While I was at Farmington Bay WMA three days ago I stopped to photograph a male Red-winged Blackbird that I spotted on an old dead branch.
Male Red-winged Blackbird up close – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/320, ISO 500, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The clouds had moved in over the marsh and the light I had wasn’t the greatest so I made the most of what I had. These dark, black birds can be challenging to expose properly and the cruddy, low light actually worked in my favor.
I was close enough to the male blackbird that I had no choice but to photograph him vertically. Plus, there were branches to his right and left that could have been distracting in my images if I had opted to move farther away from him. I stayed put and photographed him with my camera turned vertically.
Male Red-winged Blackbird displaying in January – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/320, ISO 500, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Things got a little dicey when the male Red-winged Blackbird began to sing and display. When he displayed and moved his wings I had zero room side to side and I clipped his wings in quite a few of my photos. I kept firing away him hoping that in a few images his wings wouldn’t be clipped. It was the right choice because I had a few photos where I didn’t clip his ebony wings.
Red-winged Blackbird males singing and displaying in January isn’t unusual here in northern Utah. Their songs and behaviors are a reminder to me that spring isn’t far away now. I don’t want to wish winter or the moisture we have gotten away but I’d sure enjoy a bit more sunshine than we have had since November!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red-winged Blackbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Red Winged Blackbirds have always been among my faves. Great shots. Thanks Mia.
I love both shots but especially the top one. Here it is winter with only a very little snow but lots of heavy grey clouds and freezing rain so I can really empathize with your low light struggles when I try to photograph our black crows.
Very nice! I am missing the swans.
What a glossy beauty. I am MORE than ready to welcome our autumn. I am over summer.
Love the top one, can almost feel the silkiness of his feathers.
Wow! These are some of my favorite birds. But here on the New England coast they are very rare this time of year and certainly aren’t wearing their red epaulets yet. Great shots!