Antelope Island Loggerhead Shrikes

Early spring Loggerhead Shrike
Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Nikon D200, f7.1, 1/350, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not a set up

Last week I wrote that I was looking forward to the birds that arrive here in the spring and yesterday I was able to photograph some of the Loggerhead Shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus) that I mentioned.
The light was not optimal, the weather forecasters said it was going to be “partly cloudy”, I can tell you there wasn’t very much blue sky evident anywhere on or near the island. Low light has its challenges such as trying to keep a high enough shutter speed to get the birds sharp without having to use high ISO’s and to select the best exposure compensation value to show details in the darks without blowing out the whites.
Even though they are not colorful I think Loggerhead Shrikes are handsome birds with the combination of black, white, the bluish gray and the hawk-like beak.

Loggerhead Shrike perched on dried seedheads
Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/500, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not a set up

The past two days I’ve seen Loggerheads Shrikes on Antelope Island in the same areas I saw them most last year.  I’m hoping that I will have as many opportunities this year as I did last year. (In better light would be nice!)
Mia