Grackle 6-19-2017

While stopping to grab lunch at the Bronx Zoo in May 2015, this common grackle landed right nearby. It perched on a low branch and waited patiently, keeping a sharp eye out for any stray crumbs dropped from the outdoor tables. The bright overcast sky brought out the iridescent sheen on its feathers, giving me an opportunity to get a clean close-up portrait.

The photograph shows the grackle perched firmly on a slender tree branch, angled slightly toward the left. The bird displays a sleek black body with rich blue iridescence across its head and neck, set off by a pale yellow eye. The background consists of a soft, cream-and-green bokeh blur that isolates the dark bird cleanly against the natural park setting.