Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

British Columbia Sport & Outdoor Lounge => Outdoor Photography => Topic started by: DragonSpeed on February 01, 2010, 08:39:27 AM

Title: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on February 01, 2010, 08:39:27 AM: While technically, they fall under 2009 Birds, it's already February so 2010 it is :)
=-=-=-=-=-
I realised that I hadn't gone through a bunch of my photos from a camp with my Scouts back in December. We were out at Manning Provincial Park, camping in the snow! It was a great weekend. Temps were cold, but manageable. As usual, it didn't take long for the "camp robbers" to come out. Here are a few of them:

1) Sitting in the tree - considering coming down
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/0fd/0fd38c76b3314b3dde8c8951643af4b4_2f7.jpg)

2) Moments later this guy would be down eating from a hand.
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/d7b/d7b3f31110eb4659a8aa25d512ce146c_79c.jpg)

3) Is a bird in the hand really worth two in the bush?
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/11c/11c3680dd93cbf2a11bb766788eeb0bd_547.jpg)

4) Looking for food
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/83f/83f8c61e82267cb6315adb4ac7f962b0_fc7.jpg)

5) Escaping with the goods
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/c56/c56908e633c7adec5768dcbcfb8c5b2f_250.jpg)

6) Not everyone was so happy with them landing ;)
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/ff5/ff5d0978e661880f38bef09e1729f954_5ea.jpg)

7) One of our venturers posing with a new found friend
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/f37/f37c46ef9dd620bc5b8b421f031071f9_c4e.jpg)

I'll have some pictures of actual camp life up later, but the birds are always high on my list. I hope you enjoyed them!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Eagleye on February 01, 2010, 06:01:20 PM: (http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g134/_Eagleye_/IMG_5585woodpeckervar1.jpg)
Downy Woodpecker

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g134/_Eagleye_/IMG_5672-PS.jpg)
~~Towee~~ Dark-Eyed Junco
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on February 01, 2010, 06:59:17 PM: Your Towhee somehow morphed into a Dark-Eyed Junco (Oregon subvariety) :)

Cute little Downy. They are so small (as far as woodpeckers go)

Cheers!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Eagleye on February 01, 2010, 11:14:01 PM: Thanks for the info!

Here is another Dark-Eyed Junco

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g134/_Eagleye_/IMG_5609PS-email.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on February 02, 2010, 08:12:54 AM: Bingo!

Did you know that these guys summer up at 7000' and only come down to the lower altitudes in winter? They really prefer the colder weather.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Eagleye on February 09, 2010, 08:29:01 AM: I managed to get really close this time

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g134/_Eagleye_/IMG_5911-email.jpg)
Downy Woodpecker
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on February 09, 2010, 08:56:27 AM: Nice work on Mr. Downy. We have a few Downies that come by. They really do become quite tame almost if you approach them slowly all the time.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Eagleye on February 09, 2010, 09:06:31 AM: Thanks. Yeah I crept up on him slowly while taking photos at one point it flew away but then came back 15 minutes later and I managed to get even closer until I made a sudden movement.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on March 06, 2010, 06:53:20 PM: (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4411953035_dd4b884826_o.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4412721518_1eb108b845_o.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4411953273_914fb987a1_o.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2763/4411953359_846dd2821e_o.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2760/4411953585_c21c8a2cb0_o.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4411953727_22fd5c3edd_o.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4412722208_66c78fd913_o.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4412722362_5547a9432f_o.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on March 09, 2010, 12:03:48 AM: I love the Pintails... to bad they'll be heading back up to Northern Saskatchewan soon :(
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on March 09, 2010, 09:59:08 AM: Quote from: DragonSpeed on March 09, 2010, 12:03:48 AM
I love the Pintails... to bad they'll be heading back up to Northern Saskatchewan soon :(

Yeah me too....they have a cool manner about them too, fits the way they look for some reason.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on March 13, 2010, 08:51:37 PM: It’s always nice when you get visitors on a dull day. I’ve been moping around home with cold for a couple of days now. It’s nice when this guy and gal come to visit:

Mr Northern Flicker
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/e1c/e1c2a502cf16ea8c22ae76f4e0199217.jpg)

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/cf3/cf3ee913fd89fd1bc053069f085935ee.jpg)
Mrs Downy Woodpecker
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/e16/e16a86204ae175978d594a2225350067.jpg)
Both birds shot at ISO 1600 @400mm with my Canon 50D.
I just put the Hummingbird feeder out today… let’s see if they start coming by to pose (http://s.wordpress.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on March 21, 2010, 11:37:28 PM: From today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne68KUOk6oQ
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on March 22, 2010, 12:30:18 AM: Technically, that's a "Dark Eyed Junco" Oregon subvariety.

Here is one from yesterday:

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/532/532d5cfe18d8b51d1317cb66ad54b50a_c83.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on March 22, 2010, 12:34:07 AM: My first goldfinches for the year.

They're back! American Goldfinches:
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/f96/f967cee36d18b0fa39e0a5a5a2b2cada_f2d.jpg)

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/254/254ffeac17c3c676ee7d0f5f44e7e2eb_d30.jpg)

Also had a hummer to the feeder today, but s/he didn't feel like posing :(
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Eagleye on March 25, 2010, 11:16:38 AM: Nice Shots DS I especially like the first finch pic

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g134/_Eagleye_/IMG_6062-PS1-crop2-vivezaasSmartObj.jpg) (http://s55.photobucket.com/albums/g134/_Eagleye_/?action=view&current=IMG_6062-PS1-crop2-vivezaasSmartObj.jpg)

Dark Eyed Junco

Taken with 1.4X tele extender on 300mm lens using manual focus ISO 400 1/40 handheld.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on March 25, 2010, 01:51:17 PM: Quote from: DragonSpeed on March 22, 2010, 12:34:07 AM
My first goldfinches for the year.

Are goldfinches limited to elevated areas or can we expect to see them in Richmond too?

Here's today's video. House finch?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfZ4OyO7ATA

Here's a pic from yesterday.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4461917592_a0b207f0f9_o.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on March 25, 2010, 03:40:28 PM: Quote from: Eagleye on March 25, 2010, 11:16:38 AM
Nice Shots DS I especially like the first finch pic

Dark Eyed Junco

Taken with 1.4X tele extender on 300mm lens using manual focus ISO 400 1/40 handheld.
You'll get much sharper shots if you try to keep your shutter speed at 1/focal length... i.e. at least 1/420s. MF isn't going to do you many favours either if you're shooting at this range. If you have an "AI Servo" option, that's your best friend.

That being said, the bokeh on the shot is quite lovely. If only they would pose like that on branches :)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on March 25, 2010, 03:46:22 PM: Quote from: Rodney on March 25, 2010, 01:51:17 PM
Are goldfinches limited to elevated areas or can we expect to see them in Richmond too?
No, you should definitely see them if you have the right food. (They apparently LOVE black nijer seeds). Mine come and enjoy the sunflower chips.

Quote
Here's today's video. House finch?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfZ4OyO7ATA
Yup. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/finchIDtable.html

Quote
Here's a pic from yesterday.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4461917592_a0b207f0f9_o.jpg)
Redbreasted Nuthatch. They'll like your peanuts. They are cute little birds to watch on the feeder. They run around "upside down" Headfirst down the feeder or tree :)
An action shot:
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/5d5/5d5931246189be11e50c50c89cba4d35.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Eagleye on March 25, 2010, 04:32:21 PM: Quote from: DragonSpeed on March 25, 2010, 03:40:28 PM
You'll get much sharper shots if you try to keep your shutter speed at 1/focal length... i.e. at least 1/420s.

Thanks for the tip

Quote
MF isn't going to do you many favours either if you're shooting at this range. If you have an "AI Servo" option, that's your best friend.

That being said, the bokeh on the shot is quite lovely. If only they would pose like that on branches :)

My 1.4X extender requires alot of light to use auto focus or else it hunts too much resulting in too many missed opportunities so sometimes I have to use manual focus.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on March 25, 2010, 06:01:11 PM: Here's a pair of female house finch from this afternoon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqLG8QjcI-0
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on March 25, 2010, 10:08:50 PM: Male House Finch:
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/7a3/7a353c2886851c5881bb7dc044a4f465.jpg)

Pine Siskin:
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/a67/a677228533e5e8f197718dd82e2200a6.jpg)

The ubiquitous Black Capped Chickadee:
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/cfb/cfbb32d144341a711f8016d6658e8199.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on March 26, 2010, 06:11:09 PM: That first photo of the male house finch is awesome.

Here are some from this afternoon.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4466157368_c01393dc55_o.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/4465380593_27bf82686e_o.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2710/4465380645_7afa202530_o.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2790/4465380687_40d4b4c458_o.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2787/4465380743_2ac8dff1cb_o.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on March 28, 2010, 01:30:53 AM: Lucky you... the Bush Tits NEVER let me shoot them.

The Junco is really nice and sharp.

Was down at Burnaby Lake this aft... shot 500 shots... hopefully something worth posting...
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on March 29, 2010, 12:54:52 AM: A few quick ones of a male green winged teal:

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/3db/3db5c704e2ef2f2005a18eacf337fd9f.jpg)

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/0b3/0b3f5766044884991ff9c46221c8308a.jpg)

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/62a/62acf644c20497f2defb40d20b358778.jpg)

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/648/648effe5e955467d8adfc6e8665cf908.jpg)

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/845/845a2f956587edca484b41ba8c30c126.jpg)

And still so many more to filter through from Saturday :(
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on March 29, 2010, 09:53:42 AM: Beauties DS!!

I love the first and second ones. First is such a classic duck shot and the second you can tell he's on the move.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Buck_wife on April 02, 2010, 07:06:35 PM: we've had a few hummers at the feeder here too. Haven't had anything yet at the seed feeder though!! We've had to move our feeder though, since we are building another house in the spot where our feeder originally was, so maybe they're all confused & stuff. ;)
Rod: you should get a hummer feeder. makes for some awesome pics and some massive fights!! we've had at least 2 die and about 4 were knocked on the deck out for a while by other hummers, they are soooooo possessive over the feeder. The nectar is easy and cheap. 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. I usually just make one cup a week, 1/4 c sugar & 1 cup boiling water.

ps: is it possible that the seed is 'old'? it is last year's seed, but was kept in a rubbermaid container in the garage, so the mice and squirrels can't sneak into it while the garage door is open..........learned our lesson the first year we lived here!! :D
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on April 03, 2010, 04:04:45 PM: Hmm, can we get hummingbirds in flat richmond?

here's today's junco feed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrTRxHW952o
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on April 03, 2010, 05:11:34 PM: Quote from: Rodney on April 03, 2010, 04:04:45 PM
Hmm, can we get hummingbirds in flat richmond?

here's today's junco feed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrTRxHW952o
I was just over at the nature park watching a few hummers feeding. - Yes, you definitely get them around richmond. Get the feeder out soon, or they'll not bother coming by.
Quote from: Buck_wife on April 02, 2010, 07:06:35 PM
ps: is it possible that the seed is 'old'? it is last year's seed, but was kept in a rubbermaid container in the garage, so the mice and squirrels can't sneak into it while the garage door is open..........learned our lesson the first year we lived here!! :D
Does it have a "moldy" smell? How do you keep seed so long? I go through a 20lb bag in about one month or less.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Buck_wife on April 03, 2010, 08:54:01 PM: well it was a new bag bought at the end of the summer, we don't put seed out in the winter.....too cold to walk to the feeder, lol.
although, now that it is on the deck, it should be ok. ;)
it doesn't smell moldy, just smells uhm ......'bird seedy' , so its probably ok, just need to be patient. I also added black sunflowers to it the other day, i guess i will just have to be patient.
a stellar jay came to check it out today, haven't had anything else yet.
bought a nyger seed feeder yesterday, so need to get that out asap.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Buck_wife on April 03, 2010, 08:56:53 PM: k, i really need to preview before i post......i suppose i should be more patient........ :P
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: leadbelly on April 10, 2010, 08:39:48 AM: (http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs428.snc3/24695_381651542750_697292750_4284133_7577302_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs428.snc3/24695_381651432750_697292750_4284115_2022572_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs448.ash1/24695_381651382750_697292750_4284107_5952841_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs428.snc3/24695_381651467750_697292750_4284120_1807945_n.jpg)
just a few from a recent cabin trip
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on April 11, 2010, 10:57:04 AM: I like the Clarke's Nutcrackers. They are comical birds.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on April 11, 2010, 10:57:41 AM: I was down at the local lake shooting the usual suspects when I noticed that the grass at the edge was moving... sure enough it was a GBH slowly stalking the little fish.

Not all stabs at the water are successful:
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/b9d/b9d9b905f62c2ba9ff3389c56f0d2390.jpg)

So, you wait and watch:
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/8bf/8bf88a7397de75d97e54aada68cd02c6.jpg)

Success!
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/352/352a4dc2451a6cb7444a159d22bb594a.jpg)

Of course the joy of hanging out at an urban lake means that little kids come around screaming... scaring away my fisherman - right past me:

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/df9/df91208174962bb6aabe5e83699c82e0.jpg)

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/49a/49a97f67fdeb457203d7a7764afb48a5.jpg)

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/547/547a05e8088e7cf01960b0714c8699a6.jpg)

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/7fe/7fea02aa9e6b9950dc810bb42fe8b2a2.jpg)

Truly a beautiful and graceful bird that just needs to work on that call that sounds like he's choking ;)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on April 12, 2010, 02:55:55 PM: This is NOT an overlay shot. :)

It looked like rush hour at O'Hare:
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/aef/aef76585b0b61fa3e979170daed4c413_7cb.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on April 12, 2010, 05:33:30 PM: Great shots of the heron in flight DS....4th and 5th one down especially.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on April 13, 2010, 07:13:51 PM: (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4519750458_09b0153dce_o.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4519121105_0397eef7fc_o.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on April 19, 2010, 11:04:28 AM: These are from Richmond Nature Park.

What's the first one? We can't seem to find it in the ID book.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4535571536_186e838c07_o.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4535571610_06fd1bae62_o.jpg)

We couldn't get close enough to the hummingbirds.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2765/4534938205_af6d93237f_o.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2768/4535571822_d59ab7b78d_o.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Funeral Of Hearts on April 19, 2010, 12:48:23 PM: Thought id add some bird photos...

A turkey in Castlegar (West Kootenays)

(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h152/Raven2k/IMG_4888.jpg)

random birds, most of which i don't know the name of

(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h152/Raven2k/DSC_4604.jpg)

(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h152/Raven2k/DSC_0779.jpg)

(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h152/Raven2k/DSC_0736.jpg)

(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h152/Raven2k/DSC_0097.jpg)

(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h152/Raven2k/DSC_0080.jpg)

(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h152/Raven2k/DSC_0040.jpg)

(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h152/Raven2k/029.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Eagleye on April 19, 2010, 01:59:41 PM: Quote from: Rodney on April 19, 2010, 11:04:28 AM
These are from Richmond Nature Park.

What's the first one? We can't seem to find it in the ID book.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4535571536_186e838c07_o.jpg)

Looks like a Spotted Towhee. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/spotted-towhee/
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on April 19, 2010, 04:13:02 PM: Quote from: Eagleye on April 19, 2010, 01:59:41 PM
Looks like a Spotted Towhee. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/spotted-towhee/
Yup.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on April 19, 2010, 04:29:22 PM: Quote from: Funeral Of Hearts on April 19, 2010, 12:48:23 PM
Thought id add some bird photos...

A turkey in Castlegar (West Kootenays)

(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h152/Raven2k/IMG_4888.jpg)

random birds, most of which i don't know the name of
Pileated Woodpecker - Female
Cedar Waxwing
Black capped Chickadee
Some shore bird
Black capped Chickadee
Clarkes Nutcracker
Likely a red-tailed hawk
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: wizard on April 20, 2010, 05:51:56 PM: I really enjoy this thread, great shots everyone!
Dragonspeed, the shot of the bird of prey flying above looks to be an osprey...?
wood duck is an amazing bird. look at all that iridescence, those would be great for fly tying...
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on April 21, 2010, 12:04:52 AM: Quote from: wizard on April 20, 2010, 05:51:56 PM
I really enjoy this thread, great shots everyone!
Dragonspeed, the shot of the bird of prey flying above looks to be an osprey...?
I was thinking towards Osprey but wasn't sure due to the tail... thought it might be a young RTH.
[/quote]

Quote
wood duck is an amazing bird. look at all that iridescence, those would be great for fly tying...
There's a good fisherman coming through :)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on April 26, 2010, 10:36:05 PM: (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/4556515013_e03bcc987a_o.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on April 27, 2010, 08:43:38 AM: Quote from: Rodney on April 26, 2010, 10:36:05 PM
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/4556515013_e03bcc987a_o.jpg)
Wow - that's a lot of bushtits for this time of the year. Usually they are paired up by now and not in the usual winter "swarm" mode.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on April 27, 2010, 10:16:43 AM: Actually this was from a couple of months ago. ;) It only happened once so I just casually snapped a photo, thinking that it would be like that all the time.

Do you know where all the juncos have gone? We haven't seen any juncos or song sparrows in the backyard for a couple of weeks now. Nina thinks the seeds that we bought are poisonous. :P
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on April 27, 2010, 11:06:01 PM: Quote from: Rodney on April 27, 2010, 10:16:43 AM
Actually this was from a couple of months ago. ;) It only happened once so I just casually snapped a photo, thinking that it would be like that all the time.
Wintertime... spring they pair off and summer... who knows.
Quote
Do you know where all the juncos have gone? We haven't seen any juncos or song sparrows in the backyard for a couple of weeks now. Nina thinks the seeds that we bought are poisonous. :P
Juncos are at higher elevations. By summertime they'll be flitting around at 7000' Song sparrows are in and about but also busy making little song sparrows.
By far my most common customer now is the Pine Siskin (they could go north any time now!) and the goldfinches. Some housefinches too, but the chickadees are all busy doing the "birds and the bees" :)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on April 27, 2010, 11:20:22 PM: Interesting. All we have now are pairs of house finches flying down at a time and feeding together. Occasionally some chickadees come down too.

The other day I saw the first gold finch in the backyard. :)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on April 29, 2010, 01:30:37 PM: We've had lots of house finch around but this is the first close-up photo that I have gotten.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/4563458961_38b3619558_o.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on April 29, 2010, 04:31:21 PM: (http://www.fotothing.com/photos/4d6/4d6f2a20dffb26750cdafdbeb192edac.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on May 01, 2010, 11:11:52 PM: One of today's visitors It's a little bit noisy as I had to really pull up some shadows to get her to show nicely:

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/55c/55cb6d8da84c638e9751876aefb53a35_8c8.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on May 09, 2010, 06:19:09 PM: Female house finch or pine siskin?

(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1351/4593031765_82f93922a4_o.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: chris gadsden on May 09, 2010, 08:16:03 PM: Quote from: Rodney on May 09, 2010, 06:19:09 PM
Female house finch or pine siskin?

(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1351/4593031765_82f93922a4_o.jpg)
Maxine says it is a pine siskin.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on May 09, 2010, 09:03:51 PM: Excellent. ;D I was quite sure that it was a pine siskin. It behaved quite differently to the house finches, which all flew alway when I walked into the garden. The pine siskin just fed and looked at me while I walked closer to it.

Here are other ones from today.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/4593031601_c3de9c1662_o.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4593031497_b76f89defa_o.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: fly fisher on May 12, 2010, 08:59:27 PM: humming birds from today
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0281.jpg)
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0282.jpg)
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0284.jpg)
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0298.jpg)
mistery birds
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0287.jpg)
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0289.jpg)
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0295.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: fly fisher on May 12, 2010, 11:02:40 PM: does anyone know what the bottom three birds are
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on May 12, 2010, 11:12:31 PM: Quote from: fly fisher on May 12, 2010, 11:02:40 PM
does anyone know what the bottom three birds are

They look like two pine siskins and possibly a lesser goldfinch(?)

B.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on May 13, 2010, 06:21:38 AM: Quote from: DragonSpeed on May 12, 2010, 11:12:31 PM
They look like two pine siskins and possibly a lesser goldfinch(?)

B.
I stand corrected - the last is a male Wilson's Warbler according to an ornithologically inclined friend.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on May 13, 2010, 10:27:15 AM: Pretty good timing this morning. This one flew down when I just happened to be in the backyard and it stayed for 20 seconds. :)

American goldfinch?

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/4603895343_31f5c141ff_o.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on May 13, 2010, 03:43:29 PM: Quote from: Rodney on May 13, 2010, 10:27:15 AM
Pretty good timing this morning. This one flew down when I just happened to be in the backyard and it stayed for 20 seconds. :)

American goldfinch?
Yup!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: fly fisher on May 15, 2010, 09:34:07 PM: more humming birds
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0342.jpg)
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0326.jpg)
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0335.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on May 15, 2010, 10:29:50 PM: White-crowned sparrow.

(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1433/4609916629_7320c4af13_o.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on May 16, 2010, 09:41:49 AM: I was down near Denver this past week and work had me so busy, I thought I'd NEVER get out to shoot. Saturday morning gave me a brief opportunity and I wasn't disappointed. I got my first meadowlark:

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/a17/a173858a037360014c4365ce60899984_42b.jpg)

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/ab0/ab0868987cfd69049ae8ed2f5cd13a86_bba.jpg)

Such a lovely song!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: fly fisher on May 16, 2010, 11:45:17 PM: wood pecker of unknown species
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0387.jpg)
pecking
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0385.jpg)
eating
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0384.jpg)
robins
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0373.jpg)
looking for food
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0371.jpg)
mom or pop
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0392.jpg)
bed time
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0401-1.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: fly fisher on May 16, 2010, 11:49:03 PM: swallows
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0395-1.jpg)
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0398-1.jpg)
chickadee
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0352.jpg)
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0354.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on May 17, 2010, 12:20:07 AM: Without seeing more of the beak/head ratio, I'm going to guess downy woodpecker.
Your Chickadee is actually a dark-eyed Junco (Oregon subvariety)

Lovely barn swallows and robin chicks!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: fly fisher on May 17, 2010, 10:30:15 AM: Quote from: DragonSpeed on May 17, 2010, 12:20:07 AM
Without seeing more of the beak/head ratio, I'm going to guess downy woodpecker.
Your Chickadee is actually a dark-eyed Junco (Oregon subvariety)

Lovely barn swallows and robin chicks!
thanks for the help with the junco
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Eagleye on May 17, 2010, 11:20:27 AM: Ducklings at Central Park in Burnaby:

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g134/_Eagleye_/IMG_6703-email.jpg)

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g134/_Eagleye_/IMG_6540-PS1.jpg)

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g134/_Eagleye_/IMG_6953-email.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on May 19, 2010, 01:27:50 AM: More house finch. How come the feathers on the female's head so perky?

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4620195759_e5b1a7f9db_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3354/4620809554_7f23d0d738_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/4620195971_6554b84aac_o.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3360/4620809760_926808de48_o.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on May 19, 2010, 11:30:28 AM: Male American Goldfinch

A couple shots of this lovely little bird:

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/ead/eadfa6af37334f2c0a9c14e7863d35aa_0dc.jpg)

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/87c/87ccea9ed416a08581841f0ab06d98c6_c12.jpg)

Which of the two do _YOU_ prefer? I tend toward the second, more upright, but others have preferred the first.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on May 19, 2010, 01:25:09 PM: Female Ruby Throated Hummingbird

We seem to get a lot more female birds around the hummingbird feeder than males... Finally got one far enough from the actual feeder. They don't seem to like the sun :( Without much further ado, here she is:

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/712/7127bc557b8da3b7cbc60979cc7735ff_615.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on May 19, 2010, 04:21:47 PM: Quote from: DragonSpeed on May 19, 2010, 01:25:09 PM
Female Ruby Throated Hummingbird

We seem to get a lot more female birds around the hummingbird feeder than males... Finally got one far enough from the actual feeder. They don't seem to like the sun :( Without much further ado, here she is:

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/712/7127bc557b8da3b7cbc60979cc7735ff_615.jpg)

GREAT CAPTURE!!!!!!!! That is an awesome shot DS ;D

I love hummingbirds. I had a few visitors a couple weeks back but no more have showed up since. I think they must have been "passing through".

What a great shot that is DS..colors work very well against the background..brings out the greens... Just gorgeous!! hats off :)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on May 19, 2010, 04:23:44 PM: Quote from: Rodney on May 19, 2010, 01:27:50 AM
More house finch. How come the feathers on the female's head so perky?

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/4620195971_6554b84aac_o.jpg)

Looks like a lady I saw at home depot last week!!!!! Same hair! :D
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Eagleye on May 19, 2010, 06:57:03 PM: More ducklings

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g134/_Eagleye_/IMG_6886-email.jpg)

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g134/_Eagleye_/IMG_6888-email.jpg)

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g134/_Eagleye_/IMG_6897-email.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on May 19, 2010, 09:43:10 PM: Marmot - thanks!

Eagle - those are REALLY cute little ducklings! I've got a soft spot for ducklings ;)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: leadbelly on May 21, 2010, 11:56:33 AM: (http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs324.ash1/28337_396095022750_697292750_4626794_4545420_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs294.snc3/28337_396095037750_697292750_4626795_5451808_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs314.snc3/28337_396095047750_697292750_4626796_3869698_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs324.ash1/28337_396095012750_697292750_4626792_3692185_n.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on May 22, 2010, 01:40:47 PM: Quote from: DragonSpeed on May 19, 2010, 01:25:09 PM
Female Ruby Throated Hummingbird

We seem to get a lot more female birds around the hummingbird feeder than males... Finally got one far enough from the actual feeder. They don't seem to like the sun :( Without much further ado, here she is:

(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/712/7127bc557b8da3b7cbc60979cc7735ff_615.jpg)

You know what, this is not a ruby throated... she's a female rufous after looking closer...pretty sure anyways.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on May 22, 2010, 10:53:49 PM: Mamot - spot on... I noticed that just a bit ago too - was kind of hoping nobody would notice ;)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on May 22, 2010, 10:54:41 PM: Lead - down visiting at Reifel? I'm suprised you didn't get attacked by the cranes! :o
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: leadbelly on May 23, 2010, 08:05:57 AM: I was surprised to see such tame cranes.I never see them out in Pitt Polder where they they are supposed to nest.
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs511.ash1/30137_396590527750_697292750_4640127_6820270_n.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: leadbelly on May 25, 2010, 11:02:17 AM: (http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs544.ash1/31787_397148632750_697292750_4657787_6074053_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs634.snc3/31787_397148372750_697292750_4657784_6713755_n.jpg)
could not find the insect thread lol
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Eagleye on May 26, 2010, 08:10:58 AM: That bee picture is sic, I really like how the background matches the bee! Actually there is an insect thread http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=21243.0
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Nina on May 26, 2010, 10:13:30 AM: Quote from: Eagleye on May 26, 2010, 08:10:58 AM
That bee picture is sic, I really like how the background matches the bee! Actually there is an insect thread http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=21243.0

I'm pretty sure that's a wasp and not a bee ;)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on May 26, 2010, 10:24:13 AM: Quote from: leadbelly on May 23, 2010, 08:05:57 AM
I was surprised to see such tame cranes.I never see them out in Pitt Polder where they they are supposed to nest.
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs511.ash1/30137_396590527750_697292750_4640127_6820270_n.jpg)

They just look tame...

those cranes can get quite agressive. I had one jump up and down and flap towards me when I walked down a path it didn't want me to walk down (probably had little ones hiding in the grass). Pretty neat to see them so close though considering they are not too common of a species as far as I recall.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Eagleye on May 26, 2010, 11:08:09 AM: Quote from: Nina on May 26, 2010, 10:13:30 AM
I'm pretty sure that's a wasp and not a bee ;)

lol :-[ I will get it right one of these days...
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: fly fisher on May 27, 2010, 07:48:04 PM: male hummingbird (http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0449.jpg)
female ruby throated hummingbird stretching (http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0439.jpg)
same bird cleaning up (http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0437.jpg)
unknown bird
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0416.jpg)

woodpecker unknown type
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0440.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on May 27, 2010, 09:44:35 PM: Fly fisher that's a male and a female rufous you have there.. were they there together? They might be a pair :) Isn't the color on the male just crazy?? I was misidentifying them as the same right up until last week.

The woodpecker is red breasted sapsucker...pretty sure. I've never seen one even though they are fairly common.
http://whatbird.wbu.com/obj/332/overview/Red-breasted_Sapsucker.aspx

not sure if you care for identifying them but if you do, my mum who has been birding for 40+ years gave me a good tip thats helped me quite a bit... if you use illustrations rather than photos for ID'ing birds it can make the task easier as the illustrations are more "iconic" whereas photos will have a lot of variation. I still suck at ID'ing them while out, I have to take a pic and then look at it later most of the time.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: fly fisher on May 27, 2010, 11:47:25 PM: Quote from: marmot on May 27, 2010, 09:44:35 PM
Fly fisher that's a male and a female rufous you have there.. were they there together? They might be a pair :) Isn't the color on the male just crazy?? I was misidentifying them as the same right up until last week.

The woodpecker is red breasted sapsucker...pretty sure. I've never seen one even though they are fairly common.
http://whatbird.wbu.com/obj/332/overview/Red-breasted_Sapsucker.aspx

not sure if you care for identifying them but if you do, my mum who has been birding for 40+ years gave me a good tip thats helped me quite a bit... if you use illustrations rather than photos for ID'ing birds it can make the task easier as the illustrations are more "iconic" whereas photos will have a lot of variation. I still suck at ID'ing them while out, I have to take a pic and then look at it later most of the time.
i actually saw this guy first i snapped the pic he moved and out of nowhere another one lands in the same tree and they started going at it, the humming birds were chasing each other away from the feeder.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on May 27, 2010, 11:56:50 PM: Quote from: fly fisher on May 27, 2010, 11:47:25 PM
i actually saw this guy first i snapped the pic he moved and out of nowhere another one lands in the same tree and they started going at it, the humming birds were chasing each other away from the feeder.

I have a buddy who had "hummingbird wars" at his feeder last week.

hope this works:
http://www.clintonkallies.com/P1190282_b.MOV
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: fly fisher on May 28, 2010, 12:01:37 AM: i have a friend who has about 18 and they are viscous i think that if a bee goes by her feeder it is done. i will take picks this monday when at his house they guard the feeder.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on June 22, 2010, 05:06:48 PM: (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1367/4725433005_8fb3242295_b.jpg)

Ok has anyone seen this before? I took a few photos of this red wing blackbird on the weekend and at first i thought that's just a patch of different colour on the head. When I got home and took a look at all the photos, it looks like a big part of its head is missing. :o

(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1020/4726080366_6868f4e2fe_b.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on June 25, 2010, 03:59:45 PM: hahahaha....nice shot of the fly on the duck crap in that shot Rodney :D Nice pic other than that !!! ;)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: fly fisher on June 30, 2010, 05:39:23 PM: male hummer
(http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/missionlacrosseman/DSCF0483.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on July 01, 2010, 10:48:23 PM: (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4754315312_f118df5d56_b.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on July 04, 2010, 03:27:18 PM: (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4761460863_e64413ae62_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4761461093_ef271e1029_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4762093942_85c8a2abb0_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4761460963_9bc6d23b09_b.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on July 07, 2010, 04:46:41 PM: Great action shot Rodney!

Hopefully I can start posting some shots soon. I just got a new camera and my great uncle in quebec just sent me a box full of his old gear, including some really well kept vintage canon FD and FL lenses! Some real classics, I'm very excited. Got an adapter coming so it will fit my GF1 (micro4/3), then hopefully I can contribute some shots!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on July 20, 2010, 01:53:44 PM: A few bird shots accumulated over the last few days...

1) Harrier(?) being shown the door by a Barn Swallow:
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/bd5/bd5c37e997e30aaceeeeb97ce60a452b.jpg)

2)American Kestrel (courtesy of O.W.L. wildlife rescue organization)
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/662/662023f585bbf07466fae91752472aee.jpg)

3)Mexican Roadside Hawk (courtesy of O.W.L. wildlife rescue organization)
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/c3f/c3fbf5cf77147620fb6ac5c57251d93a.jpg)

4)Young House Finch with some funky eyebrows!
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/ff3/ff39a3d857257b9076d26b2f7a4e0452.jpg)

5)Female Rufous Hummingbird at our feeder
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/ff8/ff8fa285df498b4e66b1e85cdbb9f32d.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on July 23, 2010, 08:56:02 AM: A few more birds from a recent outing on the Sunshine Coast of BC - netting me two new birds!

Western Tanager (a first for me)
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/6d5/6d5a3ff059f1d0023e3aaf26ba10f4e7_0ef.jpg)

Alder (or Willow) Flycatcher (another first for me!)
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/e57/e57fcefe6632d9a3d35690157e543743_415.jpg)

Spotted Towhee
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/c11/c11235e29d6ad05f9c77d6de808b9d31_94d.jpg)

The classic American Robin
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/99c/99c85914de0c5053182873a653cc2c8c_b49.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on July 23, 2010, 10:06:20 AM: Great captures DS. Are you shooting handheld? I'm curious what lenses you are using.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on July 23, 2010, 10:44:15 AM: Quote from: marmot on July 23, 2010, 10:06:20 AM
Great captures DS. Are you shooting handheld? I'm curious what lenses you are using.
Thanks. I've been having some good bird luck recently.

Yes, all shots are handheld.

Canon 7D w/ 100-400mm lens (usually at 400mm)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on July 23, 2010, 03:12:07 PM: Four lovely visitors from this morning before I went off to work:

Female Rufous Hummingbird
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/6d3/6d3486d907a001e0b3b77f72cc3c3c1a_e7a.jpg)

Male American Goldfinch
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/c97/c97936f903e333471072d5ac50424688_357.jpg)

Young male House Finch giving some attitude to most anyone who'll listen. (probably something about the bad hair dryer??)
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/f26/f2686c02da1a4fce51255b67a11f1c11_fb6.jpg)

Male Blackheaded Grosbeak - becoming more and more common around my feeder this past week!
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/191/1919451cf695a96bb6a2751728b69473_c57.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on July 23, 2010, 03:57:00 PM: Very clean for handheld with a 400....impressed!!!!

I'm having a tough time, I'm shooting with lumix GF-1 (no image stab) and an old canon FD 200mm 3.5 prime. It works out to a 400mm with adapter, but with no image stab...so I have to keep my fstop at 3.5 to keep enough light with faster shutter speed, which gives super shallow DOF.... the problem is its manual focus too, so tight DOF +manual focus = quite the challenge!!! It's making me a better photographer though, so that's good.

Great cap on that female rufous, they are so pretty.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on July 23, 2010, 04:04:42 PM: I try to keep my shutter speed over 1/400 when I shoot at 400mm. The 7D is great at lower light. ISO 1250 is what some of these were shot at!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on July 24, 2010, 01:31:43 AM: What is wrong with that male house finch??? :o Looks like it fell in the washing machine.

Here's my latest house finch compilation vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e1V0rVFHdQ
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on July 24, 2010, 09:52:57 AM: Quote from: Rodney on July 24, 2010, 01:31:43 AM
What is wrong with that male house finch??? :o Looks like it fell in the washing machine.
LOL - no kidding!

Quote
Here's my latest house finch compilation vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e1V0rVFHdQ
Nice. For aesthetics sake you could put some kind of perch (piece of driftwood, old stump, branch stuck into the ground) about 5-6 feet from your feeder. It would let them land there and give you great photo/film ops without the actual feeder... Just a thought.

B.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on July 26, 2010, 12:02:53 AM: My house finch is kept away from the washing machine. ;D

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4829418471_a3993d1c84_b.jpg)

We have a family of white-crown sparrows in the yard right now, youngs are constantly feeding on the ground.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4830029272_9ba1d0a0ff_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4829418857_64464bb80b_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4829418705_d71056e520_b.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on July 26, 2010, 10:46:43 AM: Nice to see the White Crowned Sparrows... we don't have them up on the mountain.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: wizard on August 03, 2010, 03:57:25 PM: 1) Harrier(?) being shown the door by a Barn Swallow:
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/bd5/bd5c37e997e30aaceeeeb97ce60a452b.jpg)

Looks to be Male Coopers hawk....
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on August 04, 2010, 01:16:06 AM: I've compiled some video footages of black-capped chickadees.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4f90bNVzhQ
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on August 05, 2010, 09:46:44 AM: Quote from: wizard on August 03, 2010, 03:57:25 PM

1) Harrier(?) being shown the door by a Barn Swallow:

Looks to be Male Coopers hawk....
Quite right Wiz! I had been corrected by someone else but forgot to change the post. Coop it is :)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on August 18, 2010, 05:29:24 PM: Some West Coast Vancouver Island Birds

I was out in Ucluelet for 3 days last weekend. We stayed at the Black Rock Resort… What a great place!
Our room looked right out onto “Big Beach” and this gave me a great opportunity to go down and crawl in the seaweed to find a few sandpipers
Spotted Sandpiper:
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/4fc/4fc447c88e84171fac2e7a921d917cb9.jpg) (http://"http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/4905479649")
Least Sandpiper:
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/836/836cdf3db714094642f1dd30aefa7cfa.jpg) (http://"http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/4906068050/")
We also explored a bit up island and ended up at a place the locals call “The Blowhole”. While the blow hole didn’t really put much effort out for us, we did see some eagles (unfortunately the evening sun was BEHIND them). I scrambled like a mad a fool and managed to get on the sunny side of a pair of Black Oystercatchers. They are a funny looking bird and the beak seems out of proportion to the rest of the bird. Perhaps because it’s bright red. Here’s one:
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/54d/54df55c8dd072e7e05ff1f446a552ff9.jpg) (http://"http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/4906067628")
We also drove up to Tofino and checked out Long Beach with the hope of finding more shorebirds. The weather fogged in badly, but I did get this shot of a juvenile gull (species anyone?):
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/58a/58a954eb2a4d9baa1a90ded2eeec3f63.jpg) (http://"http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/4906067704")
It turned out to be a pretty good bird photo opportunity weekend. We had a great time and look forward to heading back again whenever we can get the time.
Thanks Ukee!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on August 21, 2010, 08:17:58 PM: (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4915041388_cbe89e9c2f_b.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on August 25, 2010, 10:12:39 PM: (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4928043837_5cd0d6dc35_b.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on August 26, 2010, 09:14:09 AM: Any pictures of the back of the bird?

My thoughts are either "Willow Flycatcher" or perhaps "Bushtit"
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on August 26, 2010, 06:24:06 PM: bushtit. :D Here are its friends. ;)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4930411231_61b2d982f6_b.jpg)

Another white-crown sparrow.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4931001802_1500022d1b_b.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on August 27, 2010, 10:48:04 AM: Ah - now I can see it better.

You have suet out? Mine melts in the sun :(
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on September 05, 2010, 08:30:46 PM: What do you call these guys? White-spotted sandpipers?

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/4962290336_9f58a194d4_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/4962290524_f046551a85_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/4961696177_749066a343_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/4961696627_b5b663524f_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/4961697389_6aaca03479_b.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on September 05, 2010, 08:32:38 PM: I took a whole bunch of photos today and a few of them I really liked.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4962290940_6df9d9b168_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/4962290772_9a71b2624c_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/4961696081_a9382e2b54_b.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on September 07, 2010, 09:55:40 PM: Quote from: Rodney on September 05, 2010, 08:30:46 PM
What do you call these guys? White-spotted sandpipers?

I'm going to go with Greater or Lesser Yellow legs. The last ones.. MIGHT be Dunlin... Leg colour helps id :)

www.whatbird.com

Or Cornell's Ornithology site.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on September 17, 2010, 05:53:47 PM: (http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l101/marmotus/annas.jpg)

Juvenile male Annas

For photography buffs:
Panasonic Lumix GF1
1/200 shutter
iso 200
135mm canon F2.5 prime lens (from the 70s!) (270 equiv. with adapter)
fotodiox FD to M4/3 adapter

I'm loving this camera... the lack of optical stabilization with these old lenses is forcing me to be mindful of shutter speed and light sensitivity. Also it's all manual focus so it's teaching me to be fast.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: fishersak on September 19, 2010, 04:46:23 PM: Some shots from Amsterdam

(http://www.fishingwithrod.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1840&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://www.fishingwithrod.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1842&g2_serialNumber=1)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on September 25, 2010, 03:50:21 PM: (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5023816211_f41d91fd12_b.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on October 16, 2010, 06:45:45 PM: Early September, we were down at Grand Bend, ON and saw these two sanderlings flitting in and out of the surf edge... They were pretty calm about being photographed. It was pretty windy out, so the two of them look a bit like they are having a bad hair day.
1.
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/3ea/3eaddbed2016003e2501bb9ca693f7a9_7fb.jpg)
2.
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/307/307c3fffaafce2508aea0c6a7b919e2c_fb3.jpg)
3.
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/185/185a8255ca7cb1dc67baa0c401465002_db7.jpg)
4.
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/dcd/dcdf28d62745a94b0a32e78919281526_d7d.jpg)
5.
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/faf/fafb0c872c94587d57061bea17f6659d_350.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on October 17, 2010, 07:47:23 PM: Dragonspeed....

very nice!!!!!!!!! 3 + 4 are my favorites... very very nice!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on October 18, 2010, 01:10:36 PM: Quote from: marmot on October 17, 2010, 07:47:23 PM
Dragonspeed....

very nice!!!!!!!!! 3 + 4 are my favorites... very very nice!
Thanks! It was quite the lucky opportunity. The only real drag is that I had to lay on the damp sand to shoot :)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on October 20, 2010, 12:04:03 PM: Some Backyarders from this week.

A few shots from the backyard the last couple of days. It's getting colder and the birds are more frequent at the feeder as a result.

1.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5099785432_3514e01857.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099785432/)
Male House Finch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099785432/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

2.
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1351/5099785340_f0177b3101.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099785340/)
Stellar's Jay (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099785340/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

3.
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1414/5099186003_26a5ae9b44.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099186003/)
Stellar's Jay (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099186003/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

4.
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1127/5099785082_bec6f7dcbe.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099785082/)
Stellar's Jay (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099785082/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

5.
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1123/5099784972_c78056e2c7.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099784972/)
Black Capped Chickadee (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099784972/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on October 20, 2010, 12:05:05 PM: Some more from the last couple of days.

1.
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1411/5099185477_226267b5a4.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099185477/)
Black Capped Chickadee (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099185477/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

2.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5099185663_d0e63ef2b7.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099185663/)
Dark Eyed (Oregon) Junco (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099185663/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

3.
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1187/5099784720_d2974f2029.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099784720/)
American Goldfinch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099784720/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

4.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5099784570_399e79938c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099784570/)
Dark Eyed (Oregon) Junco (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099784570/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

5.
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1216/5099784450_cdd39e3017.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099784450/)
Mrs Downy Woodpecker (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099784450/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on October 20, 2010, 12:37:58 PM: Quote from: DragonSpeed on October 20, 2010, 12:05:05 PM

1.
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1411/5099185477_226267b5a4.jpg) (http://"http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099185477/")
Black Capped Chickadee (http://"http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5099185477/") by DragonSpeed (http://"http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/"), on Flickr

STUNNING!!!!!! WTF!?!?!?!??!!

wow DS..... gorgeous composition, gorgeous colors.... just wow. What a great photograph.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on October 20, 2010, 01:43:56 PM: [blush]

Thanks.

We don't get the fall leaves for long but when we do, and the sun falls on them, it makes for some good photo ops :)

Went shooting at Reifel on Sunday instead of fishing.... I think I'm becoming a photographer that fishes sometimes instead of a fisherman that takes pictures. Sigh.

Oh well - at least I have more good pictures once I go through them :)

I fixed the broken links on the images. FWR doesn't like quotes in BBCODE :'(
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: fishersak on October 20, 2010, 03:29:09 PM: Wow.....great shots!!!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on November 01, 2010, 08:37:56 AM: Reifel Bird Sanctuary
Delta BC, Canada

So, here was this poor Red Tailed Hawk just soaring around minding his own business.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/5136180676_1dd068fdd2_o.jpg) (http://"http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5136180676/")
Red Tailed Hawk (http://"http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5136180676/") by DragonSpeed (http://"http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/"), on Flickr

Next thing you know a Northern Harrier decided that he didn't like Red in his area. What an arial battle ensued. The Harrier continued to dive and attack the RTH while he worked to avoid the harrassment. In shot #3 you can see the RTH has his head turned 180 to try to see the Harrier attacking from above. Classic dogfight!
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1393/5136180570_77f942f7d6_o.jpg) (http://"http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5136180570/")
RedTail vs Harrier (http://"http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5136180570/") by DragonSpeed (http://"http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/"), on Flickr
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on November 01, 2010, 02:22:01 PM: Nice. Most people don't know that the red tailed hawk is the one that makes the "eagle" call that is so often used in westerns (or pretty much whenever somebody wants to add ambience to an outdoors scene).

Harriers are awesome... lots out in that area too, especially above the reeds on the northern side.. I've seen loads there.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on November 01, 2010, 04:36:25 PM: Quote from: marmot on November 01, 2010, 02:22:01 PM
Nice. Most people don't know that the red tailed hawk is the one that makes the "eagle" call that is so often used in westerns (or pretty much whenever somebody wants to add ambience to an outdoors scene).

Harriers are awesome... lots out in that area too, especially above the reeds on the northern side.. I've seen loads there.
Those cursed Harriers always seem to sit just too far out there for my 400. I always wait and hope in anticipation that one will come in for a run at the dyke looking for vole or something.

Once, I got a decent shot of one "fairly close":
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/67c/67c1522994389b11a051fca50144ac45_f04.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on November 03, 2010, 09:55:06 AM: Oh nice shot!

I wish I had autofocus and lens stabilization on these old primes I'm shooting with... makes it very difficult to get shots like that even with high iso values and fstop all the way down. Getting them in flight is hard enough as it is!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on November 03, 2010, 10:14:31 AM: Quote from: marmot on November 03, 2010, 09:55:06 AM
Oh nice shot!

I wish I had autofocus and lens stabilization on these old primes I'm shooting with... makes it very difficult to get shots like that even with high iso values and fstop all the way down. Getting them in flight is hard enough as it is!
Lack of AF would be the HUGE thing. Ouch.
IS: not as important if you keep shutter speed greater than 1/(focal length)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on November 04, 2010, 03:51:16 PM: I'm still editing some of my other shots but I thought I'd share a few of the various beauties that I saw the other week:

1. Dowitcher - "I'm SURE I set that morsel down HERE"
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1417/5147139738_d5aa27d64f_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5147139738/)
Dowitcher (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5147139738/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

2. Golden-Crowned Sparrow - "Whatchyou talkin' b'out Willis?"
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/5146536849_a0a2c31da9_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5146536849/)
Golden-Crowned Sparrow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5146536849/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

3. Golden-Crowned Sparrow - "Does this angle make my butt look fat?"
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1140/5146536619_d0db0f8f63_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5146536619/)
Golden-Crowned Sparrow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5146536619/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

4. Black-Crowned Night Heron - Hey! What's THAT doing in there?!!?"
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/5147139262_23f604a5f0_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5147139262/)
Black-Crowned Night Heron (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5147139262/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

5. Black-Crowned Night Heron
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1309/5146536375_4faaa0d0e6_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5146536375/)
Black-Crowned Night Heron (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5146536375/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

6. Snow Rising???
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1125/5146536273_baf4192747_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5146536273/)
Snow Geese (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5146536273/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

7. Snow Geese - The migration
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/5146536195_3215b9bb1b_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5146536195/)
Snow Geese (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5146536195/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on November 08, 2010, 02:05:13 PM: A few more birds for your enjoyment, commentary, critique and (hopefully) ID...

People were all agog over this little guy/girl at the Reifel Sanctuary the other day... Not a great shot, but I can say I saw a "Sharp Tailed Sandpiper" now:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5158911425_65087a8ba3_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5158911425/)
Sharp Tailed Sandpiper (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5158911425/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

These geese/ducks flew overhead that day, and I couldn't ID them... any ideas?
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1418/5159518686_ab2edc1777_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5159518686/)
Unknown Geese (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5159518686/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

And that leaves us with the serpentine necked Cranberry Heron...
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1324/5159519084_c7f1110187_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5159519084/)
Cranberry Heron (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5159519084/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: leadbelly on November 09, 2010, 06:32:53 PM: that pic of a line of snow gees is amazing.
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs964.snc4/75714_453403667750_697292750_5949290_2804621_n.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on November 10, 2010, 08:30:00 AM: Looks like a Canada Goose has been dipping his wings into the domestic goose pool ;) ifyaknowwhaddImean... wink wink say no more. ;D
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on November 22, 2010, 01:04:15 PM: Quote from: DragonSpeed on November 04, 2010, 03:51:16 PM
6. Snow Rising???
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1125/5146536273_baf4192747_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5146536273/)
Snow Geese (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5146536273/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

I like taking shots like this.... basically just aim and fire and something will end up in focus :) Neat shot.

I've been trying to catch the fluffed up (winter plumage?) annas that are still hanging around. There is quite the population overwintering in crescent park. I heard quite a few while going for a walk the other day. That same day I saw three Varied Thrush in the park too, but I didn't have my camera :( Would have been nice to get a shot because they are very shy birds.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on November 22, 2010, 01:08:43 PM: Quote from: DragonSpeed on November 03, 2010, 10:14:31 AM
Lack of AF would be the HUGE thing. Ouch.
IS: not as important if you keep shutter speed greater than 1/(focal length)

Yeah the lack of AF is tough. The cam came with a 17mm pancake though that does have AF, which is a nice lens too, just not a great all rounder.

I try to keep my shutter speed greater than 1/ 2x(focal length). So on my 50, (which is actually 100 after the adapter), I try to shoot at 1/200. Sooner or later I'll invest in a decent AF zoom lens. For now I like the challenge and it is teaching me a lot about the technical side of photography AND the practical concerns like being prepared for shots!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on November 25, 2010, 11:01:57 AM: (http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l101/marmotus/costasrsz.jpg)

I am pretty sure this is a costa's hummingbird. (bright purple gorget and crown, short straight beak, and when the head is straight the gorget feathers sort of "stick out" the back, pretty cool. One of the less common hummers in bc in the best of times let alone the start of winter! Amazing to see right now. Thats my homemade 8 port feeder. Most I've had at it is 4 birds though.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on November 25, 2010, 12:11:37 PM: It's amazing that you still have hummers!

You must live in the lowlands. Up on Burnaby Mountain they were done in September.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on November 25, 2010, 06:32:50 PM: Yeah, I'm in south surrey near crescent park. I am pretty sure the park has a healthy population of hummers that stay over the winter. I've seen some fluffed up looking Annas too, but no rufous or black chins. They keep coming around even when the feeder is frozen solid....they lick the ice! I was blown away to see a costas though.... a nice treat. I'd asked at wild birds about taking the feeders down, they said to leave them up, and that if the birds were going to leave they would leave regardless of whether there were feeders out and that a good number of hummers do end up wintering here. Go figure!

*edit... actually i think it IS an annas after looking at the sibley guide. Sometimes the illustrations are better for picking out the iconic parts.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Rodney on November 27, 2010, 05:16:34 PM: Filmed these snow geese with a new camera today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUIC0Gw5wKM
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on November 29, 2010, 08:54:33 AM: Went down to Reifel yesterday because they SAID it was going to be sunny.. Not so much. Got a few interesting shots and a new bird!

1. The sky was so dreary behind this poor baldy that I had to give him a nice blue gradient instead :)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5217398526_70467012e5_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5217398526/)
Bald Eagle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5217398526/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

2. As I was about to leave, word got out about a couple of Great Horned Owls in a tree... They were tucked up DEEP in the branches. ISO 12800 to even get a shot worth keeping!
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5216809967_227d26a1fc_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5216809967/)
Great Horned Owl (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5216809967/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

3. A little marsh wren. You hear them and you see them flitting about. It was a nice change to be able to get a shot of one... My first time!
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5217398306_a436b1ddcc_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5217398306/)
A little wren (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5217398306/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on November 29, 2010, 03:11:58 PM: Great capture on that wren....loads of detail!

Those owls... still in those snaggly old trees about halfway to the tower along the northernmost trail?
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on November 29, 2010, 10:56:41 PM: Quote from: marmot on November 29, 2010, 03:11:58 PM
Great capture on that wren....loads of detail!
Thank you! Quite the pleasant surprise to get one!
Quote
Those owls... still in those snaggly old trees about halfway to the tower along the northernmost trail?
Nope - they are along the EAST dyke trail. About 3/4 of the way down. About 30 feet before the Y junction that takes you into the inner trails to the left. :
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on December 01, 2010, 02:01:47 PM: Quote from: DragonSpeed on November 29, 2010, 10:56:41 PM
Thank you! Quite the pleasant surprise to get one!Nope - they are along the EAST dyke trail. About 3/4 of the way down. About 30 feet before the Y junction that takes you into the inner trails to the left. :

Sorry I got my bearings wrong. That's the spot I'm talking about... along the trail that you take that leads straight from the entrance to the tower along the "outside" edge of it east and north.... nice to see them back!

Funny story about reifel...

My eyesight isn't all that great but not bad enough that I need glasses. My first time to the sanctuary I took a bunch of pictures of a magpie... I was amazed to see one here. I had the kids in tow so I couldn't stay and watch it for long. I got back to the car and was looking through my pictures and took a closer look at the shot... I think you might know what it was ::) DOH!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on December 02, 2010, 12:25:55 PM: Last nights visitor.... get this.... 20mm lens!

(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l101/marmotus/barred3.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: leadbelly on December 02, 2010, 05:35:47 PM: nice work!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on December 02, 2010, 08:22:24 PM: Quote from: marmot on December 02, 2010, 12:25:55 PM
Last nights visitor.... get this.... 20mm lens!
VERY SWEET!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on December 02, 2010, 08:22:57 PM: This guy(?) was perched on the power pole right across from my work today! Luckily I had the camera and could get out and get a decent shot. It was tough.. Had to hit EC +1 1/3 I was shooting almost right up into the bright cloudy sky. I shopped in the blue sky from a previous day :)

ID anyone?
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5228244676_38650b79b6_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5228244676/)
Red Tailed Hawk (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5228244676/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on December 03, 2010, 01:49:18 PM: Tail feathers give it away!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on December 03, 2010, 05:33:54 PM: Quote from: marmot on December 03, 2010, 01:49:18 PM
Tail feathers give it away!
I've generally stopped ID'ing hawks... tough work.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on December 03, 2010, 07:15:12 PM: Quote from: DragonSpeed on December 03, 2010, 05:33:54 PM
I've generally stopped ID'ing hawks... tough work.

Is it not a red-tailed? The feather poking out in the back looks like that nice red color you see in them... im not so sure though now!

*I take it back.... it's a red tailed for sure... the patterning, that thick black band with white tip, with the red above on the tail feather says its a red tailed hawk. Last year at my old place I saw a hawk of some sort... maybe a sharp shin, chasing a rat or mouse or something on the ground, even squeezed itself under a fence during the chase.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: wizard on December 03, 2010, 07:32:26 PM: light phased Swainson's hawk. (as opposed to dark phased)

REALLY common in praries, not nearly as common/rare in lower mainland. this bird was prob on migration.
smaller then redtail. they eat mainly insects, small rodents. Smaller beak then redtail, as well short stubby tail.

btw, a page back pic of "unkown geese" are widgeons. great shots, everyone.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on December 03, 2010, 07:41:28 PM: AHHH.... do they have red tail feathers too? I haven't seen them with that cinnamon color like the red tails have... also, don't they have white chins? That upper chest though looks more like a swainsons that a RTH though.... i can imagine in dark phase that would be quite brown. Thanks wizard !
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: wizard on December 03, 2010, 08:13:21 PM: ok, first glance says (to me) swainson's based on small profile of face/beak. but I see what you're looking at, I think you're right. this just might be redtail due to the last dark bar on tail, like you said. ??? I'll tentatively change identity to red tail, just a real small one.
good call marmot. can you verify the "unknown geese"?
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on December 03, 2010, 10:48:47 PM: The Hawk - Redtail
The "Geese" - Northern Pintails.

No, I just don't like the battle of trying to ID hawks. Particularly Sharpshinned vs Coopers. Hahaha.... That'll bring out the guys in the white coats!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on December 08, 2010, 08:49:27 AM: A few more from the other week's visit to Reifel

1. Greater White Fronted Goose - Uncommon visitor to the area
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5243415072_e83b456cc5_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5243415072/)
Greater White Fronted Goose (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5243415072/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

2. Shorebirds resting
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5243414384_7b1f76dd3a_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5243414384/)
Shorebirds resting on the Tidal Flats (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5243414384/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

3. Along comes Mr. Coopers Hawk...
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5243414466_0aec64af53_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5243414466/)
Coopers Hawk (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5243414466/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

3. Resulting in.... Shorebirds in flight
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5050/5242819621_27a66ede57_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5242819621/)
Shorebirds in flight (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5242819621/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

4. More flight patterns
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5242819527_72988c60a0_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5242819527/)
Shorebirds in flight (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5242819527/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

More from my visit that day can be seen at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/sets/72157625490900830/

C&C welcome!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: marmot on December 09, 2010, 11:22:47 PM: That white fronted goose looks like it has been doing squats or something? Beefy looking bird!

Nice cap on the coopers! He's looking right at you.... such cool eyes.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: cutthroat22 on December 21, 2010, 10:05:34 AM: I was walking a local creek picking up gear when I looked up and this heron was 10 feet in front of me. I didn't even see it when I was walking as it's very well camo'd and still as the rocks it was standing on. I took a couple pics and he/she flew away out of site.

(http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu44/cutthroat2222/dec15-20085.jpg)
(http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu44/cutthroat2222/dec15-20084.jpg)

I walked up the creek a bit and and sat down to have some coffee. I had been sitting for about 5 minutes when I looked up and he/she had flown back and was now right beside me. For some reason this bird took a liking to me and I walked around it taking pictures for a little while.

(http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu44/cutthroat2222/dec15-20089.jpg)
(http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu44/cutthroat2222/dec15-20092.jpg)
(http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu44/cutthroat2222/dec15-20093.jpg)
(http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu44/cutthroat2222/dec15-20094.jpg)
(http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu44/cutthroat2222/dec15-20097.jpg)
(http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu44/cutthroat2222/dec15-20099.jpg)

Wish I had a sharper camera but it was nice experienced getting the look over from this heron!
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on December 21, 2010, 01:25:53 PM: Hey - that's quite the poser!

Nice work. The 3rd is the best IMO.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: ribolovac02 on December 31, 2010, 01:57:29 PM: Awsome pictures dragonspeed.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on December 31, 2010, 02:08:02 PM: We went out to Reifel yesterday...

It was forecast to be clear, and for a change the weather man was right! It was a cool clear, crisp day. It made for some good shooting. Here are a few from the walk.

1. A RARE visitor to Southwest BC - Northern Hawk Owl
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5310205201_200b94e9cb_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5310205201/)
Northern Hawk Owl (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5310205201/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

2. Always a treat to see the Bald Eagles soaring
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5242/5310205089_d01953407a_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5310205089/)
In Flight (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5310205089/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

3. Even the Juveniles!
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5310794174_dc2ae64649_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5310794174/)
Working the new wings (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5310794174/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

4. You can really see why they are called "RED Tailed Hawks"
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5310794222_e167ae2133_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5310794222/)
Looking for Lunch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5310794222/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

5. Rodent's nightmare
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5310205055_4000a8867f_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5310205055/)
Rodent's Nightmare (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5310205055/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr

6. I'll leave you with this happy thought...
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5310245596_ff3eee0577_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5310245596/)
Happy New Year (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonspeed/5310245596/) by DragonSpeed (http://www.flickr.com/people/dragonspeed/), on Flickr
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Damien on December 31, 2010, 06:08:24 PM: Wow, Northern Hawk Owl, great shot.

Thanks.

Cool look at the juvie Baldie.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on January 01, 2011, 09:23:57 AM: Quote from: Damien on December 31, 2010, 06:08:24 PM
Wow, Northern Hawk Owl, great shot.

Thanks.

Cool look at the juvie Baldie.

Thanks for the nice comments! There were probably 30+ photographers shooting the Hawk Owl that day... really funny to watch.
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: Damien on January 01, 2011, 12:05:55 PM: The better half and I are heading out there today.
;D
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: skaha on January 01, 2011, 01:18:51 PM: --Never seen a hawk owl before..are they daytime feeders or you just got lucky?
--great picture
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: leadbelly on January 01, 2011, 09:06:06 PM: those pics are amazing, i need to get my friend with the new camera out to Reifel soon
though we got a few shots off nothing like those, wow
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs049.snc6/167934_479781012750_697292750_6334810_4568336_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs046.snc6/167615_479779432750_697292750_6334789_5820523_n.jpg)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on January 02, 2011, 01:02:27 AM: Quote from: skaha on January 01, 2011, 01:18:51 PM
--Never seen a hawk owl before..are they daytime feeders or you just got lucky?
--great picture
They live in the arctic normally so are diurnal. If they slept during the day it would be a long 4 month snooze up there :)
Title: Re: 2010 Birds
Post by: DragonSpeed on January 02, 2011, 01:03:32 AM: Quote from: leadbelly on January 01, 2011, 09:06:06 PM
those pics are amazing, i need to get my friend with the new camera out to Reifel soon
though we got a few shots off nothing like those, wow
That's a nice job catching the Harrier. I spend a good piece of my time at Reifel trying to catch the Harriers over the tidal flats.