Red-winged Blackbird

Gallery: AvianPosted November 27, 2012288 views6 comments

This male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), RWBB, was photographed in June 2011: I found the files now when cleaning up my HDD.

These are common birds, but I like photographing them, and also the Yellow-headed Blackbirds and the Grackles at one of my favorite locations: Telford Lake in Leduc, Alberta. I'm looking forward to the spring when they are coming back.

Canon 7D, Sigma 150-500 at 500 mm, f/11, ISO 800, 1/1000 sec, HH, PP in LR4 and cropped to 70 %.

Thanks for looking. C & Cs are always welcome. Roger.

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on November 28, 2012 at 10:32 AM

I also like to photograph these birds because of the black/red contrast. They may be common but getting a good picture of one is another item. It may help to tone down the bright background just a little but I do like the pose with the tail feathers spread out, nice job in getting this shot.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 28, 2012 at 1:24 PM

A really nice pose Roger. I too would tone down the brightest area of the BG. Also the head area could use a bit more sharpening. Love these birds. I need to spend more time with them myself. Thanks for reminding me with your great shot.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 28, 2012 at 7:25 PM

Great tail spread and eye contact, Roger. I agree that much of the background is a bit bright.

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

Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on November 28, 2012 at 10:14 PM

I like photographing these birds too. I love the pose with the spread out tail feathers and the open beak. Very nicely done!

Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Schiebelbein on November 30, 2012 at 12:30 AM

I always find getting the exposure on these guys tough. I think you got it just right on the bird but agree with others that the BG could be toned down just a bit. Nice pose and composition.

Registered on November 8, 2008, 55 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on December 9, 2012 at 12:50 PM

Thanks all. And I agree with the BG being to bright - didn't notice it when processing. Must have been blinded by it. I toned it down, and the image looks much better.

Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments