[biz-engineer]

Ciconia, looking for food, nesting season.

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[jacamar]

Something new today. Sitting out in the blind drinking my second cup of coffee, I noticed something different.
Our best guess is it's a female Indigo Bunting, but of course we hope other opinions will be offered.

Norm - how big was it?
The bill seems big for an Indigo Bunting, the tail seems too short and don't see the marks around the face or the blue on the tail that I see in the Sibley and National Geographic guides (the National Geographic also has blue on the shoulder). Also, Ron Tozer's book doesn't have the Indigo Bunting arriving in the Algonquin area until May 12 at the earliest.
I suggest a female Brown-headed Cowbird (which is larger - 7.5" vs. 5.5" and has a proportionally shorter tail) though it seems very plain for that as well.

[wtlwdwgn]

K-3 and Sigma 150-500 Bigmos @ 500mm.

[Rupert]

One I missed processing a week ago....I liked his nice soft color.


He's on the Cheater Branch...and the branch went all the way across the frame, which is already a heavy crop. I cloned off the end of the branch for a better appearance......cheating, it's what I do when I can. Still can't match what you guys post, but if cheating helps, I'll do it!

Regards!

[WPRESTO]

This little plover was a really long way out, consequently a lot has been cropped off this image.

[Kameko]

more Osprey in flight!

[nomadkng]

A couple more from Hassayampa River Preserve.

First one is with the Sigma 500, second with my 100-300 f4.

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Last edited by nomadkng; 06-16-2016 at 08:36 AM.

[WPRESTO]

Cardinal playing a little peek-a-boo with me from some bushy branches. From this morning.

[swip]

First sighting of the Eastern Meadowlark this season.

[WPRESTO]

The head shape and eye position gives these fellows a slightly odd look. I suspect the post is regularly used as a perch.

[kengoh]

Rusty Naped Pitta, 100% cropped



Asian Barred Owlets in the open

[crewl1]

I shot this owlet at Sepulveda Basin and there is the possibility of a music festival disturbing all of the wildlife there.
If you have time can you help sign a petition to prevent the music festival from taking place? Thanks!

https://works.audubon.org/petition/stop-giant-music-festival-harming-sepulveda-wildlife-reserve

Thank you all who signed the petition, the park is safe for now.
San Fernando Valley Audubon Society » Angelfest 2016 Cancelled

Here is a Black Shouldered Kite I shot there with the Bigma.

[normhead]

More of the Fox Sparrow, I saw one over at a neighbours and this guy hanging around my place. Once you get used to their movements it's pretty easy to pick them out.

K-3 DA*200 plus stacked 1.4 and 1.7 TCs

400 ISO, F8, AV
They are definitely ground feeders, I haven't seen them in tree yet. I know they breed further north. Maybe they breed higher than the tree line and only have access to trees part of the year.





I waited a long time for him to come out in the sun. I've come to the conclusion ground feeding birds prefer shade.

[gatorguy]

Norm, you're doing a lot now with your *200 and stacked TC's. Really nice pics too! Could I assume you've decided that arrangement is getting better results for you than the *300+1.4 TC we've seen you use so often before? You're one of the few with quite a bit of shooting time with both.

[normhead]

I used the DA*60-250 before, and it's a bit of a mixed bag. Sometimes I miss the zoom, but, the 200 is a bit extra reach. AF is fine withe 60-250 and either the 1.4 or the 1.7 but not stacked. So for the wilds where usually every bit of reach helps I'll probably stick with the 200. Also it carries much easier. For the blind, I may go back to the 60-250 and 1.4 or 1.7. That last shot, I really would have liked to have back out a bit to include the tail. Beside, with two shooters in the family, there are times we need two long lenses.