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No Worms Up There


No Worms Up There
Photo Information
Copyright: Kathy Meader (writerscrawlz) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 277 W: 2 N: 924] (2961)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-03-16
Categories: Birds
Camera: Cannon EOS Rebel XTi, 28-300mm
Exposure: f/18.0, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-03-22 14:42
Viewed: 503
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This common male Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) usually forages on the ground in small flocks (somebody forgot to tell him that...) mainly for insects and seeds, often in residential areas. (Yes, I was once again in some strangers yard hoping they wouldn't come out and demand answers...) Males sing songs while fluffing plumage and spreading tail. They aggressively defend their territories - and although I was an interloper, I guess this male figured I could take him on...

I didn't do much here except crop and unsharp. I added a bit of contrast and saturation - and yes, the sky really was that blue. This was taken across the street from the motel where I resided during my short trip.

The sun was just giving enough light so that I no longer needed a flash or the setting on AV. As usual, no trip was used, although I did use the SUV that was in the driveway. (But I wasn't going to steal it, honest...)


While many find this particular bird annoying, I find them quite pretty. Enjoy!
Kathy
:-)
eqshannon, MMM, NinaM has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To eqshannon: Grackle, Blackbird and QuiscalesNinaM 2 03-24 20:03
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Critiques [Translate]

Nice one Kathy...I think this might be a Brewers which look just like the Grackle...but it's anyones guess unless Ivan comes along. he is the man with the eye and the brain...other than that your images have been super as of late...You must have a special nature Guardian Angel eh;-)

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 921 W: 0 N: 1985] (8905)
  • [2009-03-22 17:39]

Hi Kathty
Nice capture.Sharp image with nice pose from your subject.IAgrred with you there are very nice bird wit outstanding colors.
TFs Michel

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 801 W: 3 N: 2100] (6594)
  • [2009-03-23 17:17]

Bonjour Kathy, it is a funny day because bob's post of today reminds me of a picture of mine and this one too! I even thought to post it a while ago but changed my mind and I sure will now that I saw yours! Maybe I can help with the ID of this bird. Bob is right by saying that this is a Brewer's Blackbird and not a Grackle. It's more confusing in English because in French, they are both Quiscales, one is the Quiscale bronzé and the other is the Quiscale de Brewer. So they are both the same family of birds but it seems, from my book, that the Grackle is bigger (28-34 cm) than the Brewer (23 cm) and is found on the East side of the Rockies whereas the Brewer's Blackbird is found on the West coast, southern part of Canada and in the US. Hope this helps!

Francine

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