Even though they are not colorful I think Loggerhead Shrikes are handsome birds with the combination of black, white, the bluish gray and the hawk-like beak.
Early spring Loggerhead Shrike – Nikon D200, f7.1, 1/350, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not a set up
Last week I wrote that I was looking forward to the birds that arrive here in the spring and yesterday I was able to photograph some of the Loggerhead Shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus) that I mentioned.
The light was not optimal, the weather forecasters said it was going to be “partly cloudy”. I can tell you there wasn’t very much blue sky evident anywhere on or near the island. Low light has its challenges such as trying to keep a high enough shutter speed to get the birds sharp without having to use high ISO’s and to select the best exposure compensation value to show details in the darks without blowing out the whites.
Loggerhead Shrike perched on dried seed heads – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/500, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not a set up
The past two days I’ve been seeing and photographing the Antelope Island Loggerhead Shrikes in the same areas I saw them most last year. I’m hoping that I will have as many opportunities this year as I did last year. (In better light would be nice!)
Mia
Click here to view more of my Loggerhead Shrike photos plus facts and information about this species.
You must have been up early yesterday! They are handsome birds, and the gray light kind of complements their color for you here. I saw my first one in Florida last December. It perched at the top of a tree, but I knew right away that this was a different bird for me. (Being a fairly new birder means so many birds are lifers!)