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Copyright: Mircea Costina (mirceax) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 233 W: 57 N: 1282] (5689)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-24
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Sigma EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 APO DG Macro
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/800 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-25 14:40
Viewed: 352
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), is a large icterid.

The 32 cm long adult has a long dark bill, a pale yellowish eye and a long tail; its plumage is an iridescent black, or purple on the head. The adult female is slightly smaller and less glossy.

The breeding habitat is open and semi-open areas across North America east of the Rocky Mountains. The nest is a well-concealed cup in dense trees (particularly pine) or shrubs, usually near water; sometimes, the Common Grackle will nest in cavities or in man-made structures. It often nests in colonies, some being quite large.

This bird is a permanent resident in much of its range. Northern birds migrate in flocks to the southeastern United States.

The Common Grackle forages on the ground, in shallow water or in shrubs; it will steal food from other birds. It is omnivorous, eating insects, minnows, frogs, eggs, berries, seeds, grain and even small birds.

This bird's song is particularly harsh, especially when these birds, in a flock, are calling.

The range of this bird expanded west as forests were cleared. In some areas, it is now considered a pest by farmers because of their large numbers and fondness for grain.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ken52, NinaM, lise, Juyona, angela926 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 660 W: 98 N: 1249] (4153)
  • [2008-06-25 14:51]

It's a common bird but there is nothing common about this photo. Outstanding! The light/exposure is amazing showing lots of detail and that beautiful iridescent color that is so difficult to capture. It looks almost like a bronze sculpture. Bravo!

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 545 W: 0 N: 1338] (4443)
  • [2008-06-25 16:37]

Superb shot Mircea, fantastic colours that you captured from this beautiful grackle. Those birds are beautiful and few people really appreciate it. Thanks for sharing this picture with us and making us enjoy those birds,

Francine

  • Great 
  • lise Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 179 W: 52 N: 531] (2593)
  • [2008-06-25 17:00]

Bonjour Mircea,

Quelles belles couleurs!
Suberbe netteté, cette lumière fait bien ressortir tout ces tons de bronze, bleu et mauve!
Excellent travail.
Lise

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 198 W: 2 N: 514] (1936)
  • [2008-06-26 0:08]

Hello Mircea,
Excellent macro.Sharp image with great details.Colors and light are excellent.
Regards,
Siggi

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2808 W: 75 N: 7868] (26349)
  • [2008-06-26 2:43]

Hello Mircea!

Fantastic portrait! Shiny feathers look like mini rainbow. I like pose of Grackle with vigilant eye and beak ready to strike. Very high quality and interesting subject.

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2003 W: 6 N: 1955] (13053)
  • [2008-06-26 4:18]

Hola Mircea,
excelente trabajo,
detalles y tonos maravilloso.
foco estupendo,
saludos

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1589 W: 242 N: 5308] (18683)
  • [2008-06-26 12:54]

Great photo of this Grackle.
I love the glossy feathers and iridescent colours.
Excellent sharpnes and detail.
Very well composed too.

Well done, Mircea!

Joe

Mircea,

This is definitely a bird that is best photographed in full sun, just as your picture shows. Its plumage is just beautiful. Even though it is a fairly common bird, its beauty never ceases to amaze me. Great work. TFS

Best Regards,

Martin

Hello Mircea,
Fantastic close up, beautiful colors, good clarity, excellent sharpness and depth of field, superb details and lovely light.
Angela

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1298 W: 104 N: 4606] (20485)
  • [2008-06-29 9:13]

Bonjour Mircea, superbe portrait du Quiscale! Les détails et les couleurs du plumage sont fantastiques! J'adore le fond foncé et la lumière dans l'oeil est impressionnante! Bravo et merci,

Mario

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