head-on

[John Chardine]

I was making images of this Common Grackle in a local wetland when it started to show signs of flying off the cattail perch. The wind was in my back so I knew the bird would initially fly towards me, into the wind. I waited and managed this one and another before I could not track any more.

I cleaned up the cattails a little, cropped and sharpened.

Date: 8 May, 2010, Time: 15:41h
Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Program: Manual
ISO 800, 1/800s, f/5.6
Flash: no flash

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Cool capture, I also like the setting. Maybe a bit more contrast?

[DanWalters]

Really like that head-on view. Great eye contact!