Flight of the Backyard Bird

Flight of the Backyard Bird

Northern Mockingbird, Ada, Oklahoma
NIKON D90/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 – 300 mm, f/6.3@1/1000, ISO 200

For those of you that have been waiting patiently for another backyard bird image, here it is. This particular mockingbird loved showing off and begged me repeatedly to take his picture. Time after time, he leaped from the top of a tall utility pole or tree, looped around for a short flight, and returned to his perch singing. He was very animated, and serious. I read afterwards that this behavior is thought to be a courtship display. I really didn’t think that he was doing it for me. Nevertheless his abiding search for love gave me plenty of time to photograph him, but it was still hard. Having a willing subject isn’t enough. For a bird, especially one in flight, you also need to find great light, background and form to make a compelling image. Happily, they all came together reasonably well in this image. Hope you enjoy it.

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Nancy Roderick

    6 Apr 2011

    Hi Scott,

    What a great photo!! I’m sure it wasn’t easy to capture this mockingbird in flight. He is beautiful.

    All is well here.
    Love, A Nancy

  2. Scott Smith

    6 Apr 2011

    Nailing the focus was the biggest challenge, but like golf, I always look forward to the next shot.

    Scott

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