Stubborn persistence paid off with a photo I really wanted to get.
Long ago, Bullock’s Orioles used to show up in my yard occasionally but then they stopped coming, for years, and I don’t know why. But two days ago a beautiful adult male appeared at my feeder, repeatedly all day long. When he continued to do the same thing yesterday I became determined to photograph him in flight. But he refused to fly out of the tops of my tall Catalpa trees and down to my yard while I was outside and if I spotted him at the feeder through a window while I was inside, he always flew off as soon as I opened the door.
So I decided to try a different tactic. I waited until late afternoon when I could sit quietly in the shade on my patio, camera in hand. I know from experience that when I’m in the shade, birds tend to be much less nervous about my presence.
It worked. He flew down from the trees and to my feeders several times while I was on my patio and he didn’t even seem nervous, even though I know that he knew I was there.
But that was only half of the battle. I still had to get the flight shot I was after and it wouldn’t be easy.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 400mm
I got lucky.
I got this single flight shot right after he took off from the feeder with most of his body turned at a 90° angle to me. I had good light on him, he’s plenty sharp enough, his tail is flared, there’s light in his eye and I really like that wing position.
I’m always impressed by how birds, whether perched or in flight, keep their heads level. No matter what their body angle is.
In the end it’s only a feeder shot, as evidenced by the feeder perch I removed in the same photo above, the neighbor’s house in the upper background and my back fence in the lower background.
But I think it’s a very good feeder shot of a gorgeous bird and I’m delighted to have it.
Ron
WELL DONE. And thank you.
Thanks, EC.
Very pretty shot. I don’t get orioles in my yard even with having feeders with jelly and oranges. They are in the gully area and I have had them in my cherry tree, but way up high. I saw orioles everywhere on my last trip. I was shocked to see them in Holt Canyon by Enterprise, Utah. I did not pack my camera while surface rock hounding. The 5 gallon bucket full of tools and rocks was enough!
April, a knowledgeable birder I know said that he’s been seeing unusually high numbers of them along the Jordan River near my house. I wish I could walk it.
Hey you had a good plan. We have to out smart those animals and birds once in a while. He is a beautiful yellow color. Glad your new feeder is working well for you. Thank you Ron for catching the Bullock Oriole and posting the photo.
Trudy, I don’t outsmart them very often but occasionally I do come out on top.
Wow that’s a keeper! Congratulations Ron 😀
Thanks, Kathleen.
Your patience was rewarded! He’s a beaut! What an interesting flight position as well.
The Black Phoebes are using my patio furniture as perches for training their fledglings. Haven’t taken any pictures through my filthy sliders yet, but the entertainment factor is definitely worth the poop all over my patio!
Thanks, Marty. I don’t have filthy sliders but then I don’t have sliders. It’s a French door, and yes the glass is dirty, if not quite filthy.
Excellent strategy and very nice results. Beautiful shots of a beautiful bird.
Thanks, Everett. Sometimes new strategies actually work!
A golden flight. Fabulous.
Thank you, Sallie.
Nicely done Ron. Happy you got ‘the shot’.
The fanned out tail feathers really are striking.
Thanks, Michael.
Beautiful! 🙂 REALLY captured him in detail!
We usually get at least one pair and have noted the arrival of a male. Another beautiful bird with a less than pleasant voice! 😉
For whatever reason, dog ticks are BAD this year. Birds need to get busy! 😉
Thanks, Judy. They’re so strikingly beautiful I can easily overlook their “voice”. Good luck with the ticks.
Stunning!!
Thank you, Sue.