Today, I’m sharing a photo of a male Great-tailed Grackle perched on a weathervane. I took this photo while walking down at one of my local ponds last week.
Great-tailed Grackle male perched on a weathervane – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 300mm, natural light
The bass weathervane is broken; the bass should be attached at the highest point of the spindle but has fallen down to the ball above the directionals. Even though it is broken, I think the bass weathervane makes for an interesting perch.
The disbelieving expression of the grackle almost mirrors mine when I look at the local weather forecast about three times a day.
Yeah, yeah, I know, I am anthropomorphizing.
The grackle was simply looking at a female grackle walking around on the roof of the building below the male. But his expression does seem to look like he doesn’t believe what he is seeing.
10 day forecast, October 23, 2023
I check the 10-day weather forecast when I wake up in the morning, again around noon, and then between 5 and 6 pm. Lately, the forecast changes every time I look at it. Weather is a significant factor for me as a photographer because I prefer good lighting, and whether I go out into the field is determined by the weather.
Just yesterday morning there was no snow in the forecast for Salt Lake City this coming week. Now there is. When I check the weather forecast later today, that might change. The forecast seems as broken as the weathervane this grackle was perched on.
I can count on some sunshine today according to the hourly forecast. I’ll hopefully be heading out into the field this morning but first I am going to check some traffic cameras, the radar, and satellite views. It is hard to trust the weather forecasts.
Perhaps I’ll throw all caution to the winds, north, east, south, and west, and go without checking another thing.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Great-tailed Grackle photos plus facts and information about this species.
Now as I see it…the Grackle is looking down at that fish and wondering, “How the hell did you get up here?” Great pic. That old weather vane is a keeper. Thanks Mia.
We saw a gagle of grackles while visiting southern Utah last week. I thought their extra long tail made them look odd, but fun to watch them tease my dog
Yet another great photo – and I like the weather vane (broken or not). Our weather boffins change their mind regularly too. And interestingly are very accurate about temperature and much less so about rain.
Neat photo! Yep the weather is never a given here.