Scott's Oriole

Gallery: AvianPosted July 3, 201151 views7 comments

This is a species I have been after for months, and is probably my number one target for the summer season. I had quite a few outings where I couldn't get close to one, then another one or two where I was too slow on the shutter. So even though this guy isn't in the finest plumage I've seen on a male, I was still more than thrilled to get some shots of him this morning.

Dripping water, oranges, and watermelon were used as bait, and I set up near some large agave stalks which they like along with this beetle-killed pinyon that served as the perch.

I appreciate your comments and critiques. Please view the larger version if possible.

Canon 7D, 500mm + 1.4x TC, tripod, camo cloth

f/7.1, 1/400, ISO 400

Crop to 63% (11.3 of 18MP)

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Binda on July 4, 2011 at 1:07 AM

congrats on this catch of the day Brian, you worked hard for it. A first timer for me.

cheers, Dennis

Registered on September 8, 2007, 56 Posts, 326 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on July 4, 2011 at 9:39 AM

Really like the background here Brian and congratulations on finally getting one of these birds, less than stellar plumage or not. I might back off on the sharpening just a bit or remove some of the brights (esp in wing primaries) from the sharpening mask and see how that looks but maybe that's just me.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 4, 2011 at 12:06 PM

I"d be happy with this shot and this plumage as well - I have nothing on this species.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on July 4, 2011 at 5:44 PM

Congrats on finally getting a nice shot of the Scott's. I like the brown BG for the yellow and black oriole.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on July 4, 2011 at 7:24 PM

Happy for you on the photo op and I think you got him good. Nice and sharp

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 5, 2011 at 12:02 AM

Excellent detail, Brian. He does look like he's had a hard summer already, but it just gives him some character.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on July 6, 2011 at 12:40 PM

I have never seen one of these, nice background, perch and pose with good directional light. The oriole does look a little weathered but it may have traveled a long distance to reach your area, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments