Posts in Category: birds
Maine! Chickadee on the rail
Black-capped Chickadee: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — Just a simple portrait of a common backyard bird. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Eagle on the river
Bald Eagle: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — It is rare to see the Eagle down near the water like this…still way too far away, but a more interesting angle than where it usually sits, high in pine on the steep slope above the river. This angle really brings out the size of the beak and the talons! Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird and wildlife modifications. Highlight metering in very difficult light (Eagles are about the most difficult bird to expose). Heavily cropped and processed in Photomator with some retouching of highlights in TouchRetouch. Someday I hope to see this bird on my side of the river 🙂
Maine! caught tail up
Red-tailed Hawk: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — The Red-tailed Hawk that hunts the edge of the marsh along the coastal road is very comfortable with passing traffic and, since there is a popular dog walking/jogging trail just there, also with people on foot. Comfortable enough to do some tail preening even though it clearly knew I was watching it. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Red-tail on the prowl
Red-tailed Hawk: York County, Maine, USA, September 2024 — Are you getting tired of this adult Red-tailed Hawk that hunts the marsh along one of my frequent trike ride/walks? I have seen it there at least a few times a week since mid-August, and, very likely, it is the same bird that frequented the area in spring. For a while there were at least 2, the adult and one or more immatures. Yesterday I saw this adult three times. Once from the road and once on each side of the road on a trail I like to walk, and was able to get photos each time. I like this one with the patchy clouds against the sky behind. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Heron Ornimental
Great Blue Heron and Goldenrod: Kennebunk Bridle Path, Kennebunk, Maine, USA, September 2024 — The heron standing way out across the water meadow among the Goldenrod that boarders the little unnamed tidal creek that cuts the marsh looks more ornimental than functional…a landscape accent more than the subject of the photo…and that is exactly as intended. (It was too far away for a portrait anyway.) Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Sanderlings
Sanderlings: York County, Maine, USA, September 2024 — The first early migrant Sanderlings reached us here in Southern Maine late last week. They were only here briefly and then off further south on a favorable wind. Looking up Sanderling, it turns out this is the Sand Plowman, based on the Old English name and their habit of pushing the beak through the sand ahead of them in search of prey. If you enlarge the second image you an actually see what it is about to eat. It takes a lot of critters that size to fuel a migration. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Another face off
Semi-palmated Sandpipers: York County, Maine, USA, September 2024 — Last time I checked the beach, two days ago, all the Semi-palmated Sandpipers and Plovers were gone…headed on south on a favorable wind…and I never did figure out what these beach standoffs were all about. Interesting behavior. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. My action and flight Recorded Settings (programed to the AF-On button: 1/2500 with wide tracking, Animal/bird auto focus). Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Herring on the edge
Herring Gull: York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — The contour of our local beaches was radically altered by the storms of this past winter and spring. Our local beach has developed a sharp slope at least 8 feet tall at the tide line dropping off to sand flats only exposed at low tide. This Herring Gull was resting just at the edge of the drop, overhanging the drop, and seemed quite comfortable there. Surveying its domaine. It allowed this eye-level shot without my getting down in the sand. Gulls are not my favorite birds, and Herring Gulls are not my favorite gulls, but even I have to admit this is a handsome bird. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Plover posturing
Semipalmated Plover: York County Maine, September 2024 — While the Semipalmated Sandpiper interactions this past week or so have seemed more like territorial disputes, the Semipalmated Plover interactions seem more like the kind of mock courting that goes on in the fall among many species, perhaps even forming pair bonds before the birds head south, or at least picking travel and wintering buddies. There was a lot of this tail up and flaring, head cocked action going on. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! the prize
Herring Gull (perhaps going into 1st winter plumage): York County Maine, USA, September 2024 — I am not at all sure what this young Herring Gull has fond, but it was certainly busy with it…picking it up and turning it and then repeatedly washing it a few steps into the surf. It does not look all that edible to me, but it seemed to be a prize for the gull. The gull was so busy with it that it let me get quite close. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.