Boat-tailed grackle

Gallery: AvianPosted April 1, 2010231 views25 comments

On this trip I went out with a specific goal in mind. To try and do what some other photographers here on NPN do so well, and that is make common species look uncommonly good. Namely, Mia and Ron D who, IMO are so very good at doing just that. Now I am not sure I made it to the top shelf with this shot, but I do like it. I like the light, the bird's position, and the BG. This was in no way a set up. No feeder, no setup perch, etc. Just a free flying grackle in late evening light. I find these birds to be a very difficult exposure and overall flight shot subject. So tough to get good details in the plumage and light in the eye and no shooting at 1/4000s with these guys, just too dark colored for that. Thanks so much for looking and providing your comments. Please view the larger image as the details are much better.

Canon 7D
500mm f/4
ISO 320
f/5.6
1/1000s
Manual exp.
HH
62% of FF

Comments

25 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on April 1, 2010 at 10:36 PM

Well since you aren't sure it's top shelf, I'll stick my nose out there and say it is. Stopped the action and got all the colors with a beautiful background. You've succeeded in your goal. I'd like a little more room in the front though

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on April 1, 2010 at 10:39 PM

I kept this a tight comp to maximize the detail, especially in the head and given the bird is looking down toward the LRHC I felt this comp worked.

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

Comment posted by Kirk Greene on April 1, 2010 at 10:41 PM

Mission accomplished IMO. This is top shelf and the larger image shows off all the reasons why! Well done

Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on April 1, 2010 at 10:48 PM

Top shelf!!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on April 1, 2010 at 11:13 PM

Too modest!
One of the best if not the best on a very good day.

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 1, 2010 at 11:15 PM

Excellent, Ron. I like all the detail, but you might leave a bit more room all around. A wonderful job on the exposure and the angle of the light brought out the iridescence beautifully.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 1, 2010 at 11:22 PM

Ron, it doesn't get much better than this!
Perfect expoure, good colors, and great BG.
I'm not too fond of the close crop, thpugh..

sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on April 1, 2010 at 11:41 PM

Ron, this is excellent. You did a great job here. The colours and BG are excellent

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on April 2, 2010 at 12:38 AM

Spectacular, Ron. Absolutely spectacular. Wonderful detail in the blacks, nice iridescence. wonderful view of the tail and eye. Great flight pose.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on April 2, 2010 at 1:59 AM

You hit your goal out of the park. You made anyone viewing this have a greater appreciation for a common species. Excellent all around.

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on April 2, 2010 at 4:50 AM

My congrats on reaching the top shelf ! Great details especially in blacks, sharpness and tail fan !
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on April 2, 2010 at 7:22 AM

Grteat shot Ron - I admire anyone who can capture birds in flight like this. Possibly a fraction more room in front?

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on April 2, 2010 at 9:02 AM

Ron,

This is outstanding! You captured the iridescence beautifully, have great eye contact, a super background and flight pose. That fanned out tail simply delights me. I like the intimacy of the comp, the sharpness, detail and the light. The larger version is a real treat to view, thanks so much for providing it.

Your exposure of this challenging species looks wonderful, I would love to have this image in my files. Yeah, this is top shelf!

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Reza Gorji on April 2, 2010 at 4:04 PM

These are some of the more difficult birds to get the exposure correct. Especially when the background is lighter it become a real challenge. Your picture is very well done. You should be happy.

Registered on April 2, 2010, 0 Posts, 2 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on April 2, 2010 at 4:51 PM

If this isn't top shelf, then my stuff must be in the cellar! great shot Ron! Love everything about it.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 2, 2010 at 7:11 PM

Killer photo Ron

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 2, 2010 at 8:55 PM

I'd like more detail in the darkest parts. I'd also like this to be my image.

What you've got here is remarkable MO. I can't image even trying this with a great-tail here.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on April 2, 2010 at 9:23 PM

Sure looks like top shelf to me, Ron. At 1/1000 s you were able to very successfully freeze the motion and obtain exposure that reveals the detail extremely well. You even managed to capture a catchlight in the eye.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Joe Paratore on April 3, 2010 at 7:01 AM

Very top shelf.... Ron your goal was fulfilled nicely.
The BG is sweet and you handled the exposure very well.
Great shot You guys are killing me with all this fantastic BIF shots.
I never get tried of seeing them. I need to get off the perch and into sky

Registered on January 31, 2007, 40 Posts, 160 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on April 3, 2010 at 8:32 AM

Wonderful flight shot. Great detail in the wings. Mission accomplished.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on April 3, 2010 at 8:44 AM

This is just wonderful Ron! Nice light and detail on nearly the whole bird which is a huge challenge with grackles even when they're perched. I really like the flight posture which shows so much of the wing and tail and I think that slight head turn toward you is just perfect. The iridescence is a plus and I love the OOF background and the colors and patterns there. My preference would be for slightly more room on the right but that most certainly is not a nit, just an observation of my personal tastes. Simply excellent!

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

Comment posted by Bob McQuade on April 3, 2010 at 12:12 PM

I believe you accomplished your goal. Nice BG, sharp subject, nice eye catchlight, very nice.