On the last day of April, I had a bit of good luck when a female Great-tailed Grackle walked so close to me at a local pond that I could take portraits of her. She didn’t seem at all concerned about approaching me or my tripod.
Springtime female Great-tailed Grackle portrait – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f8, 1/1000, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The lighting was beautiful, and so was she. While some may consider the males of this species more striking, personally, I find the females just as stunning.
She was very bold and her gaze was piercing as she walked closer and closer to me. Perhaps she was trying to figure out whether I was friend or foe. I wish there were a way I could communicate with my subjects. I’d love to have the ability to tell them that I mean them no harm and that I treasure them.
Head on spring female Great-tailed Grackle portrait – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f8, 1/1000, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Head on portraits always seem to get a chuckle out of me, and this one is no exception. The female grackle even looks a bit cross to me. She wasn’t actually cross, of course, but she was really checking me out.
Taking this image did make me laugh out loud while I stood behind my tripod. She looked so serious.
Female Great-tailed Grackle picking up fishing line – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f8, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
What didn’t make me laugh?
Prior to the female Great-tailed Grackle approaching me for her portraits, I saw her picking up discarded fishing line. Thankfully she dropped it. The grackles are nesting right now, and fishing line is never good nesting material.
After I finished photographing the grackle, I walked over, picked up the fishing line, and disposed of it safely.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Great-tailed Grackle photos plus facts and information about this species.
The female grackles are quite beautiful.-Jeri
Nice portraits. I am glad she did not pick it up. I found a dead male all wrapped up in fishing line there.
I do love your portraits – and I also loathe those who simply leave their rubbish where it lies.