Boat-tailed Grackle

[Bill Dix]

Perhaps this illustrates the difficulty of photographing a shiny black bird in the sun, even at 7:00 AM. Some of the blacks may be blocked, but I liked it anyway. This is almost full-frame, cropped 5% from right and bottom for comp. Taken at Ocean City Rookery in June. BG is saltmarsh.

D7200, 500f4 + 1.4 TC, ISO 1250, 1/2500s @ f/7.1 manual.

[keith mitchell]

"but I liked it anyway" So do I Bill,I understand what you say about the blacks perhaps not being technically correct but this is how we often see black birds in sunlight,I like the natural simplicity and uncluttered habitat and the bird stands out beautifully against that smooth bg,very nice indeed.

Keith.

[David Cowling]

You may be concerned about the techs but I think this is a lovely image and as Keith has already said, this is the way we see these shiny black birds in low sun. I like the perch and the clean background. I like the way you caught the calling action. TFS.

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent image, Bill Sir.
Nice calling pose, beautiful colors, BG, perch and lovely composition.

Regards,
Satish.

[Daniel Cadieux]

The blacks OK for the situation you had, I just feel some of them look a bit smoothed out from possible NR? I like the perch, BG, calling pose, and composition.

[Bill Dix]

Thank you all. I don't remember applying NR on the bird, but I did dodge a few areas which may have led to a grayed-out appearance in places.

[David Salem]

I totally agree with Daniel. Looks like NR was applied to the bird. Nice BG and perch though. Well done