Sinister Grackle

Gallery: AvianPosted June 27, 20171,989 views9 comments

In the right light, the Common Grackle has beautiful, iridescent plumage. I was hoping to capture that when this bird jumped in the river and then perched in a tree to preen. I could not get close enough for a good BOAS shot, but I thought I might capture some interesting behavior shooting from my canoe. Despite the fact that this is less than 25% of full frame, I thought it would be an interesting portrait shot. For most people, interesting behavior means much more than technical photographic details. I think the pose, wet feathers, and nictitating membrane all make a sinister-looking image.

Canon 7D Mark II; Sigma 150-600C
1/800 sec. @ f/8; ISO 1250
Handheld from canoe
22% of full frame

P.S. I also posted an "enhanced" black and white version of this in the Photo Art Gallery: "Sinister"

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Skip Layman on June 27, 2017 at 8:09 PM

Alfred Hitchcock would have appreciated this! The membrane over the eye add to the effect. Unusual and effective shot.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 558 Posts, 1704 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on June 27, 2017 at 8:39 PM

Very cool frame. I like all the details and the various colors in the plumage. Nicely captured. A sharp image can stand up to a big crop as you've demonstrated. Nice.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on June 27, 2017 at 9:13 PM

Hi Wayne,

Sinister indeed. I like the details and color of the plumage. Well done.......................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 27, 2017 at 10:44 PM

Usually I discard the frames with a nictitating membrane deployed, Wayne, but it really works with this pose. Looks like it's wearing those old reflective sunglasses. Really nice detail and color in the plumage. Well done.

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

Comment posted by David Schoen on June 28, 2017 at 5:59 PM

Superb detail for iso 1250 especially for such a large crop. Really nice dark shading transitions throughout the image. You had to do a really good job on processing this.

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

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on June 29, 2017 at 11:50 AM

Wayne: the pose is different in the best possible way and makes the photo unique. It's a pleasure to view. Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by Peter J. Morrissey on June 30, 2017 at 1:07 PM

Hi Wayne
This photograph shows great detail and control of the blacks. Nice work.
Peter

Registered on July 3, 2011, 188 Posts, 969 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on June 30, 2017 at 1:33 PM

Sinister indeed. Nice work getting the exposure on this bird to offer those wonderful iridescent tones Wayne. This is the first time I've seen a bird's nictitating membrane enhance an image. Very well done!

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 8, 2017 at 11:08 PM

Congratulations on the EP, Wayne. An excellent image.

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