After the stormy weather last night, we had blues skies today. We were very lucky here. We were under a tornado watch all night, but never had a tornado warning. We had wind and thunderstorms, but they weren't too bad. It was a long night for a lot of Tennesseans. Many had wind damage and lost power. One county did have a possible touch down. I'm thankful that my family and friends are all safe!
This is a Northern Mockingbird. I think they always look stern and aloof. They will usually let me get several shots before they fly away, so I like them. :0)
I saw the hawk today. I got some flight shots, but still not good enough for posting. I did figure something out. There are two hawks. One is a Red-tailed Hawk and the other is a Red-shouldered Hawk.
Thank you so much for your kind comments and faves on my recent bird pics!!! It keeps me going outside everyday to see what I can capture! :0)
You take such clear, beautiful photos Carolyn. you always seem to manage the perfect background as well as beautifully focused subject. This is up to your usual amazing standard. Soooo pretty. Glad you are safe from the tornadoes too - what a worry.
"Mock Yeah... Ing Yeah ... Bird yeah.. Hey everybody have you heard?" I love that old song. Good shot. You might experiment a little with moving your subject a little more off center. Focus on the bird, lock the focus in by holding button halfway down, recompose with bird off center. finish pushing button for shot. Sometimes you can use other elements in the shot to lead the viewer's eye straight to your main subject like the branch leading in from the lower left corner in this shot. Don't take this the wrong way. You already take excellent photos of birds and this might add a little variety to your style - that's all I'm saying.
Spiffy looking guy! For some reason, I am reminded of a tuxedo when I look at his tail. . so sharp and crisp! He's got character and great stature! Gorgeous guy.
Yeah, they are mean at times, but they are not skittish, like the cardinals and other fly away birds. I am trying to learn the different in red shouldered and red tailed hawk..don't they look alot alike? When you saw the hawk, did you set your camera in manual/al servo/continuous shooting? that helps, but it is still hard as #%#% to get a flight shot.
@cjwhite You need to try Al servo...on my T2i, you get to that by toggling left on that back, black toggle button. You have a choice of one shot, al focus, or al servo. Al focus is supposedly for a subject that is still, but might get up and run ....like a child playing. But I read up on it and they say al focus never focuses well on much of anything.
then, if you toggle to the left, on that black set of b uttons in a circle on the back (assuming it is like my T2i) you can choose from one shot at a time, continuous (so when you hold down shutter release button, it just shoots frame after frame until you let go),timer photos, and remote control shutter release photos....try it! Find something moving and just go for it!
Are you shooting in AI Servo when shooting the flight shots? I've learned I have to do that to get anything decent (same with soccer). Just thought I'd ask. This is a beautiful mockingbird photo! I can always tell the type of bird with them b/c they do have that "look" of stern ... reminds me of my government teacher in high school ;)
Glad you didn't get pounded with a tornado! You are so good at getting little birds. Mine must eat too much caffeinated birdseed or something, they never sit still for me.
I think he's giving you the evil eye!! He is very pretty and you were able to get so close...I'm waiting for your hawk picture...good luck on capturing him!!
Lovely - not sure what I though mockingbirds looked like, but this isn't it - funny huh. Tornadoes - scary - I've got a bit of a phobia type thing with them - (like you get loads in north east London UK) ... think it's something to do with an early viewing of the Wizard of Oz ....
then, if you toggle to the left, on that black set of b uttons in a circle on the back (assuming it is like my T2i) you can choose from one shot at a time, continuous (so when you hold down shutter release button, it just shoots frame after frame until you let go),timer photos, and remote control shutter release photos....try it! Find something moving and just go for it!
and glad to hear your family is safe too..
cute little birdie here.. :)