Brewer’s Blackbird close up – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Brewer’s Blackbirds are considered common birds where I live in northern Utah and some bird photographers might take a pass on the opportunity to photograph them but seen in the right light they are anything but common in appearance. In some lighting situations male Brewer’s Blackbirds look very much like a plain, black bird with yellow eyes but when they are seen in good light they positively glow with iridescent purples, blues, and greens.
Brewer’s Blackbirds are year round residents in northern Utah but the seasons I notice them the most in are spring and fall, spring because they are courting and displaying and fall because they flock up in large numbers after the breeding season is finished.
During the fall one of the areas where I know I can consistently find large flocks of Brewer’s Blackbirds is at Farmington Bay WMA where I enjoy taking photographs of them feeding, flocking, preening, resting and while they are on the wing.
Yesterday morning I was able to take close up images of a male Brewer’s Blackbird in the kind of light that showed all of its beautiful iridescent colors with the silky blue water of a pond in the background.
This certainly isn’t just a plain, black bird.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Brewer’s Blackbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Beautiful shot. With all of the glistening colors, I would never call this Blackbird common.
Very interesting post. I learned a lot about these common but beautiful birds (in this area). Thanks!
LOVE that iridescence. Thank you.
They are lovely in the right light.
Great shot.
Great a very nice shot!