Female Expression

<< Previous Next >>
Female Expression
Photo Information
Copyright: Ralf Lukovic (ralfsworld) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 514 W: 90 N: 1771] (5920)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-13
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 20D, Canon 100-400L 4.5-5.6 IS USM
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-01-30 2:36
Viewed: 666
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Birds have expressions and can look really funny :)and in this chase picture cad say more than 1000th words :)

OK thats the story... I was @ Caye Caulker, small limestone coral island off the coast of Belize in the Caribbean Sea. I find this female great tailed grackle jumping around looking for food. I was waiting for good opportunity to get some shots of this lady but it was not easy task. So I was following this bird in probably 15 min. in 35C and 95% humidity after tropical storm days before. It was not so easy for me... and I guess bird was little bit tired on me too :) Suddenly she stop after so much activity around giving me this look and opportunity to get one shot :)

And this what I get :) and hope you like it?

The Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) is a large icterid blackbird , also referred to simply as "blackbird", and occasionally "crow" or "jackdaw", though it is not a member of the Corvidae. Similarly, it is often called "cuervo" in areas of Mexico where there are no true crows.

Its range stretches from Kansas in the northeast to southern California in the northwest down to northwest Peru and northwest Venezuela in the south; the grackle's range has been expanding north and west in recent years. It is common in Texas and Arizona in the southern regions. It is commonly found in agricultural regions and suburban environments, feeding on fruits, seeds, and invertebrates.

There is a considerable amount of sexual dimorphism in this species. Males reach up to 43 cm (18 inches), including a tail that is almost as long as the body, weigh 230 g, and are jet-black with a violet-blue iridescent sheen to the feathers. Females are significantly smaller at 33 cm (13 inches), weigh 125 g, and are mainly brownish-black, with a pale brown throat and belly.

This bird has a large variety of raucous, cacophonous calls, and is widely considered to be a noisy pest species, though its range expansion has not been aided by human introduction (compared to the European Starling).

The Great-tailed Grackle and Boat-tailed Grackle were once considered the same species.

Some species of Grackle, usually the Great-tailed, are confused with an American Crow when people unfamiliar with bird identification are asked to identify a dead blackbird. This usually occurs when birds need to be identified as candidates for West Nile virus.

source: wiki
pvs, Argus, Bufo, kjpweb, SelenE, mariki, vanderschelden, Necipp, Luis52, CeltickRanger, fiyo, MMM, claudine, Rolf has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1133 W: 259 N: 2406] (10803)
  • [2008-01-30 2:56]

Hi Ralf,

A nice and indeed funny expression on this birds face,for me this is again a new bird,thanks for the introduction,

Paul

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1555 W: 233 N: 5071] (17907)
  • [2008-01-30 3:08]

Hello Neighbor!
This is a great shot!
The expression is very funny :)
Excellent sharpness and detail.
I liked your notes as well :)
Thanks,
Joe

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2407 W: 132 N: 6648] (20847)
  • [2008-01-30 3:31]

Hej Ralf,
Very nice capture of a female Great-tailed Grackle with a penetrating look. Nice pose and excellent POV and sharpness that makes her stand out well against the BG.
TFS/Hälsningar,
Ivan

regn....

  • Great 
  • Bufo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 436 W: 72 N: 1007] (4233)
  • [2008-01-30 3:50]

She looks just like that. Allright Mr camera....I'll give you one second an than I am off :-)
Well captured and sharp details.
All the best, Jacob

Hi Ralf
Nice shot
If looks could kill
tfs jon

Excellent detail and really a funny expression you got there, Ralf. Sure worth the effort. Good natural colors too, along with good notes.
Cheers, Klaus

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 116 W: 0 N: 159] (667)
  • [2008-01-30 5:20]

Hi Ralf,

Bird looks funny but the pictur is great. Image quality is very good. Great details of the bird and natural colors can be seen.

Best regards,
Cristian

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2334 W: 59 N: 4107] (13392)
  • [2008-01-30 5:34]

Hi Ralf,
I think she was trying to say "I'm tired of you following me, ok- take your shot and leave me alone" :o) Nice catch :o) I liked your POV and the pose you captured a lot.
TFS
Cheers,
Selen

Hello Ralf,

Great picture of this bird. Wonderful pose. Good sharpness and natural colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

Hello Ralf,
As you suggested in your note, this is a good moment.
Extraordinary bird as well at least for a, let's face it, semi seasoned birder as yours truly.
Well done
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1032 W: 5 N: 2713] (9890)
  • [2008-01-30 17:50]

Hola Ralf.
Nice and funny face. great image, excellent sharpness. We call this bird as "Hurracas" they are every where around here.
Nice Photo Ralf.
Luis52.

hello Ralf

superb and funny « feminine look » composition,
excellent focus, excellent details and sharpness
of the « Lady's » plumage, and i love that you leaved
a good space in front of the bird in your framing

TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • fiyo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 969 W: 5 N: 2191] (8018)
  • [2008-01-31 3:05]

Hello Ralf,
Great composition with nice POV,
very good details and nice colours.TFS

  • Great 
  • Necipp Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1151 W: 15 N: 2073] (12390)
  • [2008-01-31 10:11]

Hello Ralf very sharp and great expression caught great pov and DOF tfs rgds Necip.

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 751 W: 0 N: 1456] (6586)
  • [2008-01-31 14:19]

Hi Ralf
Nice capture.Good POse and yes very funny expression and good eye's contact.
TFS Michel

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2292 W: 163 N: 6690] (21124)
  • [2008-02-01 2:58]

Hello Ralf,
Fine capture of this lady - I don't think she approves of you taking a picture!! Funny pose anyway and fine details and colours. I don't think I've seen her portrayed before!
Many thanks, Ulla

Hi Ralf,
You captured a funny expression indeed :) I like this pose a lot and great eye contact. Maybe that she had an eye on you! Composition and exposure are perfect! Well seen,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • Rolf Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 60 W: 0 N: 29] (194)
  • [2008-02-04 5:55]

Hello Ralf,
Great picture of this bird. Wonderful pose and sharpness and natural colours.
TFS
Rolf

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF