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08-AUG-2005 Terry Straehley

Two on a See Saw*
by Terry Straehley

Santa Barbara, CA USA

Each year we put out an Oriole feeder in the back yard. The Orioles visit California between March and mid-August. Orioles are much more skittish than Hummingbirds. This picture was taken from about 50 feet away. Any closer and they will not come to the feeder. As this was taken the Orioles were preparing to leave for Winter quarters. The Oriole on the left is an immature male. The one on the right is a female, probably immature also. I had just received my 80 - 400 lens and was trying it out with this picture


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DM Watson 19-Aug-2005 22:21
Wonderful shot, Terry, I like the sense that the female is yakking at the male, who is trying to ignore her; sort of a nagging scenario. Did you consider removing the black pole that runs through the bird at left? Or cropping some from the bottom (on the theory that the color below the white fence might be a distraction)? I know that a crop would give the shot an odd aspect ratio, but it might also accentuate the see-saw effect.... David W.
awais yaqub 17-Aug-2005 12:49
very nice its like saying some thing to other and he is not giving him attention
i love it
Terry Straehley 16-Aug-2005 22:18
Mike
These are Hodded Orioles. When mature the black area around the eyes of the maile expands and goes down the throat as you can see in this shothttp://straehle.smugmug.com/photos/30423471-M.jpg.
Sony Forums Challenges16-Aug-2005 12:26
They certainly do appear to be "see-sawing" on that feeder...even having a conversation with each other :) Beautiful birds, what kind of orioles are these? I'm used to seeing the "Baltimore" variety where I live. Nice candid, Terry. MFC
Guest 16-Aug-2005 04:46
Nice capture, Terry, of a bird that I've also found to be very elusive -- and you got two of them! Thanks for the tip on giving them plenty of space. Bev