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Noise of the Spring Marsh


Noise of the Spring Marsh
Photo Information
Copyright: Rick Price (Adanac) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1111 W: 1 N: 4518] (15132)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-30
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 20D, Canon 100-400/4.5-5.6L IS
Exposure: f/11, 1/1000 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds of Arizona [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-03-14 5:49
Viewed: 517
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Soon the marshes in our area will come alive with the sounds of many birds all competing for a mate. One of the loudest is this young man the Yellow-headed Blackbird. This is a very common pose on top of last years cattail singing his heart out. This image was taken a Murray Lake just outside of Medicine Hat.

Yellow-headed Blackbird
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
General Description

By Gustave J. Yaki


The distinctively-marked Yellow-headed Blackbirds breeds in western Canada and USA, south to northern Arizona and New Mexico. In Alberta, wherever there are large cattail marshes you will find this easily-identified bird. It is absent only in the high mountain country or the far northern reaches of the province.

The first males arrive in southern Alberta, from as far as south central Mexico, in very early April. They occupy large wetlands in both rural and urban areas. Most Yellow-headeds leave Alberta by the end of September, but in some years a few remain, finding sustenance in large cattle feedlots.

During the nesting season, the female searches the moist substrate of the marsh for insect food for her young; beetles, waterbugs, dragonflies, snails and other invertebrates. At other times their diet usually consists of seeds.

The males are polygynous, mating with as many females as can occupy their territory, sometimes up to six. Their fairly bulky cup nest is attached to live bulrushes or other emergent vegetation growing in deep, open water. Usually four eggs are laid and incubated for 12 to 13 days. The young fledge in 9-12 days. Two broods may be attempted. After the breeding season, adult males may gather in single-sex flocks, often with other male blackbird species.
nglen, goldyrs, Proframe, JoseMiguel, PaulH, NinaM, eqshannon, gerbilratz, jaycee, Alex99, CeltickRanger, Jamesp has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2130 W: 9 N: 5960] (22528)
  • [2008-03-14 6:07]

Hi Rick. He is realy singing out loud. you have captured a excellent pose. good detail and bright colours. with a nice POV. well done. TFS.
Nick..

Rick,
A very nice shot!I love the vibrant colours, even though I'd have loved to see the bird upfront.I've never seen this type of a bird!
Very nice POV and sharp focus!
Thanks so much!
Cheers!
Goldy

Very nice shot Rick.
Love the way the black and yellow of the bird does stand out against the reeds.
Focus, sharpness and exposure are very good, but I would like to have seen the birds head a little more sideways.

TFS, best regards and have a nice weekend,

Harry

Hi Rick,
This bird is so seemed to one we have here, I'm not sure if it should be the same specie.
Their bright and vivid yellow makes a great contrast with the black feathers.
So good the pose got at the top of cattail, so vigorous!
Congratulations and thanks for share.
My best regards,
JM

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1068 W: 26 N: 3206] (11487)
  • [2008-03-14 7:16]

Hi Rick,
a really endearing shot. Love that hearty singing you've caught here, excellent composition and POV, well done mate.
Paul

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 655 W: 0 N: 1623] (5300)
  • [2008-03-14 8:16]

Hi Rick, it's incredible to see how diversed is the fauna in your area! I must add that you hike it a lot and we are the ones lucky enough to enjoy all your discoveries. What a great shot this is, I love the way the bird grabs the cattail and howls to the moon. Precious moment very well captured for the joy of my morning eyes! Thanks a lot,

Francine

gosh we are so close and yet I have never seen one of these..It is a beauty and I sure wouldn't mind getting a chance..Perhaps I will run into one this summer...One couldn't miss it's black and yellow..very nicely done Rick..and I have always had this starnge love of the name medicine Hat. I am going to look up its entomology now!
bob

Hello Rick, what an amazingly coloured bird!!..looks like a giant mutant bee!! fabulous thing indeed...Great to get the capture of the bird perched on the rush...excellent timing and good composition...TFS

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1911 W: 8 N: 4976] (16095)
  • [2008-03-14 9:49]

Hi Rick,

I had to laugh - I took a picture of a Quail in the same position yesterday. The windows were opened and I heard this loud, loud call. It was 80 degrees F - tomorrow will be 50. I've never seen a Yellow Headed Blackbird but with those colors and wonderful plummage he must be beautiful. Thank you for the introduction.

Jane

  • Great 
  • mariki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1064 W: 64 N: 2234] (9195)
  • [2008-03-14 10:35]

Hello Rick,

Beautiful picture of bird singing. Good composition and sharpness. Wonderful light and colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

hello Rick

after reading the tittle i went to see the date of your image,
i wish to listen again the noise of the Spring Marsh in my case
by the red-winged blackbirds, excellent shot and you choosed
the best moment to click the camera, TFS

Asbed

Bellissima immagine, ottimi POV e momento di cattura, molto bella la composizione, bellissimo il contrasto fra colori forti e delicati: Grazie e complimenti. Ciao maurizio

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1305 W: 0 N: 5107] (15234)
  • [2008-03-14 16:03]

Hi Rick

Great pose and lovely lighting. The blackbird stands out well against the cattails/bullrushes.

James

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1812 W: 29 N: 5246] (17188)
  • [2008-03-14 18:52]

Hi Rick,
Wonderful shot of this singing Yellow-headed Blackbird. Very impressive sharpness and colours on its plumage with perfect lighting and the OOF BG illustrates the natural setting. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3174 W: 154 N: 4796] (15481)
  • [2008-03-15 3:38]

Hi Rick.
You have pictured a nice moment. Timing is superb and pose of the bird is so attractive. I like wide DOF and exact blurriness of the BG. It is refined work. Details and sharpness of the main subject are also excellent. Composition and framing are spot on. Well done and TFS.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-03-15 21:53]

Hello Rick

Lovely capture!
We do not have those in my area,and I have never heard one.I wish we had them here,they look like beautiful subjects for photography.
The lighting and colours are excellent.
I am glad you post what you do,I get to see all the wonderful critters in the west.
TFS
Rob

Rob

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