A fun ‘first bird’ on my trip to Bear River MBR two days ago. In some ways he turned out to be my best bird of the day.
1/2000, f/6.3, 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
I love photographing birds so close to sunrise. The light is warm and beautiful, annoying shadows tend to be minimized, it’s much easier to get catch lights in the eyes of my subjects and birds tend to be most active at that time of day. And in springtime, at a place like the refuge, I’m being serenaded by birds as I ‘work’ – often with coffee and chocolate donut within reach. For me it doesn’t get much better than that.
I found this male Yellow-headed Blackbird putting on quite a performance and he even allowed me a close approach.
1/2000, f/6.3, 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
The physical contortions these blackbirds go through while they’re displaying are probably more extreme than any other bird I photograph, although in some ways Sage Grouse on the lek can give them a run for their money. I won’t include photos of this bird’s most convoluted poses because his head tended to be thrown back at such exaggerated angles I usually had no light on his face or in his eye.
I like this photo in part because I love the pose and most of his dorsal surfaces are exposed to the light, providing excellent detail in those photon-sucking blacks.
1/2500, f/6.3, 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
When he eventually turned on his perch the same thing happened with his ventral blacks, although to a lesser degree with his left wing. .
1/2500, f/6.3, 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
He raised his wings vertically just prior to taking off which put his left wingtip uncomfortably close to the top of the frame. At least I didn’t clip anything.
After getting my primary birding camera and lens back from the shop (Canon Factory Repair) I’m really enjoying getting sharp shots again. Most photos that should be sharp, are sharp, although in some situations I continue to get a few photos that are softer than I think they should be.
Evaluating my repaired lens and camera is still a work in progress but so far I’m encouraged. Mostly.
Ron
These are great – wish we had this species here. Nothing against Red-wings, but it is easier to see the difference between the sexes with Yellow-headed Blackbirds than with Red-winged Blackbirds.
Many thanks!
The colors of the bird’s head and neckerchief look like the sun itself. Gorgeous bird and such interesting poses. As always, Ron, many thanks.
Much appreciated, Nina.
That first shot is so lovely. It really shows off how the colors slide into one another.
You’re right, it does. Thanks, Arwen.
What a showy beauty. And a morning and mood brightener. Many thanks.
Thank you, EC.
Fabulous, thank you.
Thanks, Kathryn.
As a bright & beautiful adult Hooded Oriole chirps happily away at the jelly feeder in my yard, I’m comparing his colors & markings to your Yellow-Headed Blackbird … birds of a feather but so different! I do like all your shots of this handsome fellow, but the middle one is my favorite, the way the light plays on his head & face, his beautiful black fan of a tail. I do think, however, his wings look especially short, because of the way they are folded or perhaps he has his “shoulder blades” squeezed in back!
Chris, your comment reminded me that I’ve yet to see any Bullock’s Orioles this year. Hopefully it won’t be long.
They are all beautiful. I love watching and listening to their scratchy call, they make me smile.
I am still making due with my camera but it is failing more, so, soon I will be forced to send it in.
Maybe the sooner the better, April. Just sayin…
Yellowheads are one of my favorites. There is nothing quite like that yellow beacon sitting atop the cattails. I even enjoy their call since I see them infrequently enough for it not to wear thin.
Dan, it was fun to hear them calling on the morning I took these photos so for me it hasn’t worn thin yet.
My gosh, those are stunning!
Thank you, Kent.
Here’s a random thought for a Saturday morning after having been awake all night and if it keeps coming back to y’all, I’ll apologize in advance 😉
Have you ever wondered what the avian equivalent of a human male’s really bad (obnoxious) pickup line would be? LOL! That stray thought occurred to me with yesterday’s grebe who was left alone with grasses in his beak!
OK, now that I’ve ruined your springtime thought processes forever, what a GORGEOUS collection of images. The yellow-headed blackbirds are among my favorites, and yes, I’m VERY easy with that list 😉
Ha, based on my lack of results back in the day I’m afraid I’m not very good at coming up with pick-up lines, Laura.
Those are some nice poses you captured. I wish I looked that good so early in the morning.
Sounds like an ideal shooting setup, Have camera/coffee/donut will travel.
Judging from these photos, I’d say your lens is working superbly
Thanks, Lyle. Most of my shots that morning were sharp but I did have a few that were softer than expected. Hoping it was just heat waves or something similar…
I think the factory repair was a definite success and combine that with the early morning skills of the guy with the chocolate donut and a cup of hot coffee and you have a winner.
What a beautiful set. The colors are wonderful and the Blackbird cooperated with those outstanding poses. All super photos, but I think one and three are my favorites.
Thanks, Everett. I probably prefer the second shot but I like them all.
He is surely beautiful, as are your captures ! Did you spot any females nearby
or is this a territorial display ?
Thanks, Kris. I did get some pretty nice photos of a female that morning. I’ll probably post a couple of them sometime soon.
A contortionist indeed! 🙂 The are beautiful to look at even if their “song” leaves something to be desired. 😉 The light really showed off his colors……
Judy, most of the time I tend to be quite tolerant of their “singing”, even enjoying it this time of year. But I’ll admit to growing a little weary of it as the season wears on.
I feel the same way about the incessant calls of young Western and Clark’s Grebes as they beg for food for many weeks on end. Eventually it becomes more than a little irritating.
Delightful, Ron! I’ve never seen a yellow headed blackbird before. Many thanks from the East Coast…
By the way, recently, I have seen a copy of my reply appear in the space where I will be leaving my name. A new glitch?
“A new glitch?”
I don’t know, Alison – what you describe is new to me and I don’t see it on my end. Please let me know if it continues.