Today is the third anniversary of my uncommon Common Grackle sighting in Utah. I found the grackle perched in a Russian Olive tree next to Glover Pond.
Common Grackle with its bill open – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 1000, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
There were hundreds of Red-winged and Brewer’s Blackbirds along with Brown-headed Cowbirds in the area that day. They were flying in and out of the tree, landing on the road, and perching on the old fence posts that are no longer there. It took my keen eyes to spot the uncommon Common Grackle.
I knew immediately that this bird was a Common Grackle.
How? Because I had extensive experience with this Eastern species from living in Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida back East. I knew exactly how to identify this species when compared to the other black birds in the area.
After correctly identifying the grackle, I pointed out the bird. That wasn’t an easy task with all of the other similar-looking black birds that were perched in the tree. But eventually I succeeded. The bird I found was a lifer for them.
The photos of this grackle I took weren’t as sharp as I would have liked for them to be. I know exactly why they weren’t as in focus as I wanted. It is called heat wave dispersion. The interior of the vehicle I was in was much warmer than the surrounding air and with the windows down to photograph birds, the interior heat escaped and cause heat waves in the air in front of my lens.
During the winter in Utah I keep the inside of my Jeep cool but not freezing by running the heat only at my feet on low and I shut it off if I see any evidence of heat wave dispersion. That has worked great for me.
I was thrilled to find, identify, and photograph the Common Grackle three years ago and to point out a lifer bird for a friend. In the years since then, I have yet to find another Common Grackle in Utah. This year I did see them in Virginia and photographed them in Arkansas. I hope to have this species in my viewfinder again soon.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Common Grackle photos plus facts and information about this species.
A neighbor photographed one a few years ago near here – the only record of one in Mendocino County. Definitely unCommon!
Lovely colours and an alert pose. Definitely Uncommon for me – but you knew that.
My parents in Centerville had a nesting pair for a number of years in their pecan tree. They dive bombed anyone near which was unfortunate because it was right by the front drive way and approach. There were numerous Brewer’s blackbirds in the field across from Glover Pond yesterday. I tried for a few shots but it was too foggy and due to their darkness they are a dark ink blot in a field of white.
I like this shot especially because it shows a bird doing something, which we usu never see, and even less often see a photo of.