Introducing Daily Photo

Over the years, I’ve accumulated thousands of photographs from the natural world—birds, mammals, insects, landscapes, and the places encountered along the way. Many have a story behind them but may never find their way into a longer article. Daily Photo is a new series on Reflections of the Natural World where I’ll share one image at a time, along with a little natural history, the backstory behind the photograph, and some of the photographic details. Some will be recent; others will reach back through years of exploring and photographing the natural world.

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

Icteridae — Orioles, Blackbirds & Allies

Click photograph to view full size

BACKSTORY

While driving very slowly around the refuge in rather warm 100 degree weather, I came across a small group of very noisy Yellow-headed Blackbirds in the cattails and as I started to photograph it, it threw its head back and leet out the peculiar call that they have kuk — koh-koh-koh —— waaaaaaaa.

IMAGE DETAILS

LOCATION INFO: Bowdoin NWR, Montana · June 3, 2021
EQUIPMENT INFO: Canon EOS R5 · Canon RF 100–500mm
SETTINGS INFO: 500mm · ƒ/8 · 1/2000 sec · ISO 1000