Autumn mockingbird

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Autumn mockingbird

November 21, 2013 by Mike Powell

The autumn colors may be fading fast, but the remaining leaves still provided a colorful background for this Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) this past weekend.

Normally mockingbirds sing all of the time, but this one was curiously silent the entire time as I moved around at pretty close range, trying to get the best possible background for the shots. From time to time, the mockingbird would turn its head, almost like it was striking new poses for me. This was my favorite pose, a serious portrait in profile in which the mockingbird looks unusually stern.

Posted in Art, Autumn, Birds, Nature, Photography, Portraits, Winter | Tagged Alexandria VA, autumn, fall, Kingstowne, Mimus polyglottos, mockingbird, Northern Mockingbird | 12 Comments

12 Responses

on November 21, 2013 at 5:46 am | Reply judysbirds

Like I said on yesterday’s post, your photos are gaining a clarity and crispness to them that makes the photo ‘pop’. In addition, you are really developing an eye for the bird within the context of the background. Keep going, Buddy!! 🙂
- on November 21, 2013 at 5:51 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. Fall is the transition time from me, a time when I shift from shooting a lot of insects to photographing a lot of birds. Last winter was the first time that I photographed birds, and I am learning a lot about the birds and how to photograph them a bit better.
on November 21, 2013 at 6:29 am | Reply New Hampshire Gardener

I can’t think of a single thing that would make this photo any better. It’s excellent!
- on November 21, 2013 at 6:39 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. i could tell that I would like this shot as soon as I took it and got a quick look at the LCD of my camera.
on November 21, 2013 at 9:49 am | Reply cindydyer

Wow! Truly gorgeous shot, Michael! I agree with everything Judysbirds said, too!
- on November 21, 2013 at 7:10 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Cindy. As you might have guessed, I photographed this mockingbird at the little pond in Kingstowne.
on November 21, 2013 at 9:55 am | Reply Sue

Stunning! The background color is gorgeous.
- on November 21, 2013 at 7:09 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Sue. I really tried to pay attention to the background for this shot, a luxury that I rarely get to enjoy.
on November 21, 2013 at 9:58 am | Reply caleephotography

Your bird shots just keep getting better! This is really excellent, I’m super impressed with the sharpness, light, background, cropping, everything. And a cute bird too! 🙂
- on November 21, 2013 at 7:08 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. I had the luxury of being pretty close to this bird, which made it easier to get a good shot.
on November 21, 2013 at 1:47 pm | Reply Leslie

Love the composition on this one. He does look a bit stern and maybe even a little grumpy!
on December 20, 2013 at 6:40 am | Reply Vivacious are the Moods of Autumn | Rain-Chimes~ My Poetry Blog

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