Great-tailed Grackle


Posted by Bruce Sherman on Sun Nov 02, 2003 1:26 pm

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There are probably more of these guys down here than any other species, with the possible exception of the Laughing Gull. Once in a while one gets lucky and finds one of them doing something interesting. I was trying to shoot avocets this morning at the Port Aransas, TX Birding Center and this guy appeared. I was using the 600 with 1.4X TC, so I had no choice about the bird being a little tight in the frame.

The water in the BG has, IMO, kind of a funky green cast. I tried numerous adjustments in PS, but did not like any as well as what was on the original, so I didn't change it.

EOS 1D with 600 and 1.4X TC, ambient metering (ISO 250, 1/500, f9), fill-flash with BB at - 2.

Thanks for looking.

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by digimies on Sun Nov 02, 2003 1:37 pm
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Handsome Grackle in a peaceful light and composition! Blue metal color of bird is gorgeous, water tone is no problem, imho.
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by Harvey Edelman on Sun Nov 02, 2003 1:43 pm
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One of the best shots of this species I've seen.
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by Chris Valentine on Sun Nov 02, 2003 2:40 pm
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This is really great! The tight framing doesn't bother me at all.
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by Alan Murphy on Sun Nov 02, 2003 3:49 pm
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Great shot Bruce.
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by PParker on Sun Nov 02, 2003 5:11 pm
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Nice shot of the Grackle Bruce.
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by LindaY on Sun Nov 02, 2003 5:16 pm
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Beautiful shot and graceful pose on the bird. Your exposure looks excellent here as you have great details on this dark bird. The reflection is a definite plus. The tight crop is perfect for this one.
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by Bill Whala on Sun Nov 02, 2003 7:49 pm
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This one is nice all around. The exposure, the behavior. The tight faming works well. Excellent!!
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by Jim Neely on Sun Nov 02, 2003 8:29 pm
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Nice one, Bruce.

These things are all over the place in Austin, none in the country.

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by Ken Newcombe on Sun Nov 02, 2003 8:42 pm
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Bruce,

A great behavior shot! Nice detail in the dark feathers. Well done.
 

by AlexC on Sun Nov 02, 2003 10:38 pm
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"Talk to water" is my Indian name!!!
Wonderful indeed, a touch more contrast for my monitor, otherwise very nice!!! Congrats!!! 8)
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by Laura Stiefel on Sun Nov 02, 2003 10:39 pm
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Hi Bruce. Great catch of interesting behavior! I'm not noticing a green cast to the water so much as kind of colorlessness- I'm always frustrated with my photos where the water is rendered this way as well. However, I don't think it's at all distracting in this shot. I love the iridescent wing!
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by Bruce DiVaccaro on Mon Nov 03, 2003 6:25 am
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Bruce,

This is an excellent composition with a great pose by the grackle. Love the texture of the water.
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by Alan Melle on Mon Nov 03, 2003 9:56 am
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Nice behavior shot!
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by Brian L. Zwiebel on Mon Nov 03, 2003 10:31 am
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I love everything about this Bruce. The irridescence, the bright eye, the tail, reflection, perch, drinking. Just wonderful!

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by E.J. Peiker on Mon Nov 03, 2003 11:38 am
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This really shows off the Great Tail well!
 

by Mike Wilson on Mon Nov 03, 2003 1:41 pm
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Very well done. I have tried to get these guys and so far have failed miserably. He's a beauty.
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by Juan E. Bahamon on Tue Nov 04, 2003 9:32 am
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Great shot Bruce. the iridecency is beautiful.
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