Female Red-winged Blackbird with grasshopper


Red-winged blackbirds are a staple across much of North America.  Their familiar call is made only by the males; they are "highly polygamous" and may have up to 15 mates.  While some birds are paired for life (Canada geese), red-winged blackbirds are far less fickle.  The male spends most of his time during breeding season calling out and defending his territory.  Although both male and female birds feed nestlings, the task falls mainly to the ladies as the males are busy with other business.

These birds are remarkably hardy.  Their diet consists mostly of insects when they are available.  They will also eat seeds; I have found them at my feeders when not in breeding season.  I took the above photograph in early August; breeding season was over and the female was clutching her prize rather than consuming it.  I can only surmise that she was going to feed her fledged brood.  I love the old fence post upon which she stands.  Its patina adds a lot to the image.

I love the lens and camera system that I use to capture such images.  I have tried many combinations over the years; mostly telephoto zooms attached to nominal cameras that have served me well.  This particular combination, a D500 and a 500mm PF Nikkor lens, have proven to be the best system yet.  There is no visible distortion, even when massive cropping is used, and the modest minimum aperture (f/5.6) renders most backgrounds out of focus with a pleasing bokeh.  

The best rule of thumb I can give people about photographic equipment is this.  Buy the camera you can afford, but buy the best lens you can for the type of photography you like to do.  Skimping on a camera is less of an issue than skimping on a lens.  Cameras come and go.  Lenses can last a lifetime.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com

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