Rainy day blackbird

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Rainy day blackbird

January 18, 2014 by Mike Powell

Most birds seem to seek shelter when it is raining (and most people too), but this male Red-winged Blackbird (and this photographer) were an exception to that rule in late December.

Posted in Art, Birds, Nature, Photography, Portraits, wildlife, Winter | Tagged Agelaius phoeniceus, Alexandria VA, blackbird, Canon 50D, Canon 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens, Huntley Meadows Park, male Red-winged Blackbird, red-winged blackbird | 7 Comments

7 Responses

on January 18, 2014 at 8:30 am | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

If I were him I’d be looking for a nice evergreen to hide in until the rain stopped.
on January 18, 2014 at 10:20 am | Reply naturesnippets

I think us so inclined look for reasons to get out, not stay in.
on January 18, 2014 at 1:52 pm | Reply Lyle Krahn

The long rain streaks and thotful pose really add a lot.
- on January 18, 2014 at 2:06 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Lyle. The rain had started falling harder when I took the shot. Normally I don’t mind shooting in the rain when it is a light rain, but I’ll generally call it quits when it falls harder or gets windy (I don’t mind getting wet, but don’t want my gear to get soaked).
on January 18, 2014 at 2:52 pm | Reply iseebeautyallaroundbyrobpaine

what a cool shot mike, never seen one of these photographed in the snow
on January 18, 2014 at 7:00 pm | Reply krikitarts

I’ve shared your observation that RWBs don’t seem to mind the rain at all, and that–and their haunting, rusty calls–are two of the things that keep them close to my heart. Their indifference to rain makes me wonder if they have a modicum of the oils that ducks have to help to keep it on the outer surface of their feathers. I too like shooting in the rain very much–even a heavy one, but I’m with you all the way on calling it quits when the wind starts to howl.
on January 20, 2014 at 6:34 pm | Reply Sue

Not only was the blackbird enduring the rain, but apparently so was the photographer.