Female Yellow-headed Blackbird foraging on the ground – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The fore and background of this image may be messy or cluttered looking but I love the way this photo shows the female Yellow-headed Blackbird in the habitat I find them in at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
I photographed this female Yellow-headed Blackbird from the auto tour route earlier this week as she foraged on the ground for prey. She was difficult to track with my lens because she moved rather quickly through the vegetation hunting for insects and because of that I had quite a few images where my camera locked on the plants instead of her. I’ve seen these blackbirds snatch midges straight out of the air and I am surprised she didn’t grab the one that is seen in flight a few inches away from her bill in this frame.
At first I thought this female had some pigment issues going on because I don’t recall seeing so many white feathers on the breast of a female Yellow-headed Blackbird but some females do show white plumage on their breast and it seems like this female just has a little more than normal.
I have images of female Yellow-headed Blackbirds that have clean backgrounds in my portfolio but they don’t seem to give as much of a sense of place or habitat as this photo does which is probably why I find this photo appealing. Your tastes may vary.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Yellow-headed Blackbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
BEAUTIFUL SHOT, Mia!!! For all the right reasons…I especially live blackbirds because they are so interesting, interested and smart…
I really like seeing all the detail in the foreground — especially the flying insect she seems to have her eye on. Definitely gives me a sense of “a day in the life.”
I sorta-kinda like the white fringe below the yellow on the breast. Great shot as always.