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Caution Graphic Content
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Caution Graphic Content

by Angela McCain

Gallery: AvianPosted January 22, 2011215 views16 comments
Sugar Land Tx. Jan 12, 2011 Loggerhead Shrike

D3 ISO 500. 300/2.8 with 2x tc. f5.6 1/640. Cloudy day. Natural Light. Handheld from car window.

This image is full of defects-too busy background, limbs crossing in front of bird-both in and out of focus. But I have only caught these birds eating large insects before. I thought that seeing the face and teeth on this rodent (vole?) was very interesting-if a bit graphic. He had impaled it on a limb and was pulling at it. Later he swallowed what was left whole (and it was a lot!). It was clear he thought I was going to try and steal it. I may post that one later.

Comments

16 comments
Comment posted by Gary Gulash on January 22, 2011 at 12:37 AM
Cool photo and bird Angela. I think it would be unlikely to be able to photograph their impaled prey in a setting without a few twigs, very "real" image. Great detail on the vole and the head and talons of the Shrike. Nice work also nailing the exposure with the bright sky in the background. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 22, 2011 at 4:32 AM
Great behavioral shot Angela in light of your nits. You've exposed real well and the detail is terrific-well, maybe not so for the timid. :eek:
Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments
Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on January 22, 2011 at 5:01 AM
:eek: Yeow! Very bad day for that little rodent… Masterful capture with great exposure and detail. Impressive skills with hand holding that lens. I use the same lens array and find it difficult to steady when hand holding. I usually have to drape a bean bag over the window... Great job, Angela!
Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 22, 2011 at 6:31 AM
Bit cluttered but great detail and behaviour Angela

cheers
Rob
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Moore on January 22, 2011 at 8:21 AM
We will gladly suffer the "defects". IMO one of the best in the last week.
Dan
Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 22, 2011 at 8:46 AM
Forget the branches, too busy examining this birds table manners!! :wink:
Yes the content is graphic, but it holds the viewer mesmerized..
Awesome shot in my humble opinion. With some creative patchwork/cloning, color replacement, and/or brush work across its breast, you might be able to minimize most of the stuff in the way..

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 22, 2011 at 9:31 AM
Cool shot of nature happening Angela. I too have not seen these birds with anything but insects. Neat to see this and well captured.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 22, 2011 at 10:25 AM
VERY cool shot! I'm wondering...did he catch this rodent or was it perhaps left by another?? Your detail and the scene surely make up for the bg! Sharon
Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 22, 2011 at 10:29 AM
Well worth taking and posting - the branches aren't an issue with such unique content.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 22, 2011 at 11:04 AM
wow, Angela--very cool. great behavior and details. branches are not significant to me on a shot like this. well done. :toast:
Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments
Comment posted by Dottie Short on January 22, 2011 at 1:29 PM
Angela, when one has an image as dramatic as this image is, then I don't notice the defects. This photograph tells a story of survival. The head of the shrike is in nice focus, and the catch light in the eye brings attention to the bird first. Then the eye moves on to lunch! Very nice shot. I glad you posted it.
Registered on April 12, 2010, 61 Posts, 375 Comments
Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 22, 2011 at 2:52 PM
Angela, I like this as posted despite the issues you noted, the behavior is great. Very nice work on the exposure, catching the bill open with the tongue showing plus what appears to be some of the prey's fur.
Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments
Comment posted by Terry Sohl on January 22, 2011 at 2:53 PM
Yummy! Certainly tells a great story, especially with open beak, bit of meat on his bill, and the visible nose of the vole. Nice detail as well, really nicely captured. :toast:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 23, 2011 at 1:11 PM
Excellent behavioral image, Angela. Your focus and exposure are spot on. The main subjects stand out well from the bg, even though it's busy. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Sally King on January 23, 2011 at 4:40 PM
So gross but so cool. Love that pink tongue. I would love to see and/or capture an image like this.
Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 23, 2011 at 10:50 PM
Hi Angela :wavey: Wonderfuly seen and crafted. :eek: That look on the bird , and the bit of flying flesh , makes me forget the branches!. superb exposure , detail. and mood. :toast:
Albert Darmo, Canada
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments