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Brown-headed Cowbird
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Brown-headed Cowbird

by Richard Ditch

Gallery: AvianPosted April 9, 20171,017 views3 comments
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)

Place: Phoenix, AZ
Date: April 7, 2017, 4:23 pm
Equipment: Nikon D7200, AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR @ 500mm, G1325, RRS BH-55
Exposure: ISO 800, Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/160th @ f/5.6
Raw, PS CC 2017 on Mac, cropped to 57% of full frame

Continuing my unpopular series of unpopular birds, here's another visitor to our back yard. First time I've seen a cowbird use the water feature.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.
 

Comments

3 comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 9, 2017 at 8:12 PM
Amazing how some birds just don't draw any applause, Richard.  I was wondering about the bath.  I put out a little one with a drip here and have had a cowbird hanging around, but haven't seen it bathe yet.  Superb job on rendering the feather detail of this dark bird without over lightening it.  There's a tendency to make black birds look gray to make the detail show better and it's something I try to resist.  You pulled this off very well.
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by David Schoen on April 9, 2017 at 8:37 PM
It wasn't until I saw your fine job of  the brown color and textures on this Cowbird that I realized how it probably got its name. The water drops are a fine addition.  BTW, I'm happy to send you some European Starlings that have been taking more than their share of suet from my feeders for your unpopular bird collection.
Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments
Comment posted by Barbara Graham on April 10, 2017 at 8:52 PM
Perfect focus, amazing water drops.  I agree with Dennis about the superb detail in the bird. 

Your comment made me laugh out loud.  I had an immediate picture in my head of somebody delivering a whole bunch of popular birds and rare birds for your area right to your back yard.  If they would stay around for a day or two you could really have fun. :)
Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments