Saturday, May 9, 2009

Camera Critters: Bird Encounters

While I love looking at bird photographs, I often get too preoccupied with filming and photographing the big game species such as deer, elk, and turkeys. Yes, in Pennsylvania a turkey is classified as a big game species according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

I have taken so many turkey photographs this spring that it was time for a break. Thursday evening was mild with beautiful sunlight, so I set the 500mmF4 with 1.4 extender on the tripod overlooking my bird feeding area. I was soon rewarded with numerous photographic opportunities.

A Rose-breasted Grosbeak was somewhat shy, but eventfully moved within range. I would have liked the bird to be closer as I had to crop the image severely to get a tight composition.


I see doves quite frequently, but they are usually too far away or conditions are otherwise unsuitable for good photography, but this changed this evening, when several arrived at the feeding station and co-operated by posing quite nicely.


For more Camera Critters photographs, click Here!

22 comments:

Indrani said...

Lucky you, your birds did pose nicely for you.
Not mine. :(

Unknown said...

I love the photos !!

The colours and the markings on the first bird are really lovely..

Snap said...

We don't see the rose-breasted grosbeak here. Thanks for the treat.
I love the doves, too!

Mom Knows Everything said...

Beautiful birds!

VALKYRIEN said...

Lovely birds! I have never seen the rose-breasted grosbeak before, that one is simply beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I love these. What nice looking birds!

Turkeys are big game, huh? I never would have known.

James said...

All very nice but I like the top guy with the fancy red bow tie best.

b13 said...

That Rose-breasted Grosbeak is beautiful. Lovely markings and great captures.

Kerri Farley said...

Beautiful Willard! The Grosbeak is awesome! I sometimes think I don't appreciate the doves as quite as much as I should....they do have striking markings.

PS - Thank you so much for the kind comments about that photo I posted of my Mom and Dad last Thanksgiving.

Susan Cook said...

Great shots! I love Rose Breasted Grosbeaks. We used to have tons of them where I used to live. But not where I live now.

TFS

Anonymous said...

You did a nice job on these Willard.

My Birds Blog

storyteller said...

Wonderful ... these feathered critters seemed to pose artfully ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

The poor old doves do get overlooked don't they? :) Lovely shots Willard.

Anonymous said...

Rule 1 of bird photography - "the lens is never long enough." The 500 and 1.4x is a great combination. I use a 300 2.8 with a 2x for birds. I went out twice yesterday in search of birds and came away empty both times! Even with the crop. the Grosbeak looks really good, Willard.

Brad Myers said...

Beautiful photos Willard, maybe we should switch for a couple of weeks. All I have to photograph lately is birds and I would love to photograph some big game for a change.

Rajesh said...

Very beautiful snaps. Thee doves look different from what I see in India.

Unknown said...

Willard : I surely would be proud of these images. Fantastic bird shots and beautifully composed as well.

Ken Conger Photography said...

Excellent images. Grosbeak is my fav of the series. Blue Skies.

Misty DawnS said...

I love Grosbeaks! They are SO beautiful. I got some photos of them last year. Lately, I've been chasing a pair of Baltimore Orioles around ;-)

Shelley said...

Your grosbeak is so crisp and beautiful!!

imac said...

Gee Willard, fantastic shots, and here's me thinking my new lens and bird shots in my garden were good lol.

The Birdlady said...

Very lovely - that's a great grosbeak shot.