Loggerhead Shrike...

[jprzybyla]

I photographed this bird yesterday. It is a songbird that acts like a bird of prey. It has the hooked beak of a raptor but it feet are weak not having the strength of the talons of a hawk. This leads to an interesting activity of this bird. When it catches prey (whether a large insect or lizard) it impales the prey on either barbed wire or a thorn. It then perches next to the impaled prey and proceeds to tear it apart, eating it. The activity of impaling and tearing apart its prey leads to the nickname of Butcher Bird for this bird.

[Geoff F]

Perfect photo, Joe; even has good feather detail.

[jprzybyla]

Perfect photo, Joe; even has good feather detail.

Thanks Geoff, I value and appreciate your comment.

[Dave Humphries]

What Geoff said

Great shot

[Bobobird]

Feather counting bird shot. That is getting close. Well done and nicely caught.

[jprzybyla]

What Geoff said

Great shot

Thanks Dave, I always appreciate you viewing and commenting on my images. In the past your advice and critique has enabled me to become a better photographer.

[jprzybyla]

Feather counting bird shot. That is getting close. Well done and nicely caught.

Thanks Bobo, your comment is appreciated. When the bird is ten to fifteen feet away I would be disappointed if I had not captured the feather detail. That said I think it speaks to how good the Nikon 55-300 mm can be. Many sneer at it, but I love it for it's light weight and small size. Keep shooting my friend... love your Ospreys you recently posted.

[FrankMi]

Really nice capture Joe! I use the 55-300mm as well and love it.

[jprzybyla]

Really nice capture Joe! I use the 55-300mm as well and love it.

Thank you Frank, I appreciate you taking time to view my image and comment.

[JPS]

Hi Joe,
well done, great shot.

[waha]

Your description of this bird's life style is as interesting as your photo is excellent, but I must take issue with this feathered fowl's MO. Can't we al just get along?

[jprzybyla]

Hi Joe,
well done, great shot.

Thanks John, I appreciate you viewing and commenting.

[jprzybyla]

Your description of this bird's life style is as interesting as your photo is excellent, but I must take issue with this feathered fowl's MO. Can't we al just get along?

Thanks Wayne, one would hope we could find a way but sometimes it seems impossible.