The Sunday BIRD Volume 8, Issue 29: January 6, 2013

Good Morning All,

Hope you’re having a good weekend! .

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Mine follow

Cheers and Chirps,

Richard Pavek

SHENmaker@MSN.com

My photo/essay blog is at: www.RichardsBirdBlog.com

Gallery at www.pbase.com/shenmaker

Thanks for looking, comments welcome,

Richard

I visited the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge this last week and I am ashamed to mention that this is the my first visit in winter and I've lived in the area for decades... The Sandhill Cranes have been coming here for for the winter for several decades...









As can be seen there are numerous ducks which also come and perhaps I'll show a few another day.. There are many other birds also wintering over here at the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge

These were all taken with the E-30 and the 70-300 from a monopod... I have to admit that this combination and my talents don't do justice to the scene. Visiting this site and others along the North Alabama Birding Trail temp me to upgrade my equipment in hopes that this is a limitation to my skills... The first and third picture above were taken from the shore line (not technically a shore line but where I start getting my feet wet); the second and forth from a observing building through glass (plexiglass?) windows. As can be seen there is a substantial distance between where I am and the birds are but none of these pictures was severely cropped. Resolution seems to be lost in atmospheric water vapor and the long end of the 70-300 at these distances (the first is at 78mm [156mm efl], the second at 108mm, and the last two are at 300mm.)

Comments, critiques, corrections and all other conversation are welcome

Classic shots Richard. Very well done indeed.

Dharma

A couple of young ones.

Water vapor is always a problem with shots like these. Also dust is often bad as well

Good shots, obliging bird

Richard

Gidday Richard

Crimson Rosella

Corella

Both keeping a close eye on the photographer ...

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Regards, john from Melbourne, Australia.
(see profile for current gear)
Please do not embed images from my web site without prior permission
I consider this to be a breach of my copyright.
-- -- --
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The Camera doth not make the Man (nor Woman) ...
Perhaps being kind to cats, dogs & children does ...
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I am a Photography Aficionado ... and ...
"I don't have any problems with John. He is a crotchety old Aussie. He will smack you if you behave like a {deleted}. Goes with the territory." boggis the cat
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Gallery: http://canopuscomputing.com.au/gallery2/v/main-page/

Bird Control Officers on active service.

Wonderful flight shot in #1

I haven't been out shooting for a month now, and with a country-wide heatwave with temps well into the 40's now heading to the east coast I'll be staying indoors for at least the next week

Here are some shots from early December.

First is a pair of shots of Masked Lapwing, parent and chick.
Last week I posted pics of these 2 individuals by the water's edge. This time we find them in a more urban setting

1. Masked Lapwing Parent E-5, ZD300mm EC-14, hand held



Why did the Lapwing cross the road ? to catch up with baby . . .



2. Masked Lapwing Chick E-5, ZD300mm EC-14, hand held

A parent (above shot) was following 20m behind. Unlike most other species the parent lapwings keep well clear of the chicks when they are foraging - perhaps encouraging independence, perhaps to avoid drawing the attention of predators. But don't ever try to get in between, the parent birds attack relentlessly



Masked Lapwing chick foraging for insects

3. A White-faced Heron E-5, ZD300mm, monopod

Crossing a sandy creek bed at low tide.





4. A Great Cormorant E-5, ZD300mm hand held

lifting off from a sand island in the quiet upper reaches of a coastal lake.

This is a cropped long-shot over 50 metres range. These birds spook easily, even at that range and despite a slow and careful approach by me.

And finally 2 shots of a Red-capped Plover pair. Taken at the same time & location as the above cormorant shot.

5. Red-capped Plover (1) E-5, ZD300mm hand held

A pair of Red-capped Plover (1)

6. Red-capped Plover (2) E-5, ZD300mm hand held



Red-capped Plover (2)

Happy New Year to everyone

Peter









Beautiful shots Richard.

A few from along the Rio Grande near Pilar, NM.

Southwestern Red Tail Hawk, White Crowned Sparrow and Bald Eagle.

I throw in a Beaver just because he was so stunning to watch.











Really great shots Peter.

pheasant coucal

crimson finch

chestntut breasted mannikin

little corellas (against approaching storm front)

Really nice harrier shots, Richard. I know how tough this bird can be and you really nailed it.

Very nice.

A day of sunshine, haven't seen 10 minutes since

All G5 and 100-300

Mediterranean Gull

Cormorant

Dunlin

Blue Tit

Playing with the editor

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My Galleries are at
http://picasaweb.google.com/trevorfcarpenter

Great shots of a great bird Richard

Do you get these from a hide/blind or does she just fly alongside you posing

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My Galleries are at
http://picasaweb.google.com/trevorfcarpenter

Love the Red-capped Plovers

--
My Galleries are at
http://picasaweb.google.com/trevorfcarpenter

A few from late last year to share.

These were shot in Melbourne, Australia.

I see you. (Australian Wood Duck)

What are you looking at? (Silver Gull)

Rainbow Lorikeet