When in the shadows, Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) appear to be all black, but in the bright sunlight their iridescent feathers shine in an array of colors. I photographed this uncommonly beautiful Grackle as it perched in a dead tree on Tuesday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Beauty is everywhere.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
So brilliant and pretty, Mike!Blue Rock HorsesFrederick County, Virginiabluerockhorses.com
Gorgeous picture! I always loved grackle iridescence. In the 80’s I wrote an article I called “The Uncommon Grackle” which was published in a journal called “Snowy Egret” by Humphrey Olsen. My copy is packed away now but one day I’ll find it and put it on my blog.
Wow! It is amazing that we both immediately thought of the word “uncommon” regarding the grackle. Thanks for your kind words, Leah. I was thrilled when I managed to capture some of that wonderful iridescence in a photo.
Beautiful capture, Mike! I love the way you have caught the blue hues in the shine of the feathers and how that connects to the blue of the sky. The juxtaposition of the smooth bird against the knobbly branch is also a lovely visual element.
I love grackles precisely because of how sleekly elegant they look with their fluid lines and the sheen of their plumage. I see them all the time but still get excited when I have one visit my feeders.
Lovely coloring. Very nice capture.