Red-winged Blackbird

**hunter58** · 06-23-2012, 05:04 PM

Yucky rainy day today but I did manage a few shots of a Red-Winged Blackbird.

**chicagojohn** · 06-23-2012, 05:16 PM

The red-wing is my very favorite, and I like your pictures, but I'm not that thrilled about the white background.

My story is that when we moved to Chicagoland some 13 years ago, the only house I could afford required a lot of work.

As I was painting the interior and fixing it up before my wife and our dogs came from Ohio, this bird, a red-wing, kept hanging on the screens talking to me. Day after day.

So I went out and bought some bird feed and put it on the railing of the deck. Apparently, I thought, the previous owners had fed the birds.

When they come to the feeder these days, I always think that maybe this was the same bird that caused me to put the feeders there; I know that's not possible, but I like to believe it nonetheless.

Thanks for reminding me of this story.

**yellalablady** · 06-23-2012, 06:08 PM

The 2nd one looks like something out of an Audubon book. I like the high key look.

**Bushhed** · 06-23-2012, 08:08 PM

He looks mad. You did a wonderful job capturing these beautiful birds. They are pretty comment here in upstate NY.

**hunter58** · 06-24-2012, 04:02 AM

Originally Posted by chicagojohn

The red-wing is my very favorite, and I like your pictures, but I'm not that thrilled about the white background.

I wasn't happy with BG either but it's the best I could do to try and get an decent exposure on the bird. The bird was high above me so I was shooting up towards the sky and the sky was actually grey clouds but it was totally blown out hence the white background. I know I could put the bird on another BG but I'm just going to wait for the really good natural shot.

As for seeming mad he wasn't mad with me, in fact he followed me when I walked away going from tree to tree as I walked. He was a great subject but the weather was not. I'll have to see if I can find him again on a nice sunny morning.

**chicagojohn** · 06-24-2012, 10:23 AM

Well, the redwing has a very special place in my heart and memories. As for the background, sometimes we have to make compromises and, perhaps, decide whether to take the best shot we can or not shoot at all. You obviously made the right choice, hunter58

Great job.