Sky Watch Friday: More MIddle Creek Waterfowl

To understand this series of photographs better, please read the post of Tuesday March 4th, first, as it lays the background for today's series.

Middle Creek Sunrise: Canon 40D 28-135mm

Waterfowl leaving lake to feed: Canon 40D 70-200mmF2.8

Snow Geese circling over feeding area: Canon 40D 300mmF4

Snow Goose Landing: Canon 40-D: 500mmF4

In spite of a mostly overcast sky, there was a colorful sunrise. At sunrise many of the waterfowl left the lake to feed in the surrounding field. For a time we had few good photo opportunities, but finally the sun broke through the overcast for good and we were treated to that bright, yet milky sunlight that often precedes the arrival of a storm front. This type of light is a result of the sunlight being filtered by a high thin clouds although sometime areas of the sky were a beautiful blue.

In late morning we found the geese converging on the corn field shown in the previous post. They came by the thousands, circled over the area, and then swooped in for the landing in the corn, where they fed on what grain that still remained.

An Excursion to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area

4:00 in the morning, heading east on the Pennsylvania Turnpike with the hammer down. The goal was to reach Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area near Klinefeltersville, in Lancaster County by dawn. It is hard to get motivated that early in the morning, but the promise of good waterfowl photography was a strong motivating factor.

Sunny, skies were in the forecast, but only a few scattered stars were visible through clear spots in the otherwise cloudy sky and there were wet patches in spots on the highway. Even though the sun would shine later in the day, the morning promised to come in cloudy and raw with light wind.

The main attraction at this time of year are the Tundra Swans and Snow Geese, which stop off for a short time on their return north from wintering in areas where the climate is less severe. In time they reach the arctic tundra where they spend the summer, nesting, and raising their young.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission administers the management area. Its’ primary focus is waterfowl and it is a popular hunting area in season, but there is a modest no hunting zone. This area is popular with bird watchers, hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. It is home to a few eagles but we were not to see any today.

We did find a large flock of snow geese along with some tundra swans, Canadian geese, and miscellaneous ducks and songbirds.

The highlight of the day was when we found a large flock of snow geese feeding in corn stubble.

They gave spectacular photo opportunities as they gathered in large groups and staged for landing or as they were in the process of touching down.

Snow Geese Canon 40D 70-200mmF2.8 L

Snow Geese Landing: Canon 40D 500mmF4 L

I hope to post a few more shots from this trip soon.

Mature Bald Eagle:Sinnemahoning State Park

An Encounter With A Bald Eagle

I posted a picture of a Bald Eagle as part of a discussion on lenses for long range photography with the Canon XL-H1 High Definition Video Camera on DV Info. Net Forum today and decided to post a shot here as well along with some information on eagles in Pennsylvania.

Mature Bald Eagle

Canon XL-H1:Canon 500mmF4 with 1.4 extender

Eagle populations are increasing in Pennsylvania. I have recorded the birds at Middle Creek Wildlife Management area at Kleinfeltersville, Pa. and at Sinnemahoning State Park, located between the Village of Sinnemahoning in Cameron County and Austin in Potter County. I have seen numerous birds in my home area, but they have so far been too shy to permit me to get the camera in action with the exception of an immature eagle that permitted me to videotape it at long range on one occasion.
Birds have nested in the same area of the lake at this park for a number of years. I was there on the morning of July 17th, 2007. I had a smaller lens mounted and was trying to get a shot of a flying eagle when I saw this bird land on the far side of the lake. I quickly mounted the camera to the 500mmF4 Canon with 1.4 extender attached. This gave me an the equivalent of a 5,040mm lens in 35mm terms. I took several stills in card camera mode and some video footage before the bird flew away.

Sky Watch Friday

Another Look At The Moon

Canon 40D: 300mmF4

It seems that the moon in becoming one of my favorite subjects. I arrived at my favorite observation post early last Monday morning and the moon was still shining. I noticed that the trees framed it quite nicely so I took several shots of it and this seemed to be the best one!