300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses

**MossyRocks** · 09-02-2020, 09:28 PM

Originally posted by Sqideyes

Fairy Wrens

I need a bird that color blue.

**goatsNdonkey** · 09-03-2020, 01:33 PM

Originally posted by dbs

Hi Rod

Yes Rod but the pidgeons are 1,000 to 1 to the crows, the galahs thats a bit closer.

Dave

Pigeons are are actually Rock Doves. Originally, in the wild places in Europe they came from, they nested along cliffs. But here and now they have adapted to using building ledges, bridge structural members, barn lofts, and similar man-made things as substitutes. They have an amazing range of colorations and patterns, and perhaps we shouldn't forget the value of homing pigeons (same species), who at one time were very valuable for communication. In World War I, peoples lives were saved because of military communiques carried by homing pigeons.
,

**Lowell Goudge** · 09-03-2020, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by goatsNdonkey

Pigeons are are actually Rock Doves. Originally, in the wild places in Europe they came from, they nested along cliffs. But here and now they have adapted to using building ledges, bridge structural members, barn lofts, and similar man-made things as substitutes. They have an amazing range of colorations and patterns, and perhaps we shouldn't forget the value of homing pigeons (same species), who at one time were very valuable for communication. In World War I, peoples lives were saved because of military communiques carried by homing pigeons.
,

Even in areas where true wild rock doves exist, e-bird will not accept a sighting of a rock dove, the will only accept the ferrel pigeon / rock pigeon sighting. I have had some sightings rejected even in regions where the wild rock dove is documented.

It would seem they are going to declare it as extinct in the wild and only consider the feral pigeon as a species shortly

**goatsNdonkey** · 09-03-2020, 03:14 PM

That may be, but I knew a guy who went to grad school, and his ornithology teacher only called them "rock doves." My friend said he got so confused, because when he looked around all he could see were pigeons.

They are still remarkable birds, though I generally think very negative thoughts about introduced species. Anybody who's ever seen your "feral pigeions" darting between moving taxi-cab wheels to pick up green popcorn on the streets of Chicago, the day after St. Patrick's day, can't fail to be impressed!

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

Even in areas where true wild rock doves exist, e-bird will not accept a sighting of a rock dove, the will only accept the ferrel pigeon / rock pigeon sighting. I have had some sightings rejected even in regions where the wild rock dove is documented.

It would seem they are going to declare it as extinct in the wild and only consider the feral pigeon as a species shortly

**gaweidert** · 09-03-2020, 03:20 PM

Originally posted by MossyRocks

I need a bird that color blue.

The eastern bluebird is pretty spectacular but still somewhat rare. Active programs of nesting boxes and trails of nest boxes maintained by volunteers has helped them make a comeback in the last 40 years or so. They were pretty much pushed out of their normal nesting area by sparrows and starlings introduced from Europe in the early 20th century and their populations plummeted.

The western mountain bluebird is much more common. We usually see some when we visit Yellowstone.

I saw an eastern bluebird stop by my yard this year for a few minutes. The first one I have ever seen in the 35+ years we have lived here.

**termy** · 09-04-2020, 06:49 AM - **6 Likes**

DFA 150-450.
f13, shutter 1/1000, iso800.

noelpolar · 09-04-2020, 06:51 AM - **14 Likes**

So many Wrens.... so little time.

**MossyRocks** · 09-04-2020, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by gaweidert

I saw an eastern bluebird stop by my yard this year for a few minutes. The first one I have ever seen in the 35+ years we have lived here.

I think I saw an eastern bluebird this spring, it matched some sample photos I look up, but it was only briefly on my deck and flew away . Other than that one time I haven't seen one. You are right about them being rather spectacular to see though.

Ducatigaz · 09-04-2020, 08:04 AM - **17 Likes**

A few recent pictures. K-3ii/FA*600mm F4 ED [IF]/RRS BH-55/Kirk window mount.

K-5/Sigma 800mm F5.6 APO EX/RRS BH-55/Kirk window mount.

Taken at around 500m

**alfa75ts** · 09-04-2020, 08:05 PM - **21 Likes**

Well, it's been a pretty lousy Pardalote season so far what with lockdowns and weather. I've heard a few, fewer than normal, but not been able to get close to any. Until today, finally found a nesting pair

**Canada_Rockies** · 09-04-2020, 09:15 PM

Originally posted by alfa75ts

Well, it's been a pretty lousy Pardalote season so far what with lockdowns and weather. I've heard a few, fewer than normal, but not been able to get close to any. Until today, finally found a nesting pair

Lovely images of very pretty birds.

**alfa75ts** · 09-04-2020, 09:30 PM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

very pretty birds

They have to be my favourite, as small as a mouse, as quiet in flight as a Butterfly, braver than a lion (proportionally), curious as a cat, but unseen and unknown to most people.

Arjay Bee · 09-05-2020, 03:35 AM - **6 Likes**

A morning at the beach, Ocean Beach, Northland NZ

K3 & HD 55-300

**ivanvernon** · 09-05-2020, 04:05 AM - **4 Likes**

A few shots with several flower shots at MFD or near MFD and a distant (about 400 yards) treeline.

KIT: K-1 with Mamiya 645 C 500mm f 8.0 reflex/mirror lens.

**Canada_Rockies** · 09-05-2020, 08:46 AM

Originally posted by Arjay Bee

A morning at the beach, Ocean Beach, Northland NZ
K3 & HD 55-300

Don't you know that Pentax equipment doesn't work for action shots? I love the backlit effect.

Originally posted by ivanvernon

A few shots with several flower shots at MFD or near MFD and a distant (about 400 yards) treeline.

KIT: K-1 with Mamiya 645 C 500mm f 8.0 reflex/mirror lens.

Nice work. It sort of shoots down all the negativity about mirror lenses, doesn't it.

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09-02-2020, 09:28 PM	#34171
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Originally posted by Sqideyes Fairy Wrens I need a bird that color blue.

09-03-2020, 01:33 PM	#34172
goatsNdonkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Fulton County, Illinois Posts: 3,727	Originally posted by dbs Hi Rod Yes Rod but the pidgeons are 1,000 to 1 to the crows, the galahs thats a bit closer. Dave Pigeons are are actually Rock Doves. Originally, in the wild places in Europe they came from, they nested along cliffs. But here and now they have adapted to using building ledges, bridge structural members, barn lofts, and similar man-made things as substitutes. They have an amazing range of colorations and patterns, and perhaps we shouldn't forget the value of homing pigeons (same species), who at one time were very valuable for communication. In World War I, peoples lives were saved because of military communiques carried by homing pigeons. ,

09-03-2020, 02:46 PM	#34173
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,887	Originally posted by goatsNdonkey Pigeons are are actually Rock Doves. Originally, in the wild places in Europe they came from, they nested along cliffs. But here and now they have adapted to using building ledges, bridge structural members, barn lofts, and similar man-made things as substitutes. They have an amazing range of colorations and patterns, and perhaps we shouldn't forget the value of homing pigeons (same species), who at one time were very valuable for communication. In World War I, peoples lives were saved because of military communiques carried by homing pigeons. , Even in areas where true wild rock doves exist, e-bird will not accept a sighting of a rock dove, the will only accept the ferrel pigeon / rock pigeon sighting. I have had some sightings rejected even in regions where the wild rock dove is documented. It would seem they are going to declare it as extinct in the wild and only consider the feral pigeon as a species shortly

09-03-2020, 03:14 PM	#34174
goatsNdonkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Fulton County, Illinois Posts: 3,727	That may be, but I knew a guy who went to grad school, and his ornithology teacher only called them "rock doves." My friend said he got so confused, because when he looked around all he could see were pigeons. They are still remarkable birds, though I generally think very negative thoughts about introduced species. Anybody who's ever seen your "feral pigeions" darting between moving taxi-cab wheels to pick up green popcorn on the streets of Chicago, the day after St. Patrick's day, can't fail to be impressed! Originally posted by Lowell Goudge Even in areas where true wild rock doves exist, e-bird will not accept a sighting of a rock dove, the will only accept the ferrel pigeon / rock pigeon sighting. I have had some sightings rejected even in regions where the wild rock dove is documented. It would seem they are going to declare it as extinct in the wild and only consider the feral pigeon as a species shortly

09-03-2020, 03:20 PM	#34175
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	Originally posted by MossyRocks I need a bird that color blue. The eastern bluebird is pretty spectacular but still somewhat rare. Active programs of nesting boxes and trails of nest boxes maintained by volunteers has helped them make a comeback in the last 40 years or so. They were pretty much pushed out of their normal nesting area by sparrows and starlings introduced from Europe in the early 20th century and their populations plummeted. The western mountain bluebird is much more common. We usually see some when we visit Yellowstone. I saw an eastern bluebird stop by my yard this year for a few minutes. The first one I have ever seen in the 35+ years we have lived here.

09-04-2020, 06:51 AM - 14 Likes	#34177
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	So many Wrens.... so little time.

09-04-2020, 07:39 AM	#34178
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Originally posted by gaweidert I saw an eastern bluebird stop by my yard this year for a few minutes. The first one I have ever seen in the 35+ years we have lived here. I think I saw an eastern bluebird this spring, it matched some sample photos I look up, but it was only briefly on my deck and flew away . Other than that one time I haven't seen one. You are right about them being rather spectacular to see though.

09-04-2020, 08:04 AM - 17 Likes	#34179
Ducatigaz Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Blunsdon,Wiltshire, UK Posts: 1,503	A few recent pictures. K-3ii/FA*600mm F4 ED [IF]/RRS BH-55/Kirk window mount. K-5/Sigma 800mm F5.6 APO EX/RRS BH-55/Kirk window mount. Taken at around 500m

09-04-2020, 09:15 PM	#34181
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by alfa75ts Well, it's been a pretty lousy Pardalote season so far what with lockdowns and weather. I've heard a few, fewer than normal, but not been able to get close to any. Until today, finally found a nesting pair Lovely images of very pretty birds.

09-04-2020, 09:30 PM	#34182
alfa75ts Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,356	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies very pretty birds They have to be my favourite, as small as a mouse, as quiet in flight as a Butterfly, braver than a lion (proportionally), curious as a cat, but unseen and unknown to most people.

09-05-2020, 03:35 AM - 6 Likes	#34183
Arjay Bee Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Horn Island, Torres Straits, Q Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,715	A morning at the beach, Ocean Beach, Northland NZ K3 & HD 55-300

09-05-2020, 08:46 AM	#34185
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by Arjay Bee A morning at the beach, Ocean Beach, Northland NZ K3 & HD 55-300 Don't you know that Pentax equipment doesn't work for action shots? I love the backlit effect. Originally posted by ivanvernon A few shots with several flower shots at MFD or near MFD and a distant (about 400 yards) treeline. KIT: K-1 with Mamiya 645 C 500mm f 8.0 reflex/mirror lens. Nice work. It sort of shoots down all the negativity about mirror lenses, doesn't it.