Malheur Memories #1 and Repost

Gallery: AvianPosted January 23, 2016141 views6 comments

Yellow-headed Blackbird

In light of the criminal occupation of Malheur NWR, I thought I would post a few photos as a tribute to the crown jewel of Oregon birding. It is ironic that these criminals, who want to turn federal land over to "the people", chose a place that is already owned by "the people", and can be enjoyed by everyone, at anytime, free of charge.

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 23, 2016 at 4:39 PM

Lovely image, Allen. I haven't encountered a yellow-headed blackbird colony there yet-don't know how I've missed it. You might back off on the brightness just a tiny bit-the bird is starting to look a bit closer to brown than black on my monitor.

Hopefully things will be returned to normal there soon. If they hang on until birding season, they're in for a surprise as I really doubt they realize how many people use that refuge.

devil

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

Comment posted by David Schoen on January 23, 2016 at 6:42 PM

I'd never seen a Yellow headed Blackbird until I went to Malheur NWR. It is truly an amazing place. The colors in you image are very nice and I like the pose.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 23, 2016 at 8:39 PM

Thanks for posting something from the Refuge. I've never been there but have always hoped to get a chance some day to visit. I hope the criminals haven't destroyed it be the time they get evicted.

I've never seen a Yellow-headed Blackbird in a setting like this; my experience of them is in mostly open grasses around ponds. That makes for added interest.

I'd crop from the top to eliminate the white flowers. I'd also eliminate the yellow-green color cast - simply add a level layer and use the mid tone eyedropper on the belly of the blackbird.

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on January 24, 2016 at 9:30 AM

Love this image. Such a beautiful bird. Really like the background which frames the bird nicely. To me, it seems a bit oversaturated. I would dial it back just a bit. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on January 24, 2016 at 1:36 PM

I appreciate the comments and as usual they are helpful.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Josiah Launstein on January 24, 2016 at 11:37 PM

I really like the colours in this whole picture. Out of all of the colours the YELLOW HEADED BLACKBIRD really stands out.

Registered on January 26, 2013, 52 Posts, 126 Comments