A bird potpourri of sorts, just to give you a feeling for some of the other birds I’ve been photographing in the last ten days.
There’s nothing spectacular here, no interesting behaviors, unusual poses or rare species. But I think all of them are nice images that deserve to be seen. And there’s a variety of species which doesn’t happen often on my blog. I’m a little embarrassed by the camera settings in a couple of them but if I like the photo I guess that takes a back seat.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 1250, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
A Greater Yellowlegs feeding at the 4-way at Farmington Bay. I have many photos of this bird with more even light on the body but in this case I like the graded light from front to back. And the water drop at the tip of the bill.
1/6400, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
A Wild Turkey in the Stansbury Mountains. This bird was one of a small flock but most of them kept their heads down as they were feeding. I think this bird may have been a sentry because it spent much of its time with its head up in an alert pose. I didn’t get many shots that didn’t have other turkeys messing up the background.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 800 Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
A Gadwall drake in breeding plumage on Glover Pond in Farmington. This bird came in very close and there’s incredible detail in the high-resolution image. A bit more of a head turn toward me would have been nice.
1/4000, f/7.1 ISO 800, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
A juvenile Red-tailed Hawk turning on its perch prior to takeoff. It was using its wings during the process of turning to maintain stability on the awkward and prickly perch. I posted other photos of this bird previously but not this one.
I’m still waiting for birds to pick up a little around here but the adult Northern Goshawk I spotted two days ago gives me hope. And it’s looking like we might have a pretty good winter for Ferruginous Hawks.
Now if some of them will just cooperate…
Ron
A delightful mix! The first was fabulous! Lighting, water drop, all of it.
I’m glad you liked them, Arwen. Thanks
Oooh and ahhh.
How I love your potpourii. Mind you commercial potpourri is something I have difficulties with (it impinges on my breathing). Your version is a delight.
Thanks very much, EC.
Beautiful photos and beautiful birds (maybe a stretch for the turkey). Makes one ponder the varied “lifestyles” of birds.
It surely does, Lyle. Thanks.
Good photos Ron – like them all. I could not correctly identify the yellow legs unless I saw the legs. To me there are a few other wadding birds that look just like that. Love the turkey – have still not ever seen one in the wild. I remember seeing some beauties in a fenced orchard at Capitol Reef up your way there in Utah.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
“To me there are a few other wadding birds that look just like that”
Ha, I know the feeling, Everett. And then even if you can see their legs there’s another issue – is it a Greater or Lesser Yellowlegs?
Great shots Ron! We have 5ninches of snow here and it’s still snowing.
Charlotte
I’m jealous of your snow, Charlotte.
Nice! Incredible detail on the Gadwell and like the dip in the water and reflection for the Greater Yellowlegs…… 🙂 Chinook time here(51 yesterday) which finally got some VERY icy roads cleared off before another short blast of winter starting tonight. Gravel roads were also VERY icy for a couple of days adding challenges to some who have long distances to go on them! ;(
Ahhh, Montana winters. I remember them so well. Thanks, Judy.
Excellent shots regardless of settings! The Gadwall and it reflection is a beauty!
Cold, cloudy, headed for storm, maybe snow this PM. Here in the East, at least the northern part of the East, Fall took a back seat to winter. Everything is almost frozen solid!
Thanks, Dick. It’s been cold here but we’ve had mostly blue skies. No storms on the horizon.