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Great-tailed Grackle


Great-tailed Grackle
Photo Information
Copyright: Chris Chafer (sandpiper2) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1843 W: 109 N: 4257] (14121)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-03-13
Categories: Birds
Camera: Pentax K100D Super, Sigma 70-300 DG Macro, Digital ISO-400, Matin 58mm UV
Exposure: f/8, 1/250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2009-06-22 1:47
Viewed: 526
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I was very surprise to find a group of Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) in a playing field at Fruita in central western Colorado. I had seen them before in Central America and just assumed they were a Central American species. However they have been expanding northward out of Mexico into the western United States for the past hundred years.
The grackle is a large bird with the glossy males (see the workshop)reaching 18in (46cm ) and females 15in (38cm), the main difference being that males have much longer tails.
They are gregarious and noisy, mostly terrestrial species that feed on invertebrates. They prefer agricultural and urban areas.

Reference: Dun, J.L. & Alderfer, J. 2008 Field Guide to Birds of North America. National Geographic.
ramthakur, uleko, Argus, boreocypriensis, siggi, Alex99 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Wonderful picture of a Gracle, Chris.
This species of Gracles is quite different from what what we see in India. Our Gracles have reddish brown plumages.
The focus on the subject is remarkably sharp. The eye in particular has been well captured.
Well done and TFS.
Ram

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2997 W: 162 N: 968] (2839)
  • [2009-06-22 4:04]

Hello Chris,
A very fine close view of this Grackle in beautiful light. Great focus and lovely colours of the plumage too.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2395 W: 94 N: 5542] (17634)
  • [2009-06-22 6:49]

Hello Chris,
Great photo taken in an excellent low POV. Very beautiful light in front of the bird. Beautiful colours. Very sharp and nice details. Pleasant pose with an impressive eye. Good OOF BG.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3821 W: 190 N: 11376] (35063)
  • [2009-06-22 7:57]

Hello Chris,
Nice low POV, fine sharpness and great eye-contact contribute to an excellent portrait of the female Great-tailed Grackle in a superb pose.
Thanks for posting this fine capture from your travels.
Cheers,
Ivan

Hi MF Chris,
What a beautiful bird which i have not seen before.
Perfectly focussed and composed with excellent tetails and fine POV.
TFS and cheers,
Bayram

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1378 W: 56 N: 4747] (16330)
  • [2009-06-22 11:54]

Hello Chris,
great shot with perfect sharpness and so many details.
The colors are great and the background is perfect.
Best regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6165] (21068)
  • [2009-06-22 12:29]

Hi Chris,
I saw your grackle and was surprised to see a brown bird, instead of the black one I expected.
Having read your note, I now see this is a female. Never knew about the different plumage before.
Great pose. Lovely light and color on the throat. Good DOF.
TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-06-22 15:12]

Hi Chris,very strange bird,whit colors that i like a lot,top quality of sharpness and colors,my best compliments,have a nice day,Luciano.

hello Chris
very beautiful scene and capture,fine colours and clarity
TFS
Nasos

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3585 W: 143 N: 5672] (18539)
  • [2009-06-23 12:19]

Hi Chris.
I like your wonderful, colourful picture of the beautiful bird as well as WS. DOF is great and sharp, nicely detailed image of the bird and nearest grass with smooth BG are looked together perfectly. Colour palette of the shot is fine and very pleasant for eye. TFS and best wishes.
Alexei.

Hello Chris,
So great to get this bird in sharp focus and nice pose. The grackle stands out nicely from the background.
JC

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