Boat-tailed Grackle

This adaptable species is often seen in parking lots, so it was great to find this male singing from a natural perch in proper habitat. Many photographers overlooks this ostensibly black bird in favor of higher contrast or more colorful species, but I love how direct sunlight reveals their beautiful purple-blue sheen. This is a shot the birder in me has wanted for a very long time. My only other shot of this species depicts an individual walking around on the ground, so this is a nicer step forward.

Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Delray Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, 2/8/23
Canon 600mm f/4 IS II on EOS R5
1/1000 at f/8, ISO 1000