Bird Migration and Misc Birding Thread
- Thread starter Kinch
- Start date
Birds in flight are hard. I need some work on my panning. I have a new Nikon Z-lens, 180-600mm. Not as good as a pro prime lens but versatile for birding walkabouts. It is better than my old lens as it's faster on the auto focus. Older lens was pretty slow on the auto focus especially if the bird was flying at you, it just could not keep up. One thing I am vacillating some on is the built in vibration reduction. It's indispensable for me since I am generally handholding and not trying to shoot inflight birds. I read conflicting assessment one whether you should have it on or off for panning for inflight shooting. I really need to get some of the programable function keys set up so I can turn it on or off faster.
Practiced some in Mexico on flyby pelicans and terns along the beach and had disappointing results. Now trying to remember if I have the VR on or off. Also have a tough time on birds like an egret that are all white and can fool the exposure. It's not like you can compensate that easily (at least for inflight) on the fly when an all white or mostly black bird messes with things.
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For a not uncommon bird the bluebird is one I rarely get a good look at. They have a sixth sense that allows them to avoid me. One of my nemesis birds.
Pictures or it never happened
I knew I would have prove to my daughter also, we kinda compete that way with birds. So here it is.Attachments
Just mount a bluebird box, even if they might not nest in it, you will get frequent visitors. My record: 1st year 2 broods of bluebirds, next year wrens had a couple broods in it, last year I put up a wren house about 15 yards away, a mistake, the bluebirds made put a bunch of sticks in it, but the wrens chased off the bluebirds. This year the wren house will not be in th line of sight with the bluebird house.
Here are plans for a bluebird box. I use cedar fence boards, about $2.50 a piece at Home Depot or Mennards. The entry hole should be 1 1/2 inches for and Eastern Bluebird.
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I didn't realize what little stinkers wrens were until I put up a wren box decades ago. And noisy too on a little lot like mine!
Tape record them when they are scolding or even singing. Then play it back loudly for them just to get even, my wife thinks its mean, but whatever.
Pre-dawn robins here for me.
Got to turn on a fan near the bed for enough white noise to drown them out.
Canadian Geese here. We cant sleep with the windows open in nice weather or we will be up at daylight all summer with those b*****ds.Pre-dawn robins here for me.
Got to turn on a fan near the bed for enough white noise to drown them out.
Bluebird Today. SW IL. Sorry about picture quality. Taken through porch screen.
I had to return to Iowa last August to help my son move from NW Montana to the Des Moines area. Some backyard birding at a relatives home. We do not see any/many Cardinals around NW Montana.
Heck of an April 1st sight. We had about 3" of wet stuff- with potentially more tonight.
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Yeah, I got the 500mm new about four years ago. At that time I didn't think I would ever get mirrorless cameras because at my age it didn't seem worth it. But last summer I decided to get new mirrorless bodies so in hindsight I wish I had waited on the 500. But the EF lens works great with the adaptor and I am sure if I wanted to trade the EF for the RF lens it would be a huge amount of money. I did get the canon 100-300 f2.8 zoom which is a fantastic lens.
I hand hold everything even with the 500. I have just never been able to follow action very well with a monopod. The weight of the 500mm is only a problem with soccer when it's non-stop. It gets pretty heavy if there are no breaks in the action. Football is a lot easier because there is so many breaks.
This was taken this past Sunday. I took the Mrs. To brunch in Maverick Sport XRC. I bought this and a plow for it to push the "turrible" white stuff around. If you look closely you can see "Last Best Dispensary" lurking next to our eatery. That is how quickly our weather can change because of the mountains. If you notice no "white stuff."
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