Male Yellow-headed Blackbird resting on a rock – Nikon D500, f8, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
On Monday while at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge one of the first birds I photographed was a male Yellow-headed Blackbird resting on a rock. I hadn’t even gotten to the auto tour route when I spotted this male perched next to a male Red-winged Blackbird. Both blackbirds may have been perched on the rock to capture the warmth of the rising sun on their dark plumage. It was still fairly chilly at the time.
I parked my Jeep to get the best angle of light and started photographing the birds. After the Red-winged Blackbird flew off this Yellow-headed Blackbird had my full attention. It isn’t often I find this species perched on rocks.
Yellow-headed Blackbird male on a rock – Nikon D500, f8, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
There were other male Yellow-headed Blackbirds nearby and this male sang and put on a display. Unfortunately for me when he sang and threw his head back towards his shoulder I could never get a view of his eyes so those photos will go into my delete bin. Since I’m usually not able to get as close to this species as I was I decided to take advantage of being able to get images of the yellow, black and white bird that showed the fine details in his plumage.
Male Yellow-headed Blackbird at the end of his song – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Even though I wasn’t able to get eye contact from this male Yellow-headed Blackbird while he sang and displayed for the nearby males I did take a few images where at the end of his song I could see his eyes.
Photographing the blackbirds was a wonderful way to start my peaceful and very relaxing morning on the marshes and wetlands of the refuge.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Yellow-headed Blackbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Another set of extraordinary pics. I love how the vivid colors of the Blackbird plays against the muted background. Thanks Mia.
Such cheerful images! And I love April’s comment about them falling over while singing – I’d love to see that!
What an incredible charmer – and a truly beautiful start to the day. Any day.
How lovely to have a peaceful and relaxing morning, and wonderful that you are aware of your surroundings in such a way that they instill that in you. We live on an astonishingly glorious planet.
Beautiful! I love it when they fall over while singing!