Male Brewer’s Blackbird shaking off after a bath – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, +0.3 EV, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
A few days ago I spotted a male Brewer’s Blackbird bathing in the cool, shallow water of an alpine creek and moved towards him to take a few photos. By the time I drove to where the blackbird was he had hopped out of the creek and landed on an old stump. I watched and photographed the Brewer’s Blackbird as he shook out and preened his dark feathers.
It was about 10 a.m. and the sun was higher than I would have liked it to be but I was still able to capture fine details and some iridescence in his feathers.
Male Brewer’s Blackbird after a bath in an alpine creek – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, +0.3 EV, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I am seeing more Brewer’s Blackbirds in the higher elevations of the Wasatch Mountains than I have in previous years. That fact has made me wonder if this species is moving up into the high country of the mountains because of our climate crisis. I thought about that as I photographed this male blackbird.
The Brewer’s Blackbird shook all of his feathers as he perched on the stump just inches above the cold water of the creek. Some of the poses I captured of him seemed funny to me as I view them on my large screen at home.
Brewer’s Blackbird male high in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, +0.3 EV, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Some of the images of the Brewer’s Blackbird male delighted me because of the iridescence I could see in his plumage. Not long after I took this image the blackbird lifted off and flew across the creek in search of food.
I turned on my Jeep and headed down the mountains towards the Salt Lake Valley glad that I had stayed just a few minutes longer. If I hadn’t stayed those few minutes longer I would have missed out on seeing this blackbird.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Brewer’s Blackbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Good golly Miss Molly…these pics are spectacular! I love how the Blackbird stands out against the blue background and the vivid eye contact is really powerful. Thanks Mia.
Hi Mia – I photographed some Brewers Blackbirds about 10 days ago in Yellowstone – the week prior to the devastating floods – probably between 7-8 thousand feet. They were beautiful and bright eyed. And had several Ravens in Gardiner; love their vocalizations! A few other birds seen in YNP were American Dipper, Harlequin Ducks, Common Mergansers, Tundra Swans, Horned Grebes, Spitted Sandpiper, Canada Jay, Western Bluebirds, and more
He is simply gorgeous. I wonder whether you are right about the species ‘moving’ and sadly suspect you are.
Tack sharp sequence, Mia! Thanks for starting my day right.