This next trip out really kicked things off for the bird collection. I saw a ton of birds at a local nature center. I had been to this one before, but I was taking pictures of the water fountains and other scenery. This time I was out for wildlife, and wildlife I did see.
The first night I went out after work, and although there was plenty of wildlife there was far more people out that night walking. So the birds stayed up in the trees for the most part. I couldn’t get that close, but here’s a heavily cropped in photo of a Northern Mockingbird.
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @600 - 1/800 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 500
I did manage to get a fantastic sunset shot that night.
Canon 5D Mark II w/28-135mm @90 - 1/2500 Sec - F6.3 - ISO 400
I headed back out the following Saturday, early in the morning before the sun had come up. Although it was a little while before there was enough light for me to start getting some good pictures. But once there was enough light there was plenty to take pictures of. Starting with this Eastern Song Sparrow.
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @428 - 1/10 Sec - ISO 400
Afterwords there was a bit of commotion in the grass, several birds with flying around. Fighting it looked like, so I stalked slowly towards and set up the tripod where I could just see over the hill where they were. They were actually playing, and were infant Eastern Bluebirds.
The only clear picture I got was when they all paused. Because it was still so dark I couldn’t raise the shutter speed.
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @600 - 1/125 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 1000
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @600 - 1/125 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 1000
There were large patches of bushes and growth. A bit above waist high but thick enough I wasn’t going into them. Thankfully it was just the right height for me to set up the tripod and wait without bending over and hurting my back. A flash of yellow caught my eye, and I snapped to try and get a picture. I missed it, but managed to follow the American Goldfinch a little ways and get a shot then. I was still really far away and had to crop in a good bit. But it’s better than no picture.
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @600 - 1/250 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 2000
The next thing I would spot would be some fluffy little guys, which I believe the first is an Eastern House Wren.
The second I’m not 100% sure about. It’s harder to identify them head on, so many of the markings come from the wings and colorings.
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @600 - 1/200 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 640
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @600 - 1/125 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 1000
The next one I managed to get a shot of was significantly larger. And very difficult to identify. I believe it to be the Long Billed Thrasher. Although the bill isn’t quite as long as what the book shows. The coloring isn’t quite right either. I’ve attempting to identify it multiple times, it just doesn’t quite match anything. I think it’s a thrasher because of the yellow eye and the beak.
I don’t think it’s a mocking bird, as that’s our next subject.
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @600 - 1/80 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 400
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @428 - 1/200 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 400
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @309 - 1/250 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 400
Then we have a more adult Eastern Bluebird. The color on these is just magnificent.
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @600 - 1/500 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 640
Another Eastern Song Sparrow
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @600 - 1/160 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 320
Now these next two are ones I was already familiar with, Tree Sparrows. They were making use of the house, and as you’ll see. They had their own bathroom area designated.
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @600 - 1/800 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 400
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @309 - 1/2000 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 640
Too bad the sign didn’t say “no pooping.”
This next one is a great shot I think. I don’t exactly know what kind of bird, since by this point the sun was much harsher out and getting the color was harder to do with the angle. But this little guy was hopping around the branches and when he landed like this between two of them I managed to get a clear shot.
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @600 - 1/1000 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 400
Walking around some more I spotted a pair of Rock Pigeons in a parking lot by a truck.
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @350 - 1/200 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 400
And I saw a Robin out there as well before I decided I was hungry and it was time to go. But there was one last bird that I spotted as I walked to the car.
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @600 - 1/400 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 400
Canon 7D w/Tamron 150-600mm @450 - 1/640 Sec - F8.0 - ISO 160
The European Starling. The coloring on this was like nothing I’d seen before. Very gloss and flashy. It was on it’s own at the very tops of trees making a call that was different enough to stand out to my untrained ear. It was far enough away that I did have to crop the photo a bit, but luckily close enough to get some of those details. I am excited to see another someday and that the next picture would turn out even better.