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Bird of the Day, theme 'Iridescence'

natureSep 10, 202620212,609

Bird of the Day is a daily community theme and today’s prompt is Iridescence, with an alternate theme of Black-and-White. Contributors are posting nature photography that spotlights shifting, light-dependent colors and high-contrast plumage, from hummingbirds and starlings to common waterfowl. Notable entries include a Broad-billed Hummingbird photographed in Madera Canyon, a male Mallard showing its iridescent green head and blue speculum, and a White-Faced Ibis caught with sunlight revealing a spectrum of colors. The alt Black-and-White stream features a Black-and-white Warbler, snowy owl references, and coastal alcids like puffin, spectacled guillemot, and razorbill.

Headshot of a male tree swallow, showing blue iridescent feathers on top of the head, neck, back and shoulder. The throat and chest are white and lore is black. The beak is slightly opened and whiskers are visible.
@pacbirds.bsky.social921
A small bird with black and white striped plumage perched on a branch against a soft green background. Photographed in Barkhamsted, Connecticut.
@birdsbyalex.bsky.social649
Morning A Broad Billed Hummingbird waving hello from Madera Canyon, Arizona.
@gleng.bsky.social637
Common grackle with iridescent colors of bronze, blue, purple and black feathers perched in a tree.
@leciamichelle.bsky.social617
Glossy blue bird with a bright yellow eye perched on a weathered branch against a soft, blurred background.
@mikemelton.bsky.social413
alt | &White | I went with the alt theme! Black-and-white Warbler from many Aprils ago.
@marklevinephotos.bsky.social368
A snowy owl stares at the camera. There is a tree trunk cutting off the side of the bird
@amygann.bsky.social349
Good morning folks. Today's theme is , any bird whose colour changes with light on them. The Alt theme is &White bird whose main plumage is Black & White.
@robcrank68.bsky.social306
Today's theme is , any bird whose colour changes with light on them - so many beautiful birds to choose from and chosen the wonderful Barn Swallow - Photo taken
@fraggenstein.bsky.social304
A head shot of a duck with a shiny green head and neck and a big yellow bill. He’s very handsome.
@gettoknownature.bsky.social286
A photo of a male violet-backed starling, or amethyst starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster), perched high on a thin brown branch. It's a relatively small starling with gleaming iridescent violet and purple feathers covering its head, back, and wings, contrasting with bright white underparts and a yellow eye. It faces toward the left of frame with a pale blue background behind it.
@hlkfotos.com203
A bird with a long beak flying in the sky. It's body is reddish-brown and its feathers are a rainbow of colour as they get lit up by the sun.
@timosborne.ca190
A close-up, chest-up portrait shows a rock pigeon facing left against a soft, blurry green backdrop. The bird’s head is covered in smooth, charcoal-gray feathers. Its eye is a striking coppery-orange ring with a black pupil, positioned high on the head. At the base of its dark, downward-curving beak sits a prominent, crusty, light-brown cere (the fleshy swelling above the nostrils) with a rough, textured surface. The feathers below the chin transition into a dense, fluffy ruff. They shimmer with iridescent purple and green highlights that catch the light, wrapping around the neck like a glossy collar. The lower part of the body features layered, light blue-gray feathers. Each feather is cleanly defined, creating a soft, overlapping pattern across the chest and wing. The pigeon dominates the frame, viewed slightly from the side to highlight its profile. The bright, out-of-focus foliage background makes the bird’s dark head and shimmering neck colors stand out vividly.
@pirjosundqvist.bsky.social177
A kingfisher on a perch protruding from the water sideways on and quietly looking up to the left above still blue water.
@ronm123photo.bsky.social185
Sorry I'm very late to the party today but Rob has said that is with an alt' theme of &White. I've gone with the alt' theme but showing my husband's photos of a
@onlyme56.bsky.social169
Pheasant
@thegardenjungle.bsky.social161
A Close up shot of a Male Mallard on the water in bright sunshine. The bird is only visible at the head, neck and first half of the body. It is facing left with its right side showing and takes up the bottom right of the frame. It has a bright yellow bill with a black tip, the bill is glossy and has a drop of water falling off it. It head is dark in colour and flashing glossy, iridescent bottle-green along the cheek and neck, droplets of water can be seen dotted along the head and neck. The neck and body are separated by a thin white collar, the breast is a maroon brown, the back is grey dotted with patches of brown and the sides are grey. The sunshine is shining from the left and highlighting the birds bill, front of the head and sides. The rest of the frame is of lake water, covered in small waves and turbulence and with a mirror-like, metallic sheen from the sunlight.
@atlanticbirding.bsky.social163
Mallard Ducks at Waggoners Wells, a local beauty spot in the Surrey Hills, today.
@laurette1.bsky.social141
Madge the Magpie scoring me a twofer I hope. &White
@aintright.bsky.social143
A female Black-and-white Warbler is perched facing right near the end of a rough, weathered wood snag jutting out from the left. She is, as the names implies, black and white with two white wing bars, a white eyebrow stripe, and a streaked breast and underside. The background is rich, dark green and there is a small, single green stem coming up from the bottom of the frame with a tiny, bright blue flower.
@christinae.bsky.social137
Rob @robcrank68.bsky.social has said the theme is - any bird whose color changes with light on them. (Posted previously) Here’s a drake standing on a wooden pie
@belleab.bsky.social123
Mallard chicks frolicking under mother's watchful eye. This was in the first light of the day at our local pond here in the Dublin suburbs. Early summer on a day where I couldn't sleep so I ended up wandering the park at 6 in the morning. I'm happy to report that most (unfortunately not all) chicks are thriving.
@denterrick.bsky.social123
A stunning red junglefowl rooster standing in front of a chalkboard with soda prices and hours written in French. The rooster's body is facing left, but his head is turned to look at the sign. He has a golden head, a dark brown iridescent body, and wings that are bright red, then dark brown, then an orange-brown. His spectacular tail has long feathers that are dark with puprple and blue iridescence.
@handcranked.bsky.social110
A smew sitting on a slightly wavey sea
@tramo.bsky.social104
Eurasian Magpie on a dead branch
@martinsepion.bsky.social99
Male Anna’s hummingbird is perched on a branch in the sunshine with blue sky in the background of the photograph.
@simmcewen.bsky.social105
Male mallard rising from the water, wings extended and forward. Iridescent green head and blue speculum feathers
@clinty1.bsky.social110
A European starling, perching on a slanted metal pole facing front right, displays its iridescent green, purple and blue feather around its breast, neck and head.
@steddybirds.bsky.social91
A Marsh Tit perched on a sloping branch, facing left. Its black cap and throat patch, pale cheeks and underparts, and slender dark bill are visible. The background is softly blurred green foliage. 斜めに伸びた枝に、左を向いたハシブトガラがとまっている。黒い頭頂部と喉、淡色の頬と下面、細い黒っぽいくちばしが見える。背景は緑色の葉がぼけている。
@toritorihkd.bsky.social92
A beautiful Magpie picks some nuts from the grass that the squirrel left behind
@marjosl.eurosky.social77

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Bird of the Day, theme 'Iridescence'nature