Posts in Category: back deck feeding station
Maine! Perky personified
Red-breasted Nuthatch: York County, Maine, USA, August 2024 — Okay, maybe not “personified”, maybe “perky animated”? But you get the point. Nothing perkier than a Red-breasted Nuthatch. Fast. Spritely. Alert. And Flighty. We have been graced with this one (or several that look just like this one) over the past few rainy days, coming for sunflower seeds. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VDX zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Animal/bird recognition auto focus. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Ruler of the roost
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: York County, Maine, USA, August 2024 — Yesterday this immature male Ruby-throated Hummingbird showed up in our yard, and promptly took ownership of the hummingbird feeder…fending off our local male and female, and even the Chipping Sparrows who use the seed feeder near by. Feisty and determined. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VXD zoom at 600mm equivalent in low light. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Animal/bird subject recognition auto focus. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Catbird back
Grey Catbird: York County, Maine, USA, August 2024 — We had Catbirds in our yard all spring and into summer, likely through the nesting season…and then they disappeared…out into the wider world to make a living. They are back. Eyeing the suet in the cage above. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VXD zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. ISO 8000 @ f5.3 @ 1/500th. Animal/bird detection auto focus. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Wren on the rail
Carolina Wren: York County, Maine, USA, July 2024 — Just sitting the open back deck door, testing some new camera settings, and this Carolina Wren popped up on the deck rail. We saw the Wrens a lot in late spring and early summer, but have not seem them around the feeders for a month or more, so I was surprised to see this one. Delighted to see this one. I managed a short burst of shots before it disappeared again. Hard to say when we will see it next. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VXD zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Animal/bird subject detection auto focus. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Little Red Vacuum Cleaner
Red Squirrel: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, July 2024 — A little Red Squirrel has been visiting our back deck, cleaning up the seed the birds spill under the feeders, for the past few days. It is not the same Red Squirrel we have seen in the past. This one does not have the notched and worn ears of our previous visitor. It might be a young squirrel, one from this year’s litter. It has that factory fresh look about it. They are so cute, and so troublesome…though the worst they have done to us so far is attempt to get more seed than the birds spill. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VXD zoom at 334 and 600mm equivalents. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Animal/Bird subject recognition auto focus. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Jump for joy
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: York County, Maine, USA, July 2024 — I sat in the open deck door and waited on Hummingbirds yesterday afternoon…with some success. This one is a keeper. 🙂 Lots of exuberance. He likes the hummingbird juice. Sony A6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird modifications. Processed in Photomator and TouchRetouch (feeder removed).
Maine! Red in the morning
Red Squirrel: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, June 2024 — This is the Red Squirrel that occasionally visits our back deck feeding station, looking for whatever it can find. It does not come often enough to have figured out the squirrel proof feeders…which is a good thing…as, in my experience, feeders that are Grey Squirrel proof are not proof against Red Squirrels. He is actually welcome to any and all spilled seed, but there he has to compete with the chipmunks and his larger grey cousins. OM System OM-1 with M.Zuiko ED 100-400IS zoom at 488mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Nothing like being close: Downy edition
Downy Woodpecker: York County, Maine, USA, June 2024 — I was setting up on the back deck for some afternoon lens tests when this Downy Woodpecker flew into the perch by the suet feeder. Neither the Downys nor the Hairys have much fear of me out on the deck by now, so it was not surprising, but still, great light, and close, and the camera in my hand and set to go. Take a look at the eye! OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko ED 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird modifications. -1EV (I have my highlight alert turned on). Processed in Photomator.
Maine! What that!
Grey Squirrel: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, June 2024 — When I go out to wait for hummingbirds to photograph, I put the feeder down on the rail of the deck so I can see the hummers better when they come. This Squirrel was more than a little disturbed by the change in his territory…and our deck is definitely part of his territory (at least as far as he is concerned). He just could not figure it out, and eventually turned tail and looked for easier pickings. I was ready for him if he decided it was safe to explore the hummingbird feeder. I do not want him getting a taste for sugar water. 🙂 OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko ED 100-400IS zoom at 376mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Nothing like being close: squirrelly edition
Grey Squirrel: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, June 2024 — Another visitor to the deck while I was waiting on the hummingbirds. Between squirrel proof feeders and some training, the squirrels are mostly happy with spilled seed these days, and they are quite fearless. They are up on the deck when I am right there in my chair, pretty much daring me to do anything about it. 🙂 I am happy to let them have the spilled seed. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.