D70s + 80-400 VR @ 400mm, ISO 200, 1/500, f 6.3, fill flash (SB800 + better Beamer)
This action panorama was made by stitching 6 images together in Photoshop. They were taken in Oceanside in June of 2008 when this red winged black bird attacked the great egret. While some say this is a territorial act, I feel the red winged black birds do this for fun.
There is an excellent how to do action panoramas in this months Outdoor Photographer and its written by George Leep. He details how to take the photos as well as one method to produce them in Photoshop. I was inspired by this how to and produced this image.
Good stitching job, Morris, and an interesting sequence.
I don't know about east coast birds, but from my experiences in Oregon- the red-winged blackbirds chase each other around (enthusiastically) in a non-contact manner while establishing their nesting territories. After the boundaries have been set and nesting has begun, they (usually males, but not always) seriously attack and chase away only predator birds such as GBH, egrets, crows and bald eagles. And they only do it when nesting or while their young are still learning the "ropes." After their young have become competent, the red-wings never bother anybody.
I've spent hours watching these particular behaviors at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge in central Willamette Valley.
Others may have observed entirely different behaviors, I suppose.
Charlie
Hi Morris, Beautiful shot and stitching was a great idea. I once saw Red-wings attack several swan shaped paddle boats on a small reed-lined lake in an amusement park, much to the horror of the (mostly Moms and Tots) passengers. I think it really is territorial!
