February 12, 2016

Loggerhead Shrike

SDP 2-12-16

It's been awhile since I visited the celery fields in Sarasota.  It's now a formal birding area complete with an Audubon nature center, which, unfortunately, was closed when I visited last Sunday.  Following a short hike to a nearby retention pond, I spotted this little feathered fellow perched on a branch.  It was quite breezy and I was having difficulty composing a decent shot with the branch swaying.  Then, suddenly, the bird flew away and landed on a fence post just a few yards from me. And, then proceeded to pose for the camera. After consulting my trusty Birds of Florida Field Guide, I'm fairly confident this is a loggerhead shrike…although, with that black mask I think of him more as "Little Bandit".

9 comments:

Mersad said...

You really had luck then with this bird. The shot turned out excellent!

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

Nancy J said...

Superb focus, and what a setting for him to sit, for that moment.

LOLfromPasa said...

How did you get him to look at you :). Wonderful shot.

Jens Hamn said...

what surprises me in your photo is the look of the bird!
it is beautiful but it looks like he should not be nervier, haha !!

you've captured a good moment !!

Lowell said...

Lucky you that he landed on that post! It's a beautiful shot of a beautiful bird!

William Kendall said...

Very kind of him to do. A sharp looking bird!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

What a brilliant shot SRQ, so crisp and clear. I do love your little masked bandit :)

Brian King said...

What a handsome bird! I've never seen one in person.

Kay said...

Isn't he cute?! This is a great shot! I discovered a Northern Shrike in our backyard a couple of months ago, hanging onto a branch in the wind, too. I don't think I'd seen one before and was tickled to "meet" him.