Posts in Category: birds
New Mexico! Siskin in the shade
Pine Siskin: Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, July 2024 — Sitting on the bench by the water fountain in the gardens at Randall Davey, this Pine Siskin flew in and posed nicely in the dappled shade of the bushes across the way. A beautiful bird in a subtle way. And, technically, I am impressed by how well the Sony a6700 handles the dynamic range here…maintaining good detail in both light and shadow. Shot with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Terns away
Common Tern: York County, Maine, USA, July 2024 — Common Terns were actively feeding at the river mouth the other day and I had some fun trying to catch them as they dove. I was surprised, when I got home, to see how many I had actually caught. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my flight and action modifications. Tracking auto focus and Bird subject recognition. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.
Colorado! Mouthful
American Robin: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Commerce City, Colorado, USA, July 2024 — The Visitor Center at RMANWR is new since I last visited and I was impressed. Lovely building and displays, and the children’s room is an exceptionally good idea. They have a little native plant garden out back, with some feeders and water, and this American Robin was active in the area…and as you can see from the photo, successfully hunting down a meal. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! If I stand up on this rock I can almost see where the fish come from
Least Tern (chick): Kennebunk, Maine, USA, July 2024 — We were gone for 10 days, visiting granddaughters in the west, and the Least Tern chicks, just hatching as we left, have grown up some. This one is no longer a little ball of fluff. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent (and a heavy crop). Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Bird subject detection. Processed in Photomator.
Colorado! Swainson’s (for the moment)
Swainson’s Hawk: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Commerce City, Colorado, USA, July 2024 — This was taken out the window of an idling car so not as sharp as might be, but still, such a majestic hawk. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Bird subject detection. Processed in Photomator.
Colorado! Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Commerce City, Colorado, USA, July 2024 — I did not see a lot of birds at RMANWR yesterday, but enough. Three Kingbirds posed in a dead and downed snag at the Gun Club Pond. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Colorado! Finch in the linden
House Finch: Centennial, Colorado, USA, July 2024 — The tribe of House Finches in Centennial seem to be doing well. This female is enjoying a linden berry from one of the ornamental trees in my daughter’s culdesac. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Bird subject detection. Processed in Photomator.
New Mexico! light and shadow
Pine Siskin: Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, July 2024 — The Pine Siskins were active this year at Randall Davey when I visited. This pair posed nicely on a cut-off limb in the dappled shade at the center of the garden. I am impressed by how naturally these scenes were rendered by the camera, considering the challenging light situation. They received no special treatment in post processing. In the first they are apparently having a serious conversation, and the second looks like a “dare you jump” scenario…but then that is just me projecting. 🙂 Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
New Mexico! Intension
Black-chinned Hummingbird: Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, July 2024 — The western counterpart of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird we get in Maine, the Black-chinned Hummingbird is energetic and graceful. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving action modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Colorado! Bushtits
American Bushtit: Centennial, Colorado, July 2024 — I went out the door in Centennial to walk to the store yesterday morning and was surrounded by a small flock of American Bushtits in the shrubs and trees of the culdesac. So I had to go back in and get my camera. Certainly a bird we don’t see in Maine. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.