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Loggerhead Shrike
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Loggerhead Shrike

by Brian Gatlin

Gallery: AvianPosted April 15, 2010138 views20 comments
Canon 7D, 500mm f/4 +1.4x TC

1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 200

Crop to 64% (11.4 of 18MP)

I shot this one Ron D. style, out my pickup window. I went out this morning hoping for Black-chinned Sparrows (got decent shots), and on my way down the abandoned road, this guy was perched right on the side of the road. Pulled up, rolled down the window, and he stayed put all the while. Too bad things weren't this easy all day--two hours later I buried my truck to the axles in gooey mud on a road that shouldn't have been open yet (and that I should have had better sense than to be on) and spent an hour digging it out.

Good details, a nice perch, wish there was a bit more detail in the mask, but I like it.

Comments

20 comments
Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on April 16, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Great deatil, sharpness, color, etc... No nits from me Brian. Glad you got your truck dug out!
Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 16, 2010 at 1:08 AM
Great detail, pose, and "good enough" BG.

One shot like this in a day MAKES my day, despite what else may have occurred - glad you reclaimed your truck from the mud!

Sandy r
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Gangas on April 16, 2010 at 9:55 AM
You certainly "earned" this image Brian! :smile: Very sharp, great perch and plenty of detail in the mask on the larger version, IMO. :toast:
Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments
Comment posted by Monica Siri on April 16, 2010 at 10:24 AM
Brian,
I like every aspect of this image. Excellent work!
I saw on You Tube The Alan Jackson Country Boy Contest, maybe you wanted to partecipate with your truck? :wink: Glad you didn't come back to home by foot.
Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 16, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Looks good to me Brian, nice detail. I have had a tough time getting close to this species. :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by S Govindarajan on April 16, 2010 at 12:09 PM
Very nice and sharp, Brian! Sweet perch, clean background and nice light. I too wish for a little more detail in the mask - particularly closer to the back. Perhaps you can selectively brighten it?

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments
Comment posted by Robert Bunch on April 16, 2010 at 1:18 PM
Very nice sharpness and detail in this shot. You got a good perch, a clean BG , nice pose and good catchlight. The large version looks especially sweet. That is a wicked looking beak he has!
Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hackley on April 16, 2010 at 1:23 PM
It is always great to see good feather detail (on the larger version). For me it is interesting to notice the difference in feathers between the birds and how each is designed. Well done.
Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments
Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on April 16, 2010 at 2:19 PM
Very nice, Brian. This species can be difficult to approach.
Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments
Comment posted by KC Choo on April 16, 2010 at 5:19 PM
A very nice capture!
Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 16, 2010 at 5:34 PM
I like it as posted.

I too use my car as a blind whenever possible - it definitely helps with many difficult subjects.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Danny Shelton on April 16, 2010 at 9:25 PM
A great shot of a great bird. Well done. :toast:
Registered on October 2, 2007, 14 Posts, 1029 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Balke on April 16, 2010 at 9:28 PM
Lovely detail, Brian. Nice pose. I think the catchlight makes up for the lack of detail in the mask. I think this fine shot was worth the truck trouble. :toast:
Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on April 17, 2010 at 12:53 AM
Nice one Brian - like the detail in the fluffed up flanks, also the typical shrike perch na dposture

cheers
Rob
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Michael Lotito on April 17, 2010 at 9:14 AM
Great detail and exposure! :toast:
Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on April 17, 2010 at 2:49 PM
Sweet shot Brian. Nice and sharp, good light, and a perfect comp.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on April 17, 2010 at 3:42 PM
Great shot and well earned! Sharon
Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments
Comment posted by May Haga on April 17, 2010 at 9:09 PM
Outstanding capture. Like the slightly ruffled feathers.
May
Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Saunders on April 18, 2010 at 2:49 PM
Some great detail on this little fella Brian. It was worth getting the truck muddy for :toast:
Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments
Comment posted by Simon Bennett on April 18, 2010 at 3:31 PM
Excellent detail and pose.
Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments