…
Another reason I love your blog… the introduction of a new bird I’ve never heard of 😁 Thanks ❗️
So excited to have found the family of Great horned owls the other day. Those little boogers are hard to spot ❗️ A secert I’m keeping to myself 😜
Enjoy your day.
“A secert I’m keeping to myself”
Good. Almost reliably “disclosed owls” eventually become disturbed owls.
Keeps you on your toes! 🙂 Love the photo anyway – posture and talking…. 🙂 I love their charcoal coloring!
Black Headed Grosbeak, Gold Finches, Swallows, Spotted Towhee’s all showing up here……..YES! 🙂
See the crowds entering Yellowstone from WY are paying to attention to “precautions” regarding Covid and THEN the first fool of the season got knocked over by a Bison!……….. 🙁
Thanks, Judy. Yes, the Yellowstone Circus continues. Which is a big part of the reason I avoid that place, even though I often camp in that general vicinity.
“Ha! Fooled you!” Love the humped back pose…almost looks like he is going to be propelled or spring bounced. Yes a dose of mirth is always welcome. Last evening I sat for a while listening and watching marsh wrens…so funning how they pop up unexpectedly and fly off, hovering like little helicopters and settling in a different spot. Joy is where we find it! 😊
“Joy is where we find it!”
Exactly, Kathy. We can’t be picky – especially these days.