Birds of a Feather
Welcome back in! I have been taking my P1000 out to the refuge again, as well as my own backyard, and have gotten some awesome shots of our winged friends. There may be some redundancy here, but the point will always be the same in all of my posts and that is to get out into the world and experience it! I’ll harp on that more at the end. Let’s get into it!
I like allot of things when it comes to photography. I really enjoy using my Nikon P1000 for nature photography. I even talked to a fan of my blogging, in particular my blogs on the P1000. We chatted via email, she asked some great questions about it and she made the leap. Bought herself a P1000 and, when I checked in with her a few weeks later, she sent me some great photos that she took with it. That made me really happy!
The photo to the left is of a Northern Pintail. Since I placed my self on this journey, I have learned allot about different kinds of birds and waterfowl. I have been practicing taking action shots, flying birds and the like. Sometimes stepping out of my comfort zone and better honing my skills. Beautiful waterfowl, like the Northern Pintail, abound at the refuge and sometimes you’re welcomed with a unique find…at least unique to me and my circumstances.
The photo to the right is of a Killdeer. Yes, you heard me correctly…a Killdeer. Apparently, their call sounds like they’re saying, “kill deer.” Now I haven’t heard them make their call, as of yet, but when I do, I’ll let you know if I hear it. Other than seeing them at the refuge, I’ve only really seen them at the coastlines of Oregon and Washington. They’re not exclusive to those areas, sometimes they will occupy farmland as well.
Photographically speaking, one of my greatest, personal, achievements has been capturing a Great Horned Owl. This specimen has made his home at the refuge and I couldn’t be happier about it! I see him every time I go. Most of the time he is sleeping and I capture him with his eyes closed. But on this day he was fully awake and unappreciative of the paparazzi trying to capture his essence. Well, this shot happened after he flew from his usual perch and the teed off look on his face kinda explains it all. Even shooting from a vehicle, you can’t help inconveniencing wildlife at some point. I try to have as little, if any, impact on those I wish to photograph. Just because I want them to be there the next time I visit!
This handsome fella came into my backyard for a very short period of time. Haven’t seen him since. Now, I will say that I stack the deck in my favor by placing different kinds of feeds out so that it attracts birds and then I can photograph them. Some stay longer than others and I cannot begin to tell you just how many Stellars Jay and Scrub Jay photos I have snapped. The photo to the right, however, is of a Yellow-Breasted Chat. I was only able to get the one shot off before he flew off and he hasn’t come back. I have some other seed coming that I hope will attract this guy back!
Out of the two Jay species that frequent the food I put out, I have to confess that the Stellars Jay, pictured left, is the prettier of the two. The Scrub Jay has a loud, sort of melodic squawk. Where as the Stellars Jay also has a loud squawk but sounds more like 25 year, 2-pack a day habit…not very nice to listen to, I’m afraid.
Lastly, this guy turned out to be one of my favorite shots that I’ve taken of any bird. This is a male, Spotted Towhee. He is very handsome and not the first time in my yard going after the feed I leave out. His coloring is awesome and the red eyes just make him even more interesting! I can easily spend a couple hours in my backyard and photograph all sorts of critters coming into feed. I’ve got one of a Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flickers, and a whole host of smaller type birds.
Well that does it for me. Sometimes when I have an itch to go shoot, really, that’s every day, but I don’t want to go anywhere in particular, then I don’t really have to go any further than my back yard. If you like to take photos, whatever your skill level, you don’t have to go far at all. If you don’t have any feeders in your yard, get some…and a bird bath as well. You will get all sorts of critters coming into your yard. Set-up a chair and a tripod, sometimes hand-holding is faster, and start snapping! It won’t take long for the critters to get used to you…you may even get a chance to hand feed one or two…research it, it can be pretty easy. I know that’s my next goal for the ones that frequent my yard!
Go, do and be! Get out there, near or far, photography yes or no, just get out there and experience nature, history, people, places and things! It’s such an awesome place to be, our world, and holds many mysteries for you to discover, whatever that may mean to you. Go discover them! In the mean time, take care of yourselves and each other. Be kind to your fellow humans. My trip is coming up in a couple of months and it will provide me with lots of photographic possibilities. I’ll keep you apprised the closer we get! Until the next time…be and travel well!
