Boat-tailed Grackle male – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 250, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 260mm, natural light
Boat-tailed Grackles are very common in Florida and many people consider them a nuisance because they will frequent areas where people leave food and trash around and these birds will scavenge in those locations for food.
I think of how opportunistic Boat-tailed Grackles can be because they have adapted to human presence and will clean up the edible pollution we leave behind while we “recreate”.
Male Boat-tailed Grackles have velvety black feathers that glow in the right light with iridescence purples, blues, teals and greens.
This male Boat-tailed Grackle posed on top of a sign near the parking lot for the Celery Fields of Sarasota, Florida in January of 2009.
The area used to be a commercial celery farming operation but is now a great area for Sandhill Cranes in the winter and can be very birdy at times.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Boat-tailed Grackle photos plus facts and information about this species.
Thank you all for your very kind comments on this Boat-tailed Grackle image!
You never fail to astound us with such charming bird and animal portraits. Great photo!
Beautiful portrait, Mia! The Boat-tailed Grackle has such colorful iridescence!
I’m going to see my sister in FL for a couple a weeks; so I will be seeing these again! Nice portrait!
The iridescence is so beautiful, you captured it perfectly, Mia!
Look at that fellow… doesn’t he look like he could tell you where the wind was born????
The hardest things in the world to photo or paint are black birds and animals. They are also some of the most rewarding when we “get it” right. This is gorgeous… Many thanks. I rather like their clown-like prancing when they come through here once in awhile. They have distinct personalities and are a lot of fun to watch.
Love the shape of the beak. Hadn’t seen one close enough to see the detail before. Nice, Mia!
I’ve photographed grackles so many times, but I’ve never gotten close enough to appreciate the texture of their feathers. Beautiful!
A couple years ago I saw a grackle at the Kaysville pond doing his mating ritual. I really appreciated his dedication.
Much like the grackles that I am familiar with here.
Man, you gotta love that iridescent sheen on TOP of shiny black. FABULOUS! =) Nice work.
So sounds like they act alot like our magpies and other than a little different shaped head reminds me of the crows and ravens.
Great feather color detail Mia!