BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY

STOPS ALONG THE WAY

COMMON GRACKLE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)

20 Comments

Common Grackle-1

The common grackle is a member of the blackbird family although larger with iridescent feathering and striking yellow eyes. Grackles are resourceful and opportunistic foragers. The two shots of this grackle were taken moments apart and show the difference a well lit subject can make to a photograph. In the first photo the position of the bird caught the light to advantage, showing off its spectacular colouring; less so in the second example as the bird changed position. However, capturing the bird with a snack in its bill added some interest and made up for the less than perfect lighting.

Common Grackle-2

 

20 thoughts on “COMMON GRACKLE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)

  1. Judy's avatar

    Definitely for a common black bird some consider a nuisance, it has uncommon iridescence !! Here’s Audubon’s take on the colors:

    “The genial rays of sun shine on their silky plumage, and offer to the ploughman’s eye such rich and varying tints, that no painter, however gifted, could ever imitate them. The coppery bronze, which in one light shews its rich gloss, is, by the least motion of the bird, changed in a moment to brilliant and deep azure, and again, in the next light, becomes refulgent sapphire or emerald-green”

    You really caught that image 1.

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  2. Celebrate Silence's avatar

    What an absolutely beautiful bird and a stunning capture!

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  3. Malt Padaderson's avatar

    The first I have heard of a Grackle was tonight on a police comedy show…30 mins later I am looking at a blog post and find some good images of a Grackle…what co-incidence!, the longer black tail reminds me of our White Winged Coughs in Australia, more so than our Ravens or Currawongs…

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  4. v4vikey's avatar

    beautiful picture…!!

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  5. Eliza Waters's avatar

    Nice captures; I’ve always loved grackles, though many dismiss them as “just blackbirds,” their coloring and foraging habits make them distinctive.

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  6. Laura's avatar

    Super photos!

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  7. srickman2014's avatar

    I think grackles are one of the most under appreciated birds. Perhaps because they are not always viewed in the bright light like your first photograph. I really enjoyed both of your photos;-)

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  8. Majka's avatar

    Beautiful shot! You captured it with its prey! ☺

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