The Common Grackle Thread

You did quite well, Burd. You got some really nice shots. I like your action shots especially. Each time one takes a photo of this bird you're apt to get some different kind of coloration because of lighting variations. I often wait until I see the iridescent colors appear before I press the shutter release button. You stopped the action quite well with a higher ISO and thus, higher shutter speed.

I'll post some of mine as soon as I can pull them together. Hopefully, some others will add their Grackle photos, also.

Great thread and great shots Burd! I love the action shots too of these colorful birds...well done. Our Grackles seem to have gone missing so haven't any to share but look forward to seeing more.

Burd, I have so enjoyed this thread. Really good action shots. Of course, I've never seen a Grackle, but find them fascinating with the wonderful iridescence and the pale eye. Well done and thank you.

Okay here we go ...... I'll post some of mine most of which were taken within the last week. A few may have been posted on the Daily Pics thread. I used spot metering, aperture priority f8 and an ISO of 400. With that combination, my shutter speed on a Common Grackle is generally too slow to capture a decent action shot.

Their piercing eyes really get to me when they are staring directly at the camera. This one is munching on a piece of bread.

This one really shows the iridescent colors while still looking toward the camera .......

This one was taking while it was snowing .......

Another "in the snow" photo .........

I actually never know what color features I might wind up with in photographing the Common Grackle.

Rather mean looking !!!

Most of these are taken from under my deck ...... I have a few trees close by which helps in finding a decent setting.

Another photo depicting the iridescent coloration .......

A nice profile shot ........

Sometimes the sun helps and other times it hinders the outcome ........

Another snow photo .......

Again, note the varied coloration .....

Grackles is an example if we really look, we'll find beauty in things that we don't normally see. Linth. some magical images! Thanks to you and Burd, a wonderful thread is made.

This is my last one for now. Hope to see some others post their Common Grackle photos ........

Thanks for starting the thread, Burd. You did "real good" !!!

What wonderful images, Charlie.

Great catches Linth!

I'm very impressed by the flight photos Burd, very good work. Love the colors too.

Linth wonderful shots, of your Grackles. Loved how you captures the different colors in different lights.

Linth, Wonderful Shots!! Thanks for contributing to the thread! And thanks everyone for the nice comment's! If anyone has a Grackle post away. I think the eye candy we are seeing, kind of make's the Grackle's give back for when they are being bully's and sometimes ruthless. And I think some of us have seen the that side. lol
Linth, even though my photo's came out..after I seen them it just made me want a 400mm len's that much more, can't wait until I get one. I could have zoomed in a lil more but wanted to keep more than one bird in focus...quite a few times I would use the dish to draw focus and then take continuous shots.

Beautiful shots.

I love the grackles. I don't have them right now, but when I get them, they are rarely pigs at the feeders. By then they are mostly interested in bugs (and so I welcome them… eat those june bugs!!!)

Here's a picture of one from last summer when I discovered that they like to wash their bugs.

Here's a shiny one with lots of color.

Last one, a close up.

Burd, Linth and Marna...such beautiful shots of this "who knew they were so gorgeous" bird.

I'm so glad you started this thread Burn!!

Here is a shot of "My Grackle Spot" from Jan of this year.

Nice ones Marna! Rose, I like Spot!

Here is one of mine from last March.

Here is a shot of them doing that thing when they stare up at the sky or whatever. It is a ritual that always gets my attention.

Pelle...I can actually hear that one!! Nice shot!

Oops sorry Rose!

Another Jersey Grackle

No problem Pelle...gorgeous shot!

Does anyone know WHY birds stop coming to feeders. As background, the feeders developed some moldy seed, so I cleaned them out, ran them thru the dishwasher to sanitize and put in new seed. But the birds will not come back. It must be pretty pathetic when the grackles won't even come. In the past, they have almost inhaled the feed, so I know they like the feed.So what do I do now? How do I get the birds back to the feeders.

Hi Vol, If there is a lot of natural food around (berries,nuts&bugs) that will slow things down. Now some questions.

Is there cover for the birds to escape to when hawks come around?

What type of seed or seed mix are you using?

Do you have suet out?

Love the picture, I am just getting into bird photography.

This is not a great picture and it is a female Boat-taied Grackle, Florida form but here goes. (Taken early morning-sun in wrong position)

Hi Wren, Nice shot! I love the female Boat-tailed Grackles because their so different from the males.

Thanks they are one of the easier ones to id.

I see them down the shore a lot. I love their tails and they seem to be quite brave around people.

Nice shots everyone!! I have a few more shots left from Sunday that didn't make my first cut of photo's.
Thanks for contributing all!

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The sun is out today..Ive only seen one small Grackle...