Brown-headed Cowbird

Gallery: AvianPosted November 20, 2010373 views13 comments

Molothrus ater

This will never be an award winning image just because of the species that it is. Many people detest cowbirds or wouldn't bother to photograph them, but I do. If it has feathers I'll photograph it.

Taken here in Utah earlier this year, this male was displaying for a female that was nearby. I like the colors in this image a lot.

D200, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 250, 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, +0.3 EV, natural light, not a set up. 49% of the original frame. I've provided the larger 1200 pixel version.

As always, I sincerely appreciate your comments & critiques. Thank you for looking.

PS, I forgot to mention I cloned out three little twig tips at the bottom of the frame that just seemed to be floating out of no where.

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on November 20, 2010 at 10:50 PM

If it has feathers I'll photograph it.

Ha! I know the feeling.

Love the composition and the nice soft background. Good details in the subject. I know most people don't like cowbirds, but photos like this just may change there mind. Nicely done

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on November 21, 2010 at 3:04 AM

Interesting compositon showing both branches, at first I thought a vertical crop with just one bush would be look better but when I look at the larger image, I like seeing both. Good contrast between the background and bird, well done.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 21, 2010 at 4:39 AM

Great colours, could be inland Australia. Like the detail you've managed to bring out Mia.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on November 21, 2010 at 8:09 AM

Love how the BhC is isolated against that super smooth BG, Mia. As for the comp, I'm agreeing with Jim, a portrait crop would work much better and make for a very strong image.

Andy...

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on November 21, 2010 at 12:41 PM

Yes it is not a very popular or attractive bird but you have made it look about as good as possible. Nice job.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on November 21, 2010 at 1:07 PM

Mia,
I like this image as posted. Beautiful pose with the slight open beak, excellent exposure control and great background. Well done.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 21, 2010 at 4:21 PM

A good image to be viewing on this Gloomy Sunday here in AZ. As much as I dislike this species I too will photograph it if the location and light are right.

I like the second branch and think it balances the composition. I'd probably trim a little off the top.

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

Comment posted by Graham Brown on November 22, 2010 at 3:23 AM

I've never seen this species Mia, it looks aggressively attractive to me but there must be a reason why so many dislike it. Our magpie has a similar reputation but is still an attractive bird. I can see why you have chosen this crop and I think a vertical crop would also work. It doesn't look an easy bird to expose for but I can see lovely details and colours in the feathers. Graham

Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 22, 2010 at 8:11 AM

Actually I think cowbirds can be quite an attractive species in the right light Mia - light just like this. I like the ruffled pose, the slightly open beak and your comp works just fine for me - especially because the bird almost seems to be looking at the second branch. I also like the clean background to accentuate the bird and perch. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Sally King on November 22, 2010 at 10:34 AM

I think these birds are gorgeous (the males anyway). People don't like them because of their interesting survival skills in breeding in other birds nests but that doesn't make them physically unattractive. You have captured this one very well. I can't imagine it being done much better.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on November 22, 2010 at 11:32 AM

Hi Mia,
Very nice clean shot with a great background. Isn't human nature funny. If that would have been a Painted Bunting sitting in the exact spot you would have gotten 30+ comments, not just 10. I have many really good Red-winged Blackbird shots that I never posted.

Ronnie

Registered on November 1, 2003, 810 Posts, 3495 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on November 22, 2010 at 1:04 PM

While I agree that very few folks like cowbirds Mia, I love the shinny, almost iridescent bluish green from the breast and flanks which blend well with the BG.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 4, 2011 at 8:16 AM

I like your statement "If it has feathers I'll photograph it".
That could go down as your signature statement, suitable for framing

I've shot my share of the cowbird, a highly under-rated & often maligned bird..
Very nice

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments