Preening Time

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Comments


Jeff

grate find hard bird to get love the posing of it

Heather Mellon

Thank you Jeff. You're right they are a hard bird to photograph most days and don't hang around people much. Even thought they're not a very popular bird they are native to North American and have their place in the overall scheme of things. Although I don't like their nesting habits it's something that evolved out of necessity it seems.

Debra Plett

Very unique pose great timing Heather. Lots of detail in the bird and the light did catch the feathers perfectly. Very nice job composing and capturing this image.

Heather Mellon

Thank you Debra. She made it so easy for me too, that's the best part. I'm used to the year round resident birds and squirrels being relaxed when I'm out with the camera but it's unusual for one of the summer residents to be.

Yves Langlois

Love that unusual pose Heather. Head and feets beautyfully details. Nice texture of the feathers on the right side with great lighting.

Yves Langlois

Love that unusual pose Heather. Head and feets beautyfully details. Nice texture of the feathers on the right side with great lighting. On the other side the slim texture of long wings and tail. Very nice pose. The curved branch is perfect to match the pose of the bird. Great shot.

Heather Mellon

Thank you Yves. I had just put my camera down when she landed on a trellis by the deck and started to preen right in front of me, it caught my eye and I grabbed the camera again :) You have a really keen eye for detail and I appreciate that.

Harold Fleming

Very nice texture throughout the body, Heather. I agree with you. I like the shift between dark and light coming off the back feathers.

Heather Mellon

Thanks Harold.. I like to capture birds in unusual poses and feeling relaxed enough to go about their day naturally in my presence.. and she filled the bill :)

Description
This cowbird is the only one that returned to the pastures this year. There used to be two pairs who returned each year and one pair stayed here for the summer. When she's not in the pasture she hangs out in the trees beside the house occasionally looking for shade on a hot day. She has a pleasant sound of whistles with buzzes and trills mixed in. I like the way the sun caught some of her feathers in this shot..
Taken By
Heather Mellon
Taken On
July 2, 2021
Tagged
female cowbird preening her feathers bird animal beak
  • Camera:

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