Posts in Category: birds
Dusky-faced Tanager
Dusky-faced Tanager: Tico Rainforest B&B, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2024 — This is a bird I had not seen in 10 previous trips to Costa Rica, and Victor, my host at Tico Rainforest, said that it is one of the main attractions for photographers at his place. Though it bears the Tanager name, it is not one of the true tanager family. It and 3 other tanager species were placed in their own family in 2013. It ranges through Central and north west South America, but evidently is not all that easy to see in Costa Rica. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Strutting
Tricolored Heron: Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island NWR, Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2025 — For the second year in a row, the Tricolored Heron was by far the most numerous of the heron tribe on Black Point Drive. There were, of course, more Great and Snowy Egrets by far, but of the dark herons the Tricolored took the crown. This one was pretty full of itself. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Black-cowled
Black-cowled Oriole: Tico Rainforest B&B, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2024 — Early in the morning from the deck at Victors B&B…my first and only sighting of the Black-cowled Oriole on this trip. I have only seen this bird once before in Costa Rica, though it is not an uncommon bird at feeders. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Learning the craft
Immature Reddish Egret: Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island NWR, Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2025 — This Reddish-egret, just coming into adult plumage, was hunting along Black Point Drive on our first sunny afternoon. Backlit of course, but it was fun to watch. All Reds are awakward hunters, striking often improbable poses, but this immature was still obviously learning the craft. Still, I love the light through the wings. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds-in-flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Looking a bit rough!
Tricolored Heron: Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island NWR, Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2025 — Looking a bit rough after several days of rainy, cold, weather…not quite dried out on the first sunny afternoon is quite a while. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Pink overhead
Roseate Spoonbill: Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island NWR, Titusville, Florida, January 2025 — This is pretty much a full breeding plumage male Roseate Spoonbill coming over fairly close on Black Point Drive in the full Florida afternoon January sun. Does not get much better! Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds-in-flight and action modifications. 1/2000th. Processed in Photomator.
Serenity Loon
Common Loon: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, February 2025 — I present for you this Sunday, the Serenity Loon…without a care in the world…the only ripples being those it makes itself in its peaceful passing. 🙂 What the world needs now. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.
Pairs competition
Black Skimmer: Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island NWR, Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2025 — I love watching Black Skimmers skim! And I love trying to catch them with a camera. Love might not be the word actually as there is quite a bit of frustration involved…but I do enjoy the attempt. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds-in-flight and action modifications. 1/2000th Processed in Photomator. (Sad to think that this and other National Wildlife Refuges are under threat…I, personally, would not want to see our Wildlife Refuges abandoned or, worse, tuned into commercial theme parks. Just saying.)
So pink!
Roseate Spoonbill: Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island NWR, Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2025 — On the afternoon of my second day at the Space Coast Bird and Wildlife Festival we finally got some Florida sun. I found a group of Spoonbills feeding in the channel along the road under the dark overhanging mangroves. While still not in full breeding plumage, the Spoons are certainly pinking up. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Highlight metering. Processed in Photomator.
But what about those purples?
Little Blue Heron: Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island NWR, Titusville, Florida, USA, January 2025 — Yes I know it is little and blue…though a completely different blue than the Great Blue Heron, but take a look at those purples in he neck and head. 🙂 Still overcast light on Black Point Drive and a nice close view out the car window really shows up the color. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.