Birds, like people, don’t always look their best. This catbird is a prime example.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 400mm, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday morning in the mountains two Gray Catbirds came in close to my pickup to forage for food on and near the ground. Both birds had a severe case of ‘the molts’ so they were pretty scraggly looking.
They were often too close for my big prime lens so I switched to my smaller zoom. This is the second photo in a burst after this bird took off. I didn’t like the first shot very much but I think this one has its strengths.
Yes, the setting is cluttered but I think it’s mostly an attractive or at least interesting clutter and I did catch the bird in a relatively open spot amongst all the twigs and leaves. I like the morning light, the wing position and the glimpse of the chestnut undertail that is so often hidden from view. I was pleased to get the bird sharp enough with so many of the leaves this close to the bird.
‘He’ may not be pretty but none of us look our best all of the time. Hell, you oughta see me as I type this at 5 AM.
Ron
Great shot! It’s hard to get an uncluttered photo of a skulky Gray Catbird. I kind of like the scraggly moulting look.
Well captured with great detail. Interesting bend to the tail.
Outstanding flight shot Ron!
Even in moult he looks better than I do on a good day – at any time.
I am very grateful to see his dishevelled self this morning – thank you.
You’re very welcome, EC. And I think you’re stretching the truth more than a little in your first sentence.
Nice Shot Ron! And I agree that the focus does not always work out, so a bit of luck is always nice. The way I see it, we make our own luck by using the best set up for the situation and putting yourself in the best position to get “the shot”. Too bad you could not use your prime, but the 100-400 performed quite well. It’s a keeper.
That’s right Adam, you just have to play the odds but if you know what you’re doing you can definitely better your chances.
He just molted his feathers and he can’t do a thing with them. 😉
Yup.
Having never seen one of these birds, I had to go to my iBird app to get a better idea of it. And listened to its call—catbird, indeed! So although not the most gorgeous of birds even on a good day, I do like this guy’s look, his dark cap, that flash of chestnut/bronze undertail and the light in his dark eye! I also really like the background, the colors and the natural elements are a nice complement to this dark fellow.
Thanks, Chris. Catbirds are vocal mimics so they have quite a variety of calls.
I am still laughing at my mental image of you at 5am, Ron!! I love the catbird. They are so reclusive that getting this wonderful photo is a real coup! And the chestnut undertail feathers are a delightful plus. Thank you for the super photo and my morning giggle!
“I am still laughing at my mental image of you at 5am, Ron!! ”
Believe me, Melanie – it isn’t a pretty sight, especially before I’ve had at least one cup of coffee. But even the coffee doesn’t help a lot.
I am not a pretty sight in the morning either but at 5am I am usually still fast asleep! And ditto on at least one cup of coffee although it takes a shower and some primping for me to look presentable! Guess it is a good thing we don’t share a breakfast table. We might lose our appetites! LOL!
I have a catbird that visits my yard. My husband thinks I’m insane because I whistle the same thing to him or her every time. I am hoping to hear my whistle back someday.
Let us know if he does, Arwen!
Catbirds are just lovely critters! And what a splendid in-flight image!
Yes, we ALL have bad feather/fur/hair days. Birds and furry critters recover from those days pretty quickly–often the next day. We humans, however, are generally stuck with them throughout our lives. While we all molt, birds and furry critters get back to their beautiful majesty with their new set of feathers/fur. Humans, not so much. Another reason feathers are really cool and hair is NOT! 😉
“Another reason feathers are really cool and hair is NOT!”
Well, that’s a damn good thing given my lack of hair, Laura!
Really do like this photo. This is the first time that I’ve seen the rufous backside at this angle and I find it darn attractive! I’ve caught it at other angles but this really catches my eye. Also three of those wing feathers just have a look of ‘leather’ to them with that soft patina…beautiful. The fan of the tail is so unique in this photo! 😍 I find the heaviness of the background really sets him off. I could go on but I think you get the idea…just love this capture!
Good. I’m glad you like it so much. Thanks, Kathy.
Fantastic! I love it – the busy background works in this photo – shows the environment,
Thank you, Joanne.
Who knew scraggly could be so strikingly gorgeous? Your photo impresses me in several ways: rich colors – the tail is revelatory; frozen in flight with perfect detail; a three dimensional quality; and, of course, the eye catch. Yep, straggly works.
Agreed: a selfie at this hour is not recommended.
“Straggly works”. I’m glad you think so, Lyle. I agree.
Early on in my bird photography I’d often not even aim my lens at severely molting birds because they looked so rough around the edges. Shame on me.
But as you say, I sure as hell don’t want a camera pointed at me at this hour.
Pretty bird even if disheveled – my “tag along” in the yard seems to be busy with other things of late tho still hear it/them……… 🙂 Love their colors even if they aren’t “dramatic”…….wonderful capture! 🙂
Thanks, Judy. I’d love to have a ‘tag along’ catbird in my yard.
He is a straggly looking guy, but handsome nevertheless. Great in flight photo and as you say, really sharp considering the closeness of all those leaves. Didn’t know they have that brown coloring close to their tail feathers. Do not think I have ever seen a Gray Catbird.
Everett, before I started photographing birds I had no idea catbirds existed, even though they’re fairly common around here and in areas of Montana where I grew up.
I just wasn’t paying close enough attention.
BIF specially this size is a challenge so I would consider this a keeper. I’m impressed as to the 7D2’s ability to keep the focus on the head versus the closer left wing, and i’m curious how many in the burst are in focus. May i ask what type of focus points you use for this type of shots? Thank you.
Elmer, I nearly always use a single focus point for these types of shots.
However in this case I think that’s pretty much irrelevant. In situations like this, where the bird was facing directly to my left and that was likely the direction he’d take off, I focused on him while he was perched and then took my finger off of the focusing button (I use back button AF). I was counting on him taking off to my left in the same plane as he was perched so I wouldn’t need to keep my focus point active.
If I’d kept my focus point active it was very likely it would grab onto the vegetation rather than stay with the bird.
This time it worked out. It doesn’t always…
Nice capture! Look at all those new feathers coming in.
I don’t know why my comment posted here! My phone does this sometimes.