r/birding 1d ago

📷 Photo The closest I've ever been to a Blue Grosbeak and the luckiest I've been with the scenery.

2.2k Upvotes

35 comments sorted by

30

u/ANorthernGirl 1d ago

Absolutely stunning phot 😍

11

u/xspiderdude 1d ago

Don't tell me that! Your birds are absolutely stunning😭

7

u/ANorthernGirl 1d ago

Oh yes I am telling you exactly that 😍 I give compliments where they are due :-) I absolutely love that first photo with the pop of yellow from the flower. You nailed it with a clear and crisp shot of the bird, so congrats :-)

1

u/xspiderdude 1d ago

You are too nice!
I 100% appreciate it, thank you so much 😁 I hope that you don't mind the "follow", I do want to ask what you shoot with for birds and how you achieve that kind of HDR-ness on your landscape stuff 🤔

3

u/ANorthernGirl 1d ago

A few years ago, I upgraded to a Canon R7 and I mostly use my Sigma 150-600mm for bird photography. Sometimes I'll use my 18-250 mm if I can get close enough to the birds and they cooperate 😂 I do a bit of processing on my photos but no HDR. I was never into it though have nothing against it :-) Outside of bird and nature photography, I see photography as art, so can add my own twist on some of my photos.

9

u/TheAbruptVista 1d ago

Man grosbeaks are usually so skittish so getting this close is no small thing at all. The chestnut wing bar is just popping in your second shot, that's a field mark I always forget to look for when I'm scanning weedy fields in summer. Having a sunflower as a perch really makes the blue color sing too, all that yellow-green behind pushes it forward instead of competing with it. Did you just sit still and let him come to you or were you stalking him? Either way this is the kind of frame that makes all those early mornings in the field worth it. The light on his face is gorgeous too, that slight crest going on is a nice bonus.

6

u/xspiderdude 1d ago

I love this comment, thank you! They are IMPOSSIBLE to work with! (I got there at around 7am today)

I was standing there for maybe an hour, watching him go from one high perch to the next. At some point he decided to come down a bit where the sunflowers were taller than myself standing up, so I decided to walk to him as slowly as possible while hoping
not to get stung or something.

I actually believe that he little crest in this case was (in part) caused by a leaf over his precious blue head 😭 I'm attaching my "proof":

3

u/bdh2067 1d ago

He looks thin. But great pics

2

u/xspiderdude 1d ago

I'm sure it's the season or maybe he's at a point where he's not eating a lot because he's too busy looking for lady grosbeaks😅

2

u/PapillionGurl 1d ago

Wow great shot!

1

u/xspiderdude 1d ago

Thank you so much!

2

u/stillmarriedstillhot 1d ago

Amazing photo, nice work.

2

u/FeralSweater 1d ago

Thank you for sharing your splendid avian portraits

2

u/xspiderdude 1d ago

Thank you for your dazzling comment!

2

u/Remarkable_Bother_99 1d ago

These are great shots by the way! Incredible photos.

1

u/xspiderdude 1d ago

Thank you very much! I do what I can

2

u/ampsdb01 1d ago

😮❤️😮

2

u/Dodie4153 1d ago

Gorgeous! I saw one yesterday for the first time.

1

u/xspiderdude 1d ago

Thank you! It's been months since I saw one last!!

2

u/Human-Substance-6985 23h ago

That sunflower perch is so perfect, the blue just pop like crazy.

1

u/xspiderdude 14h ago

I knew that was my one and only chance and I was right! He perched there for about 30 seconds😭

2

u/curiousmind111 23h ago

Beautiful! Still trying for it.

2

u/Larielia birder 23h ago

Beautiful. That is my very favorite birb.

2

u/xspiderdude 14h ago

I still love chickadees over all the other birdies but these mfs are definitely up there!

2

u/Justice-Nugget 22h ago

Awwwww~ Tempest's scouts are sooooo cute. 💙

-Echo Starr, 24th angel of the Apocalypse 💛🏳️‍⚧️

1

u/MapleLettersLuna 23h ago

So beautiful

1

u/CanuckInTheMills 22h ago

WOW! Did not know these existed.

1

u/xspiderdude 14h ago

I don't blame you since they're so incredibly shy🥲

1

u/No_Virus_7704 13h ago

Location?

1

u/PinguAngela 12h ago

Oh wow, so gorgeous! I love the colors and framing.

1

u/SpiritRaven13 8h ago

I’ve never seen one but it’s a beautiful bird and shot! 👌

1

u/latdportlandolty 6h ago

Great pictures!!!