Loggerhead Shrike

Gallery: AvianPosted December 17, 20171,104 views14 comments

Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)

Bosque del Apache, NM
Date: December 11, 2017, 10:25 am
Equipment: Nikon D7200, AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR @ 500mm, bean bag from car window
Exposure: ISO 800, Aperture priority spot meter, 1/1000th @ f/6.3
Raw, PS CC 2017 on Mac, 69% of full frame

I spent a full day on Monday at Bosque del Apache, driving the loops and shooting from the car window. I had great opportunities with a number of birds including this shrike that was active at the crossroads just beyond the entrance booth.

This was my first serious time out with the 200-500 that replaced my old 300/2.8 with 2x. I was worried I’d miss the extra reach but the image quality of the Nikkor zoom and the convenience of variable focal length are welcome features.

I had to cut my visit short, and it has taken until today to do my initial review of all my images. This is the only shot I’ve had time to process.

If possible please view the large version before commenting.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on December 17, 2017 at 5:15 PM

Really wonderful light and detail on this shot Richard. Good pose and slight head turn. Background works well. Nice job!

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

Comment posted by Jim Gavin on December 17, 2017 at 5:44 PM

Superb. Not even the slightest little nit.

Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 17, 2017 at 6:19 PM

Sweet, Richard. It must have read your license plate and decided to cooperate. I saw quite a few of them, but all against the light, too high, half-hidden, etc, etc. Beautiful image quality though the color on the dead leaves doesn't seem quite right (however I'm viewing on my laptop, so it may be fine).

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

Comment posted by John Neukirch on December 17, 2017 at 6:36 PM

Awesome capture Richard, one of the best images I've seen of this species in quite a while.

Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on December 17, 2017 at 6:42 PM

Well done, Rich. Good exposure to get the catch light, and nice pose. I Know that spot, it's a hangout for a resident GBH I've seen there.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on December 17, 2017 at 8:17 PM

I've been waiting for your Bosque images! Hope you had a good time - sorry you had to leave early.
This is about as good as it gets - sharp bird, great pose, perfect light, interesting perch, sweet BG.
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Ed Williams on December 17, 2017 at 10:31 PM

I agree with them Richard. This is a really nice shot. Love the detail int he large version, especially the eye and feet for some reason.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on December 18, 2017 at 9:46 AM

Richard: there's great detail and soft light on the bird. I particularly like the oof background as it makes the bird really stand out. Congrats! Richard

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

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on December 18, 2017 at 1:43 PM

So, so beautiful. You made the Shrike look much sweeter than it really is! :)

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on December 18, 2017 at 7:17 PM

Not sure how this could be any better. The detail is outstanding and the background works well with the bird and perch.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on December 18, 2017 at 9:41 PM

Your new lens is definitely sharp, Richard. Very nice detail. I really like the subtle lighting and that background really compliments the Shrike well.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on December 19, 2017 at 4:11 PM

Richard the colors and detail are outstanding on this image. There's nothing not too like! laugh

Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments

Comment posted by David Bogener on December 21, 2017 at 2:32 PM

Nice pose with excellent detail. Exposure looks perfect in the larger version. My only suggestion would be to move him slightly off center.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on December 22, 2017 at 4:34 AM

A wonderful portrait of this handsome fellow Richard.

Sweet light, a great pose, nice perch and complimentary background.

A Beauty!!!

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