Comment from Stringbean
Beautiful shot of this Grackle all puffy showing the many layers and colors on their feathers. Your framing is perfect and photo is well composted. Superb eye and beak clarity. Your focus spot on with well defined details of the feathers and markings. Beautiful and artistic blurred background complimenting your photography beautifully. This is very nice work and thanks for sharing!

 Comment Written 25-May-2017

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reply by the author on 26-May-2017

thanks so much SB!

reply by Stringbean on 27-May-2017

You are more than welcome!
Mary Lynn

Comment from angelsanddiscus
It is fair to say that this is a female. I am wondering if she is getting ready to do the call or already did it. Very nice capture. Good work on the focus catching the detail in the feathers. Nice colors and faded background. Thanks for sharing. The males are very hard to shoot when the sun hits them dead on.

 Comment Written 25-May-2017

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reply by the author on 26-May-2017

thanks so much again

Comment from ciaobella
Nice shot of this bird. He seems to be posing for you. I like the green background that complements the bird nicely. Well done.

 Comment Written 25-May-2017

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reply by the author on 25-May-2017

Many thanks Bella

Comment from cleo85
This girl looks funny, puffed up all over. Your focus was apparently spot on. The details of plumage and body are well defined. The soft green background emphasizes her colors nicely. Her off-center placement is eye pleasing.

 Comment Written 25-May-2017

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reply by the author on 25-May-2017

thanks Cleo

reply by cleo85 on 25-May-2017

You're most welcome!

Comment from michiganmike
A very nice shot of this all too common bird. I like the flat light and the great detail in the plumage. The colors are excellent and the composition is attractive.

 Comment Written 25-May-2017

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reply by the author on 25-May-2017

thanks so much Mike

Comment from Joek1973
This little grackle is puffy and looks to be a bit perturbed! I am wondering what he is staring down. Very nice detailed shot, good crop and great faded natural background.

 Comment Written 25-May-2017

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reply by the author on 25-May-2017

Birds do this puffy thing to get some cooler air on their bodies. Thanks Joek

reply by Joek1973 on 25-May-2017

I did not know that, I always thought it was like a lot of other animals that puff themselves up when they thought there was danger lurking. Thank you for the info!

Comment from nikman
Quite a nice bird shot posted here! Your almost central composition gives us a good look at him/her! Exposure and sharpness are fine. Well done

 Comment Written 25-May-2017

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reply by the author on 25-May-2017

thanks Nik!

Comment from Paul G.
He is all puffed up, that's for sure. What has him all stirred?

Very nice image, Eileen. Great focus. Detail is so crisp. Lighting perfect. Well done.

 Comment Written 25-May-2017

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reply by the author on 25-May-2017

thanks so much Paul! who knows why youngsters do the things they do ;)

Comment from GaliaG
Cute capture oft he bird, he looks surprise to see you

good focus on the bird and good supporting blur background

nice colors and tones

thanks for sharing

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 25-May-2017

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reply by the author on 25-May-2017

thanks Galia, your 4+ suggests that you may have done something different? I'm always open to suggestions :) Thanks!!

Comment from Susan F. M. T.
Eileen,
A wonderful picture of this Grackle all puffed up as if cold or wanting to draw attention to itself the light sparkling in it's light coloured eye. Beautiful composition framing & lighting taken with superb camera techniques & sharp focus.
Susan

 Comment Written 25-May-2017

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reply by the author on 25-May-2017

thanks Susan :)