On a recent walk around my local pond, I heard the call of a male Great-tailed Grackle. When I found it, I giggled out loud because of where it was perched. Apparently it doesn’t take much to make me laugh.
Male Great-tailed Grackle and weathervane – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 300mm, natural light
The grackle tickled my sense of humor because both it and the bass weathervane had their mouths open with a bright blue sky behind them. Was it life imitating art?
I know that some people find the calls and songs of Great-tailed Grackles irritating but I actually like hearing these birds. I also enjoy seeing and photographing them.
When I walked up to the pavilion because I only had my Nikkor 70-300mm lens attached to my camera. My 500mm lens was at home. I’m actually glad I had the shorter focal length because with my bird gear I wouldn’t have been able to fit the bird and the weathervane into my viewfinder.
Where these grackles are roosting at night this fall is a mystery to me. Not that long ago I used to hear them settling in for the night just across the street in a conifer in a neighbor’s yard.
In the spring I will be able to look forward to watching the males of this species displaying and I am excited about that. I had great fun photographing the grackles last spring while their breeding season was going on. The grackles nest not far from the pond and their activity, calls, and displays fascinate me. They start nesting before the trees fully leaf out which means I can see how the females create their nests.
When I first moved to Utah sightings of this species were not all that common. Now I can find them in many areas including close to home.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Great-tailed Grackle photos plus facts and information about this species.
You know what really lights me up about this pic? It’s the wonderful blend of colors and textures (…is that the right word?). Love the eye contact with the grackle and the iridescent blue sheen on his back. Thanks Mia.
P.S….I want that weather vane!
I’m happy you are still giving me inspiration!
The Grackle can’t be outdone by a mere fish! 😂
I love your sense of humour – and your delight in the natural world. Keep sharing them both please.
I find them fascinating. Never fail to find them at Maverick in Brigham just off the freeway. I heard one trying to imitate someone’s dog going ape after being left in the car. It came close!