A war of wills between bird and photographer.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Four days ago I spent far too much time trying to get takeoff/flight shots of this male Red-winged Blackbird. It should have been much easier than it was. He was feeding on the seeds of a large patch of sunflowers and he repeatedly took off to land on another nearby sunflower, which gave me several dozen chances for takeoff and flight shots.
But time and time again he launched with his back to me or his head turned away, which completely stymied my efforts to get an acceptable shot of the type I was after. After a while I couldn’t help but think he was doing it on purpose.
I was beginning to take it personally. So eventually my ‘stubborn’ kicked in and I told myself I wasn’t going to quit trying until I succeeded or the bird flew off with a full belly. And I stuck to my guns.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
It was probably more trouble than it was worth but I finally got my shot, with no time to spare. In this photo, rather than flying to another nearby sunflower, he’s flying off to Timbuktu or someplace similar. So this was the last chance I had to catch him in flight.
I’m just small enough to consider it a personal victory over a mean-spirited adversary.
Ron
Winged elegance…..
Another “Wow” photograph with a generous helping of giggles. This fellow is so handsome and you’ve captured his take off beautifully. Your persistence is definitely appreciated. Thank you Ron.
You definitely showed him! Your sticktoitiveness paid off big time! Gotta be the Taurus ♉️ in you (and me!). 😉 I’m also imagining your “creative” use of vocabulary during this escapade.😈
Marty, this time I might have forgotten to cuss. I guess I was concentrating too hard. Not like me…
You’re slipping, Ron. 😉😂❤️
It was a one-time deal, I promise.
There may be a B-movie here – “Bird vs Man”! I’m hearing the dialogue and soundtrack very clearly.🤣
Carolyn, if you’re hearing the dialogue your ears are burning… 🙂
As a person who is also more stubborn than stains (to cut off the nose to spite my face levels) I applaud. Loudly.
Sounds like we’re two of a kind, EC.
Ron,
Great shot (that goes without saying on your blog). Although the wing tip is cut off by the plant the horizontal lines of his back and the determined look on his face are very appealing to me.
Best,
Stephen
Good to know. Thanks, Stephen.
I know exactly what you mean. Well done!
“I know exactly what you mean.”
I suspect most bird photographers do. Thanks, Burrdoo.
You got it with the wing – way to go. On a wing and a prayer.
We have them all over here, but in the spring before they mate we get huge flocks of them flying together. All winter they stay separate with flocks of females and flocks of males.
Thanks, Everett. I see them in large flocks in the fall more often than in the spring.
Great laugh over this, Ron! 🙂 I’m all too familiar with having a stubborn streak and having, over time, figured out when it’s in my best interests to “stuff it”….. 😉 Grateful for your “persistance” and the results! Beautiful shot of the Red-winged Blackbird. They ARE a beautiful bird even if a real PITA when they mob the feeders – caged feeder HAS taken care of that…
“Great laugh over this, Ron! ”
Good to know you saw some humor in it, Judy.
I’m always concerned that someone out there won’t realize the “tongue in cheek” aspect of a post like this and take me to task for picking on the poor bird. Some folks just don’t have a sense of humor.
That said, I really was beginning to take the bird’s lack of cooperation personally. And that’s what woke up my stubborn streak.
Nice. You really managed to get that wing color, eye catchlight, and all. This fellow obviously did not know who he was dealing with.
Funny how sometimes things like this can seem so personal.
Getting the shot is one thing. Then there is the satisfaction that comes with having ones drive and determination (or sheer stubbornness?) bring a win.
“the satisfaction that comes with having ones drive and determination (or sheer stubbornness?) bring a win.”
Michael, in my case it’s definitely stubbornness. When I was a kid my mother and I were all too often at loggerheads and Dad used to say it was because we were both too stubborn and too much alike. I’m still that way, although I have learned to temper it when I absolutely need to. With the blackbird I didn’t need to.
Well, it’s a beautiful shot–especially of the striking epaulet–I don’t
think I’ve ever seen that stunning marking so clearly–glad you got the satisfaction !
I agree, Kris. The colorful epaulet makes a big positive difference for the shot.