Camera Shy Grosbeak

[ksbryan0]

I chased this guy around for a couple hours today, not knowing that it was a Black-headed Grosbeak until I got home and looked it up. He wasn't really afraid of me, just didn't want to be photographed. His favorite ploy was to fly to the top of the tree nearest me, singing the entire time! After 8 years of living on this chunk of land, it is the first time I've seen one of these birds, and the first time I've seen one in Montana in 23 years. The images aren't great, but the best he would allow me to get.

[belongus3]

Hmmm what setting did u used?....a little more sharpness wouldeved helpd ...my opinion

[paulnj]

Very nice find! Are these severe crops by any chance?

[Eric D]

What an awesome looking bird....fantastic find!

[ksbryan0]

Thanks guys. "Severe crops" would be an understatement. While I am not happy with the quality of the images, between the shooting distance, cloudy cover and forest canopy, I feel lucky that I could ID the bird from them! He was such a unique looking bird (at least for the northern Rockies), I felt I needed to share it!

[paulnj]

thought so. You captured your documentation/ ID image, so MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!