The 'Carib Grackle'

[Steve Kaluski]

It's not going to win any prizes, but I thought I would posted it on the basis, it's a new species, I think certainly on BPN? Taken whilst lounging by the pool, never can leave the camera alone for too long, LOL. BTW it's not always sunny there, ISO2500

Thanks to those who posted a reply or looked at the previous image.

Steve
Subject: Carib Grackle (M) (Quiscalus lugubris)
Location: Barbados
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 70-200f/2.8 plus 1.4x HH
Exposure: 1/500s at f/7.1 ISO2500 +0.67 stop compensation

[Barry Ekstrand]

Steve,

A nice side shot of a Grackle, looks good against the background. A question for you - we have a lot of Common and Broadtail Grackles here in the Houston area. The first time I photographed a Common Grackle, I was surprised to see a deep iradescent purple coloring in the feathers from the shoulders up, covering the head. I never noticed just looking at them, the purple is so deep it looks black like the rest of the bird. On your Caribe Grackle, I can't see the color change - maybe just the lack of sunshine to bring it out? Or does this species of Grackle not have it?

Barry

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Barry, they are a glossy jet black, in the sun they are a complete nightmare, as they become a black 'blob' with absolutely zero definition in the plumage. I'm sure they are a sub species of what you have, however being in an overcast/low light it did help defining the plumage to give some form. If you post any, drop me a line, be good to see the difference in species.

Cheers
Steve

[keith mitchell]

Steve lounging by the pool in Barbados it's a tough life! Bird looks nice and sharp as I would expect seen a few of these but I must say I have not studied all there different shades.
Always amazes me how many birds and wildlife you can see in hotel grounds.
Have a good one,

Keith.

[Sandy Witvoet]

This is pretty cool... great feather detail and bg... gotta love the "perch"! ...like "what are YOU doing sitting in MY chair!?" I see just very slight hints of iridescence, which adds to the dimension (depth?) of the image. Well done and fun!

[Loi Nguyen]

Steve, surprised to see you lounging by the pool in civilized Barbados instead of somewhere in a jungle. The blacks look really good and sharp. The BG looks like you applied quite a bit of NR there, so the bird looks a little "pasted on." Isn't this you taught many of us :)? Loi

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks folks, LOL Loi, indeed, but no NR, about +6 in masking which is minimal, thats all, but I'm more impressed as you say, about the depth of blacks.

[Shawn Zierman]

Coolest perch....ever! Seriously though I do enjoy the background with it's variations and softness. Beautiful bird, striking eye, perfectly sharpened details. Excellent details in the blacks throughout. Even so, if the bird had turned a bit towards it's left, towards what appears to be the light source, the face and chest might have been illuminated better....maybe.

[Andre Pretorius]

The Detail in blacks is amazing, even on perch!

Exposure well handled, as can one expect.

The yellow eye gives life to the otherwise drab coat.

Are they from the same family as our Starlings?

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Andre, it could be from the same 'family', I assume you mean 'Superb, Cape, or Black bellied...'? It has all the traits, cheeky, food thief, walk, basically all round bad boy.