Figure 1 -Female red-winged blackbird, Fresh Pond Reserve, Cambridge, MA, May 2015. (c) DE Wolf 2015.
Last week I made several attempts to get a decent photograph of a red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). When the background lighting is harsh this become like photographing a black cat. It is hard to see the eyes or any kind of facial feature. So this is still an act in progress – a photographic learning experience. I have been experimenting with using fill-flask for these kinds of situations.
But in the meantime I discovered this beautiful female red-wing. The females look nothing like the males. Indeed they look noting like their names no red wings. I happily and greedily snapped away as she nibbled on the cattails, in search I suspect of nesting materials, although maybe lunch.
Canon T2i with EF70-200mm f/4L USM lens at 145 mm, ISO 1600, Aperture AE priority mode,1/4000th sec at f/7.1 with no exposure compensation.
She is so adorable–wonderful strong beak and even a residual fiber in it. She reminds me of my little girl tabby in her expression and color.