I'm totally turning into a "birder" these days--I can vouch today that I ended up with a backache trying to hold my camera still (no, I don't have a tripod that works right now) to get in a good position to capture birds and squirrels. There were this morning: our little chickadee returned to the bird house (squeal), robins, carolina wrens, cardinals, blue jays, nuthatches, warblers, and a mother and father bird pair I haven't identified YET (update: Eastern Towhee!), but they are a hoot because they keep flying into my back glass door (which is now my perch because any time I go out "in person" the wildlife go away...). Oh, chipmunks and squirrels were having a great time--it was a virtual party in my backyard!
I was patient today, taking shots when I could and adjusting my focus manually--I did not use all manual today because I was indoors trying to get an outdoor shot--too complicated for me to work out, but I will some day.
Then this guy showed up! My backache really comes from trying to capture him as soon as he moved away from a limb blocking my view of him. You can see that one slim limb is still crossing his back (that's where the focus is off), but I was so pleased I got this one out of the billions of photos I took this morning.
A great start to a lovely day here in Georgia. Off to work now, but thank you birds of my world for showing up to feed and play in my very unkempt, natural backyard (as good a reason as any to never prune it)!
I totally understand your enthusiasm! I have become an avid bird watcher as a result of 365:) And, I saw a Northern Flicker in my yard for the first time just this morning!
@vskolnik Oh, and being able to see your photos of birds--I'm so inspired to keep trying. A Northern Flicker! (Now that I've gone to look it up, I love those--have seen them a few times, but not lately!!!). The other day, while in the car with my daughter, some birds collected on a telephone wire. I turned to her and said, "Please don't wait until you are 48 to appreciate the birds in your world." You can guess her reaction: eye roll. But I'm so thankful for 365--I see everything so differently and I take time to enjoy what I see (or think I see, or hope to make more visible).
I've got a red-bellied of my own who was pretty shy last year, but this year has totally claimed the balcony as his own. Best part: he chases the starlings away! I would so love to get a shot of him poking that long bill at the starlings, chasing them down the railing as if in a duel. He wins, though, every time as far as I can tell. I'll have to get it soon--the starlings don't eat peanuts until late winter and then stop as soon once spring has sprung.
@mesham They are very skittish from what I can tell. I've had to sit inside to take photos without scaring the the birds (so cleaning the windows is now a must!). Coffee-table book. You make me laugh, but I love that you love the photos. I am now a bit bird crazy, though. :)
@danitech I was so glad the colors came out so well. That red head is very distinctive, and I had to do very little editing (except the cropping over and over)! :)
Beautiful capture Daryl ! Sometimes with birding, there's no place like home. : ) .....and isn't digital just grand for continual shooting at no expense?
@foxsparrow Thanks Ann. Digital is great--just wish I didn't have to fish through so many shots for the "money" shot, but I'm so glad I don't pay extra!
Terrific shot. We keep our garden natural also and I think that does add to its appeal to the birds and other wildlife. Don't you just love digital? We can take all the shots in the world and see immediately if they "worked" or not and nary a penny spent on processing. Such a boon to learning photography.
@judis I don't even have a bird feeder. There are so many things to feast on in this back yard, which pleases me to no end. Yes, digital is fantastic! And really makes me enjoy the process of learning.
A perfectly captured photo! ARe you submitting this to some bird app creator?? Beautiful. And I would have enjoyed your bird party in your backyard! Did you just want to sit still and photograph away?
@jyokota I wish! Ha! The bird party arrives each morning these days and I sit and stare and click and stare and pray they stay still. Then I take a gulp of coffee--go to the computer and teach on(line)...
March 22nd, 2013
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