Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)

Great-tailed Grackle
Quiscalus mexicanus

The *Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)* is not typically thought of as a photographic subject, but occasionally one will present a nice composition. While sitting in a float tube blind waiting to photograph a Least Bittern on a Kenedy Co., Texas ranch, this female Great-tailed Grackle paused in the cattails as she approached her nest. I was able to get several photos in the warm evening light. This particular photo won 1st place in the oriole and blackbird division of the Valley Land Fund 2000 Wildlife Photo Contest. The shot was taken in June, 2000 with a Canon EOS 1N & EF 300mm F2.8L lens with a 2X extender from a float tube blind on Fuji Velvia pushed one stop.
The male Great-tailed Grackle here was photographed at a small south Texas water hole in Hidalgo Co., during April, 2006, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender.
The vocalizing male Great-tailed Grackle on the right was calling from the top of a Texas Ebony at Santa Ana N.W.R., Hidalgo Co., Texas, in June, 2006. It was photographed with the same gear as the male just above.
The next five images show a male Great-tailed Grackle displaying. These shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and an EF 500mm F/4 L IS lens on South Padre Island, Cameron Co., Texas, in April, 2009.




Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus male Lake Walter E. Long, Austin, Travis Co., Texas 24 December 2013