Female Brewers Blackbird

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Female Brewers Blackbird
Photo Information
Copyright: Bob Shannon (eqshannon) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1665 W: 156 N: 5708] (17144)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-02
Categories: Birds
Camera: Fuji Finepix S2 pro, Sigma 70-300mm
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-05-06 5:34
Viewed: 401
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A couple of observations on the Brewers Blackbird. Females seem to outnumber males in my area. Maybe that's simply a skewed math and strictly provincial. Only an observation. Secondly the females are not as nice as slick/shiny as the males. Females tend to be of a duller and not so deep colour. Brewers are frequently confused with other birds such as a Grackle (*longer tails on the Grackle) and cow birds (which are not as nearly as prevalent if even here at all).

The Brewers Blackbird is certainly not the prettiest bird in our small feeder collection. They come in and scare away the finch and sparrow. They do like the larger sunflower seeds. I am contemplating ending this invasion by changing feeds....and lastly, there is tis dark side to the Brewers. The eyes which truly overpower the blackness even in males, appear to have some evil quality to them. I find it interesting how we as humans project onto animals and such by observation. Since I am not the only one who does this, I reckon I'll have to blame Edgar Poe (the Raven) and movies in general but specifically Alfred Hitchcock's classic "The birds". The later movie was filmed just south of Mendocino in Bodega Bay. The steep cliffs with no protection while driving down to Bodega Bay are only for the brave heart driver. Otherwise it is a 200 foot sheer cliff down to the ocean rocks below...and yes..it happens...

Fujifilm DSLR
Sigma 7-300
f5.6
ISO 320
1/3000
300mm
Hand Held
jusninasirun, smitha, Silvio2006, pekkavalo1, uleko, gerbilratz, jaycee, marhowie, nglen, gracious, angela926, CeltickRanger, iris, haraprasan, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Neighbor. Nice bird captured here today under bright light. Excellent optics :-) exposing clear detail plumage and the signatory pleasant background from Sigma. Beautifully crop and very useful note. Thanks for sharing and best regards. Jusni

Hello Bob,
It is true how we project our thoughts and ideas to the animal world too. Blame it on our ancestors for coming out with such descriptive stories in which Raven is bad, mostly associated with witches, fox is sly and cunning,Lion the mighty and benevolent King, and long goes the list. Here in India also, Crow is associated with the world of Dead.I wonder is it the colour that gave such an impression to our fore fathers about these black birds.
Your picture of Brewers Blakbird is very impressive with excellent POV and sharpness.The light successfully brings out the shimmering blue in its feathers which changes its rather dull look.Seems like it is busy enjoying its meal.
Thanks for the share,
Smitha.
Thanks for thenotes, enjoyed reading it.

Hi Bob,

Very good capture of the Brewsters Blackbird with good composition, pose and sharp details.

TFS

Pekka

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2297 W: 163 N: 6694] (21146)
  • [2008-05-06 8:08]

Hello Bob,
Maybe not exactly a beauty but certainly a fine close capture of this female Blackbird in bright sunlight. Fine shiny plumage and I like the low POV.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

Hi Bob, your birds get better daily, very good composition. The POV is excellent, good colours and details. great job there!!

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1675 W: 8 N: 4022] (13255)
  • [2008-05-06 9:31]

Hi Bob,

I have never seen a Blackbird but there are areas here with too many Grackles! A Cowbird shows up every now and then. I love the seed in his mouth. And you are right - there are birds with evil or mean looks in their eyes. Our Curve-billed Thrasher is a perfect example.

Jane

Hi Bob,
Nice capture, the DOF and detail looks great. Hard enough to expose these birds correctly in direct light, but you pulled if off well with a hard light/shadow mix..And thanx for the slideshow, great soundtrack :)
Howard

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1864 W: 2 N: 4738] (18250)
  • [2008-05-06 11:27]

Hi Bob. Good interesting notes on this bird ,which you have captured with good detail and colours. I like the pose with its head turned backwards. well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1555 W: 233 N: 5091] (17959)
  • [2008-05-06 13:44]

Another brilliant photo of this Brewer's Blackbird!
Once again there's a lovely glossy sheen to the feathers that is brought across very well here.
Good sharpness and clarity.
Great composition too!
Very well done!

Will look at the latest video now :-)

Cheers,
Joe

Hello Bob,
The lighting here is perfect to have the details on the plimmage clearly seen!
I agreed with you, they do scare away the little one just as we feed the birds in my house area too!
many thanks for the sharing
best regards
tony

Hello Bob,
Nice capture, good sharpness and depth of field,
nice natural colors, good details and excellent
pose.
Angela

hello Bob

lovely shot of the female of Brewers Blackbird,
with fine POV and DOF, i love the againts daylight effect
of the bird and the lovely eye-contact with you, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1223 W: 0 N: 4449] (13290)
  • [2008-05-06 23:56]

Hi Bob

A lovely pose with great colour and nice detail. I must admit, I think it looks OK and not at all evil. I think the Raven deserves its reputation - after all, if you hang around executuions and peck out the eyes - well - people are bound to talk!! :)

James

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 368 W: 39 N: 654] (2053)
  • [2008-05-07 2:12]

Hello Bob,
A fine capture that is complemented by your ever wonderful notes.He seems another nice fella happy to be around your feeder, so my recommendations to manage to keep him:)The shot is well composed, that light fallig on the body gives a great shine and shimmer making it look a gorgeoaus dark beauty.(The colour looks more of brown than black..how dark are they?)
Very well done.
TFS & Cheers

Namastay Bob,
A nice capture of this beautiful blackbird. Excellent composition and sharp details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Sincerely
HP

Hi Bob, beutiful bird with fine details good sharpness, interesting note, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hi Bob,

A good close-up image of the Brewers Blackbird, thew point of view is showing with precision the details and colors of the bird. The subject is nicely frame. The light brings out the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

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