Nine photos, six species.
A sampling of bird photos I’ve taken recently. All of these shots were taken within the last several weeks during two trips I made to a remote area of Box Elder County and one trip to Farmington Bay WMA. None of them will win any prizes but collectively I think they’re a pretty good representation of the birds I’ve been photographing lately.
1/8000, f/5.6, ISO 1600, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
A small part of a very large flock of Canada Geese that I inadvertently flushed from a pond (the water was moving so it wasn’t iced over) as I slowly drove by less than a minute after sunrise. They’re flying directly east, with the sun barely peeking over the mountains just out of frame to the right.
It was downright cold that morning, only…
16° F. – the coldest temps I’ve seen so far this winter. It made me feel bad for flushing the geese and making them fly unexpectedly in such frigid weather.
The following four songbird photos were taken at a clump of bushes that was sidelit in early morning so the lighting was difficult, especially for action shots.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 1250, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
A White-crowned Sparrow at takeoff. Flight shots were a real challenge in the sidelight. At least I got light in the bird’s eye.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 1600, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
A handsome Dark-eyed Junco looking back at me. I still haven’t seen any juncos at my backyard feeder this winter but I’d much rather photograph them in the wild anyway.
1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 1250, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Another junco several minutes later.
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 1250, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
A very curious American Goldfinch that I’m convinced only came in close to check me out while I was photographing the sparrows and juncos.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I was a little slow on the trigger when this drake Gadwall took off, so I cropped the photo to include both the bird and the water splash he made when he launched. After this shot I didn’t move my lens upward fast enough to keep him in frame, but three shots later I…
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
managed to get him in frame and in focus again. Barely.
1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 1600, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
A far-away Golden Eagle that was trying to decide if I was already too close for comfort. A few seconds later ‘he’ took off but all of my flight shots were soft because he was so close to the rocks in the background I couldn’t keep my active focus point locked on him. All I got was more sharp rocks with a soft bird.
It’s been a while since I’ve been in the field, in part because of the slow-moving snowstorm we’ve had for the last few days. We’ve had a significant amount of moisture in the form of a mix of rain and snow in the valleys, but the mountains have been dumped on. Alta Ski Resort got just over 3 1/2′ of snow, exactly as predicted. Sometimes the forecasters actually get it right.
Tomorrow looks sunny so I hope to have some new photos soon.
Ron
I could definitely see the first shot hanging on a wall. Kris’ description of the tension between the two lines hits the nail on the head. That tension combined with the golden early light makes this shot extra special.
All the other shots have a special something as well — from the curious goldfinch to the ticked off Golden. And, as you sometimes wish you had my plentiful Black Phoebes to look at, I wish I had your Dark-eyed Juncos. (OK, and the Goldens.)
Thank you for putting yourself in the Hot Seat (and cold everything else)! I finally turned on the heat when the overnights dropped below 50 because of my foster, but I’m not sure I could handle being out and about in the teens again.
Thanks very much, Marty. I sure don’t tolerate the cold as well as I did when I was a young squirt.
It is always a treat to open up the ‘puter and see that I have a new post from you. Many, many thanks.
And hooray for some much needed moisture – even in the cold.
I’m glad you enjoy my posts, EC. If I recall, you’ve been enjoying them for longer than any of my other readers. Or at least any of my regular commenters.
Echoing others with appreciation for the mix of lovely birds today. I’m partial to the juncos, because except for house sparrows, that’s about all we have in our yard right now. I love watching them, but they move pretty quickly, so it’s nice to be able study them up close. Thanks for including them.
Thanks, Carolyn. I have a soft spot for juncos too.
sensational shots Ron! thanks for sharing!
Charlotte Norton
Thanks, Charlotte.
Your shot #1 is the very first image I’ve seen of a line of geese in the sky that I’ve thought to be exquisitely beautiful–something about the
tension between the undulating horizon line and the line of geese–
moving to graze each other really “moves” me…….I think you had a
really productive morning, and I salute you for your fortitude, working
in that bitter cold !
“I salute you for your fortitude, working in that bitter cold.”
Kris, the seat warmers in my pickup help but I have to have the cabin heat turned off to keep my lens cold so it’s frigid in there – even for this Montana boy. I have a warm butt but cold everything else – especially my hands and feet.
Glad you like that goose flight shot. And that you explained why you do. Thanks.
Like them all and especially the Golden Eagle. Envious because I have never knowingly seen one. I hope that handsome Dark-eyed Junco appreciates you adding him to your post. I list them among my top ten ignored birds here. At a couple of our lakes they are everywhere and because of that I almost always ignore them.
And wow 16 degrees. We have not gotten there year, and actually this week warming up.
“I almost always ignore them.
Everett, I think a lot of photographers ignore them. I don’t, for two reasons – I think they’re handsome, photogenic birds and most winters I don’t see them all that often. And when I do I usually have difficulty getting clear shots of them.
Beautiful! The side lit birds are VERY appealing to me….. 🙂 Eagle is an Eagle even if soft…. 😉 The Gadwell shot with the water is great too.
We’ve done some of the cold off/on – just aren’t getting the moisture. Supposed to make 60 tomorrow!
Thanks, Judy. Wow, 60° for you in December is something. Chinook?
Sort of – wind going to be an issue – has been in the 30’s for a couple of days but no snow on the ground…….
Yesterday I saw a photo of Flathead Lake on FB – looks like no snow on the ground for them either.
I am always amazed how these birds, both big and small, manage to survive in these crazy cold temps.
Like that first artsy shot. Would like to see more of those, as you see fit.
That first Junco is a beauty, and that eagle clearly look perturbed and ready to go.
Thanks for the morning fix of birds Ron.
“Would like to see more of those, as you see fit.”
I have a bunch more, Michael and many of them look quite different from that one. I’ll see if I can work one or two more into future posts.
I’m glad you like it. I almost didn’t include it because, you know, butt shots. Thanks for that feedback.
Love the side-lit shots – gorgeous hues and highlights.
Thank you, Burrdoo.