Posts in Category: New Mexico
New Mexico! White-lined Sphinx Moth
White-lined Sphinx Moth: Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, July 2024 — As I mentioned a week or so ago, the plants at Randall Davey were attracting a lot of Sphinx Moths, certainly the most I have ever seen in one place at one time. I had a lot of fun trying to catch them in the frame of my camera. I found that I had to use the mechanical shutter on the Sony a6700, as the moths’ wings were just the right speed to distort with the silent electronic shutter. 🙁 Not a problem really…just a matter of switching shutters. As above, Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VXD zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my flight and action modifications. Insect subject recognition and focus. Processed in Photomator.
New Mexico! Honey
Honey Bee: Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, July 2024 — The plantings at Randall Davey attract a wide variety of pollinators, including, of course, the Western Honey Bee. I like the way the bee is framed here, and the dramatic lighting. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VDX zoom at 313mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds in flight and action modifications. Insect subject recognition and focus. Processed in Photomator.
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.
New Mexico! Looking at me
Rock Squirrel: Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. July 2024 — Clearly a nursing mother Rock Squirrel out for a snack and a break from nursing. She was very aware of me but not all that concerned. She evidently has dealt with photographers before. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Animal subject recognition. 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.
New Mexico! Honey Bee in the bee plant
Honey Bee: Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, July 2024 — The Rocky Mountain Bee-plant was, true to the name, full of bees and other insects in the gardens at the Randall Davey Audubon Center. This is common Honey Bee from someone’s hive, making the most of bloom. I used the macro region of the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom on the Sony a6700 and leaned in close…closer than a foot. The insect subject recognition works well on the Sony. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
New Mexico! Black-headed Grosbeak
Black-headed Grosbeak: Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, July 2024 — There were probably a couple of pairs of Black-headed Grosbeaks coming to the feeders at Randall Davey Audubon center in the foothills above Santa Fe, New Mexico while we were there visiting our daughter and granddaughter. Impressive birds that you would think might dominate the feeders, but the little Pine Siskins gave them a run for the bird seed. 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.
New Mexico! Skipper?
Skipper? Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, July 2024 — I know it is a skipper. I am not sure which one. Fiery? Zebulon? Don’t know my New Mexico skippers. 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.
New Mexico! Tail on
Broad-tailed Hummingbird: Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, July 2024 — Tail on and almost too close, but who could resist? Also pretty dark in the corner against the building in the garden at Randall Davey Audubon Center. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my evolving bird and wildlife action modifications. Processed in Photomator.