Daily Archives: August 5, 2023
India! Painted Sandgrouse
Painted Sandgrouse: near Rathambore, Rajasthan, India, March 2023 — On our way back from the Chambal River boat tour we stopped in a field, after sunset, for a few more birds in the dusky light…and chanced on this Painted Sandgrouse…evidently a rare sighting and a rarer photo (not the best photos but is was getting dark and the bird only showed for a few seconds, quite a distance away, before flying off into deeper grasses). Our local guide was certainly impressed that I got any kind of shot at all. (Though rare they are still gamebirds in India and very wary of humans.) Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro and Apple Photos. ISO 1600 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
New Mexico! Burning Rufous
Rufous Hummingbird: Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, July 2023 — I went back to Randall Davey Audubon Center in the foothills above Santa Fe a second day, with the specific purpose of catching more birds away from the feeders. This Rufous Hummingbird was guarding a feeder and had three perches, two of them in tall pines up the hill, and one in brush at the corner of the building…close enough for detail shots. Catching the gorget flashing was another whole thing! I managed a few shots. OM System OM-1 with 100-400mm zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro. ISO 800 @ f6.3 @ 1/640th.