Red-winged Blackbird in morning light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/250, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
At Bear River MBR two days ago, I paused to take pictures of this Red-winged Blackbird in the warm morning light despite the mosquitoes trying to bite my neck. Of the twenty-six photos I was able to take of this blackbird this is the only one that met my standards.
The rest of the images had strong shadows from the phragmites stalk on the face of the blackbird or had motion blur because my shutter speed was slow. I could have bumped up my ISO to increase my shutter speed but I was busy slapping the mosquitoes off my neck and exposed skin when I wasn’t pressing my shutter button.
I spent the rest of my morning at the refuge slapping those insects even though I put insect repellent on right after I photographed this blackbird and came home with several nasty bites.
Were the mosquito bites worth it? I think so. I saw birds, I took a few images of them, and I enjoyed my quiet journey around the auto tour loop. It might have been better had I not been slapping myself.
It won’t be much longer now before the cold weather either creeps in or the temps drop rapidly, and those mosquitoes won’t be a problem. Until then, I am trying hard not to scratch their bites which only makes them more itchy. I’d say that mosquitoes can “bite me”, but the nasty buggers already did.
I still love what I do, the subjects I capture, and the time I spend out in nature taking in its wonders.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red-winged Blackbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Mia,
For insect bites, have you ever tried Bentonite? You can order it from Amazon-comes in powder form. Mix in a small jar to make a paste. Close the jar and keep it in your car. Spread the paste on your bite with a popsicle stick and let it dry. As it dries, it takes away the itch and inflammation. Some people tell me that it only works if you do it right after you get the bite. It has worked for me even later. Example: I got bitten by a yellow fly; jar was at home. I put the paste on when I returned to my house-maybe an hour later. It worked on me.
I wish I had seen your post about insect bites earlier in the season. You may have to wait til next year to try it.
Good luck!
I am a mosquito magnet so I feel for you. And loved seeing this beauty that we do not have. Thank you.
Very Nice image. Yes those little buggers are out in force!
I thought all of our Red-winged Blackbirds had migrated, but I saw a couple yesterday. I love this shot with the early morning light.