White Headed Bohemian Waxwing ( Partial Leucistic?)

[Gary Fairhead]

This was one of many Bohemian Waxwings we saw on Saturday. This one stood out with his/her white head....Not sure if this is a lack of pigmentation but I don't know what else it could be. The bird's yellow tip on the tail seems pale as well but that may be a juvenile trait...lt doesen't explain the crest.

Canon 30D 400 F5.6, 580EX

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/New%20Birds/Blonde.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/New%20Birds/Blonde2.jpg

[jlcarnagey]

Great shots of a beautiful bird.

[ZipDude66]

Now there's a looker! Good stuff Gary.

[aligater]

Two cracking shots Gary, super detail and nicely exposed.

[sugarzebra]

Perfect timing on that first shot Gary. The hypopigmentation of the crest actually is quite flattering on this bird, probably because only a small area is affected....usually partial leucism makes animals look worse. I checked in three different books and none mention white crests in Bohemian or Cedar Waxwings, so I'm assuming this isn't just a normal variant. Great catch Gary.

[Paul A]

Playing catch with its food, beautiful bird, excellent work.

[RandyMays]

One of my favorite birds Gary. Nice... I get the Cedar flavor in Nebraska.

[guitarman3]

Real nice shots Gary! Love the open beak in the top one.

[downywp]

Such a beautiful bird, and really cool looking with that white crest - Excellent work!:)

[Roy C]

What a beauty Gary - couple of lovely images.

[Sindri Skulason]

Stunning shots of this beautiful bird. Love the timing in the first one...and the second shot...WOW. Excellent work as always Gary. :-)

[Blackburnian]

Great shots of this one Gary...

Could of had something to due with that bleach bottle on the snow?

[busbyea]

Very different looking with the white crest.

You presented it beautifully Gary.

[D.C.]

Great pics Gary. I like these birds. Only in our area as they pass thru.

[village idiot]

I would love to see one of these! Very nice shots (love the first one!)

[Najo]

Very nice shot, these are beutiful birds. Maybe the gray hair is setting in, we all grow old! :)

[T.D.]

Beautiful images!

I love the composition with the berries.

[tom ryan]

Stunning bird...well captured...I sure would like to see one. Well Done Gary!
...tom

[aflues]

A beautiful bird. Well done.

[dancad]

Very stylish guy! I'm sure it is partially leucistic as the thin white stripe below the "wax" and extending to the tip of the wing is also normally yellow. Very cool sighting, Gary!

[Gary Fairhead]

Perfect timing on that first shot Gary. The hypopigmentation of the crest actually is quite flattering on this bird, probably because only a small area is affected....usually partial leucism makes animals look worse. I checked in three different books and none mention white crests in Bohemian or Cedar Waxwings, so I'm assuming this isn't just a normal variant. Great catch Gary.

Thanks Scott for looking and for the info..:D

[Gary Fairhead]

Great shots of this one Gary...

Could of had something to due with that bleach bottle on the snow?


Thanks Marc and here I though she was a natural blonde all this time:rolleyes:

[Gary Fairhead]

quote=dancad;4460637]Very stylish guy! I'm sure it is partially leucistic as the thin white stripe below the "wax" and extending to the tip of the wing is also normally yellow. Very cool sighting, Gary![/quote]
[

That is one excellent observation Dan..Thanks and see you soon:D


And a big thank you to everyone who looked and took the time to comment:D

[Anke]

Beautiful, Gary. Beautiful.

[jorj7]

Very nice photos of a beautiful bird.

[EdV]

Its probably from a bottle, Gary! :lol:

Superb shots, Gary. We have lots of Cedar Waxwings down this way but I have never seen a Bohemian. Beautiful bird captured beautifully!

[hTr]

Gary, These are Outstanding You have a set of images that most Envy me Included.

These are the best I've seen

[slartibardfast]

Love the shots- only a small thing but if you could crop a little less around his tail on the top shot and does the second one appear a little soft around his eye, or is it my eyes playing up again

Andy

[Stephen Stephen]

Gary I'm glad that I didn't miss these shots. Very nice.

[Booswalia]

Magnificent, Gary. They should all trade their crests in for a white one. :)

[Gary Fairhead]

Love the shots- only a small thing but if you could crop a little less around his tail on the top shot and does the second one appear a little soft around his eye, or is it my eyes playing up again

Andy

Thanks for the comments:D The first image is full frame..absolutely no cropping whatsoever so there is not much I can do unless I added canvass. The second image is approx 80% of full frame and there is some softness in the head area so your eyes are working fine. I have done a doule pass of USM and that I think is ts limit. Thanks again!

And thanks to everyone else who commented...sorry for the delay but I am a litlle pressed for time lately..Thanks again:D

[EdwardF]

Your timing was perfect on the first shot, Gary.
Both shots are beauties. !

[vpnd]

reminds me of a Tom Mangelson. Nice shot

[catsith]

i just love your work gary, top stuff as always. I've missed seeing them. Just got very busy, time to slow down. I had my holiday in canada, 3 months ago now, got some great shots too, but none like these!

[Gary Fairhead]

Your timing was perfect on the first shot, Gary.
Both shots are beauties. !


:DThanks Ed...Timing assited with a little luck maybe:D

vpndreminds me of a Tom Mangelson. Nice shot

Thanks and I can only wish to get that good:D

catsithi just love your work gary, top stuff as always. I've missed seeing them. Just got very busy, time to slow down. I had my holiday in canada, 3 months ago now, got some great shots too, but none like these!

Tina....so good to hear from you. I hope you had a great holiday in Canada. I would love to visit Australia some day but like this country I would probably need a year or more to see the best sites. Take care and looking forward to seeing some og your work.

[Aray_Of_Art]

Really beautiful shots! I love the colors!

[gymell]

Very unique looking bird - maybe you've discovered a new species! I love waxwings. This one is looking a little plump, too. ;)

[kolok]

What sort of berry bush is that?

[canonloader]

Great shots Gary. Really crisp and clear.

White streak? He's getting old, like all of us. ;)

[Gary Fairhead]

Really beautiful shots! I love the colors!

Thanks for the wonderful comment:D

Very unique looking bird - maybe you've discovered a new species! I love waxwings. This one is looking a little plump, too. ;)

A little fluffed up from the cold I suppose Liz but then again they are voracious eaters so he could be putting on some weight:D

What sort of berry bush is that?

Not sure exactly...some call them cherry trees but I think its an ornamental crab apple or similar. While these birds gulp them down, the Pine Grosbeaks appear to be extracing seeds from whitin.

Great shots Gary. Really crisp and clear.

White streak? He's getting old, like all of us. ;)

Thanks Mitch and i think this one is prematurely gry:rolleyes:

[MDoc]

Wow Gary those look like paintings - superb!