As common as they are I always enjoy photographing Brewer’s Blackbirds – the male for his iridescence and interesting displays and the female for her subtle beauty.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this male five days ago along the causeway to Antelope Island as he displayed for other nearby blackbirds. The species has also been known as the “Glossy Blackbird” or “Satin Bird” for the blue-green and violet iridescence of the sunlit male in combination with its piercing yellow eyes.
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This is a female that I photographed a couple of weeks earlier (the same bird that I posted on 4/17), also along the causeway. I almost didn’t have the shutter speed I needed as the sun rose to get her relatively sharp as she took off. The sexual dimorphism of the species is quite apparent, in both plumage and eye color.
This post is rather brief (for me) because I have to be on the road soon after 5 this morning. Another photographic adventure looms and this time the intended subject has no feathers – unless you believe an old saying that originated with a 1930s Marx Brothers movie. My father used that saying often…
How’s that for being vague?
Ron
Beautiful photos!
The male reminds me of the posturing of the red-winged blackbird. I took a shot of one with yellow eyes-it may be this one!Will get a peek at my field guides.
I’VE GOT IT!!! Instead of a BIRD with feathers, you”ve been shooting Pegasus…a HORSE with feathers!!! (Do I get a prize?)…..
Sorry, Patty – no prize. I said my subject has no feathers and Pegasus had feathers. But then you’re always a prize-winner with me!
Just got home and I’m pooped. It’s been a long and glorious day but I need a nap!
It certainly wasn’t my intention to be mean with my vague hint about what I’d be shooting today so I’ll break the suspense here and now.
The name of the 1932 Marx Brothers movie was “Horse Feathers”…
Love the blackbirds – and echo Patty (both of our rescue cats are black). You are being decidedly mean, nasty and just plain vicious.
I love the shot of the male with his beautiful black feathers.
And I’m afraid I don’t get the reference to the 1930s Marx quote, but I spent a minute googling to try and figure it out. Any more hints? 🙂
Kelli
OK!!! So I can’t read. It’s “SATIN bird” , not “satan’s bird”….good thing I revisited and reread. However, my rant still stands…(I haven’t had a good rant in a while and needed one). The “MEAN” comment definitely still stands. Female’s subtle, soft, sleek colors are beautiful. Their colors are so different, they look like different species.
Beautiful Ron!
Charlotte
That’s not “vague”, it’s downright MEAN! …….”Satan’s Bird” ? What BS! How about “Topaz-eyed Velvet Blackbird”? Can’t understand this ignorant hang up on black creatures…cats, dogs, etc. Black IS beautiful. It’s so bad that black dogs don’t even stand a very good chance of being adopted and are “put down” (murdered) n higher numbers!!! Makes my heart break!
A nice pairing of portraits Ron . The light on the female is beautiful and catches the subtle iridescence in her plumage as well.