by Dave | 20 Dec 2018 | Blog
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) What does one do when there is high pressure sitting over the area, an inversion creating what some believe is crappy light and certainly nasty air quality, clouds, unseasonably warm temperatures, and a lack of birds? Practice! Five-hundred miles (Peter, Paul, & Mary should be playing through your head right now) traveled in the last couple of days, with nothing to show except some marginal photos of a Rough-legged Hawk and a Prairie Falcon. One can argue about wonderful light early in the morning and in the evening being more desirable. Some proclaim the current light is really crappy. And it might not be optimal, but the light when not the best creates challenges to overcome and provides opportunities — no harsh shadows, and in some cases more vibrants colors. After a time in the morning, the sun can become so bright that it can actually wash out the unique coloring of birds, and institute specular highlights where they usually are not wanted. Photographers who photograph flowers like cloudy days and muted light because of this very condition — more vibrant colors. So, what to do when things are not the best, make the best of the situation — shoot and practice at home in the yard. I was surprised at the willingness of birds to come so close and let me practice. In some instances, too close to focus on them within the minimum focusing limits of the lens I was using. Within 15 feet of my garage door, I was able to practice on a number of birds, including this sub-adult Robin who found delight in eating fruit from a non-fruit bearing (🤔), Flowering Pear tree. In addition to the Robin, I was joined by Chickadees, Goldfinches, Juncos, House Finches, Red-winged blackbirds, a Northern Flicker and a Downy Woodpecker, who was so close that I could only get its head in the viewfinder and was, consequently, too close to focus. More birds than I saw during recent travels and I only needed to walk a few steps.
by Dave | 07 Nov 2018 | Avian/Animals, Blog
Bull Moose (Alces alces) I did’t think such a large animal could be sneaky, but sneaky, they are. Saw this Bull Moose in the Pebble Creek, Round Prairie area in Lamar Valley, YNP, early in the morning before the sun broke over the mountain. One lone bull appeared on the other side Soda Butte Creek and was too far for a decent shot from the road, even with long glass. So, I pulled on my coat and strode off through the snow and 5º temperatures to get closer. I was soon joined by another photographer, Dan Swart, Swart Photography. I was armed with the new Nikon Z7 camera and Nikkor 500mm PF lens. Seeing what others were hauling through the snow, willows, and small creeks, I felt as though I was cheating having such a small, light load. We stayed on the opposite side of the creek from the moose and continually lost him as he “snuck” through the tall vegetation. Eventually, he reappeared about 100 yards farther upstream from where we thought he was. The sun finally broke through the overcast skies, and illuminated the frost on the willows and other vegetation as the moose reappeared for a brief moment. Since the Z7 and 500mm PF are so compact and light, no tripod was necessary and I had not packed one in pursuit of the moose, which made it possible to move rapidly, lock focus, and shoot as the moose continued to be evasive. If you notice, he knew exactly where we were — he was watching us watch him.
by Dave | 27 Oct 2018 | Avian/Animals
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) Male and female Northern Harriers are distinctly different in coloring. The male is a striking gray; females a reddish brown. Harriers ad sexually dimorphic — males differ not only in coloring, but also size; they are smaller than females. Juvenile males and females, and even adult females, can be difficult to distinguish. Some folks refer to the adult males as the “Gray Ghost.” They hunt by gliding low to the ground over fields for prey. In their environment, male Harriers can be difficult to see. You can sit and watch, wait, and not see them until the last minute, and then there they are right in front of you. This makes it more difficult to photograph. A challenge to photograph and always a pleasure to see and watch. Sometimes, I am so taken by their presence that I almost forget to raise the camera. One of my favorite birds to photograph.
by Dave | 24 Oct 2018 | Avian/Animals, Blog
Sometimes, it is just better to be lucky than good. When photographing birds and wildlife, one can take all possible measures to maximize success. Regardless, there is a fair amount of luck involved with photographs. For instance, one can go to place well known for an abundance of wildlife and bird and still come away with little or nothing to show for the time invested. I have been tying to catch a Northern Flicker (
Colaptes auratus) in flight for some time. They are a constant around my house in winter and even cling to the side of the stucco in the corners of walls and sleep at night. Still, I have not been able to get one in flight. They are a fairly skittish bird as well, and that certainly doesn’t help. I was out this morning, and I am fortunate to live within about five minutes of a migratory bird refuge. The morning was slow and I was returning home with little of consequence to show for my time. Then, there, sitting on a fence post, on the side of the road (which is unusual) was a Flicker. I pulled to the side, shut off the car, and grabbed my camera. Fortunately, the Flicker stayed put and gave me a precious few moments in which to photograph it in different positions. Then as my finger pressed the shutter button for a profile shot — BAM! — the Flicker took to the air. If I had tried to time the take-off, I would have missed. A happy and fortuitous accident. Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good.
by Dave | 22 Oct 2018 | Avian/Animals, Blog
The legendary, and often mythical, bird of summer camps and camping trips and sleepovers with friends, cousins, and older siblings . The Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) is anything but mythical. How many still thought the bird to be a myth, occupying imaginations and only visible at night by flashlight and special chants? It is secretive and solitary; it likes damp, muddy habitat where vegetation provides it cover. So, here it is and I managed to see one again this year without the necessary pillow case, burlap bag, or flashlight. Not sure why this one is posing in this manner, it certainly did not like a couple of Yellow-legs being too close. Perhaps there was a male Snipe around, but it is doubtful breeding season is still in full swing. Anyway, the pose is interesting and certainly more so than the bird just standing there. So, the next time you are instructing someone in Snipe hunting, at least you can describe what the bird looks like.
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