AKA BIRD NERD

Photos By Shawn Weigelt
February 15, 2010
Olympic Game Farm, Sequim, Washington

On a recent visit to the Olympic Game Farm (a drive through type of zoo) we saw dozens of Common Ravens together with gulls and Bald Eagles.  Visitors to the park are given a loaf of bread (for a fee) to feed to many of the animals as they stick their heads into your car!  The wild birds, including the very intelligent ravens, hang around as a clean up crew, quickly snatching up the scraps of bread that the grazers miss.  Those of you who know me realize that I absolutely love ravens.  I was almost more focused on getting decent raven photos than the yaks and elk that were poking their heads through my window!  Stay tuned for our Olympic Game Farm experience!

Nikon D80 70-300mm VR, at 300mm, ISO 200, f/5.6, hand held
1)  at 1/80sec
2)  at 1/125sec
3)  at 1/200sec

“Look what I got!”

This raven was looking down it’s beak at me.  What a snob!  Must think he’s sooo smart!

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Photos By Shawn Weigelt
February 8, 2010
Sequim, Washington

While staying in Sequim for a weekend we decided to check out some local agricultural land to look for some Trumpeter Swan’s.  The bird nerd and I had learned about a flock seen in the area through the, “Tweeters,” e-mail list.  This list compiles the bird sightings taken from fellow birders across Washington and Oregon.  Malia, the kids, and I drove to a familiar area where we have seen a local Elk herd in the past.  Sure enough, we found a large flock of Trumpeter Swans in a corn field.  Malia counted at least 104 swans!  Also present were Canada Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese.  The swans and Greater White-fronted Geese were lifer sightings so we were pretty excited!  They are massive birds, the largest native species of waterfowl in North America!  Despite their large size, they retain such grace and elegance.  Absolutely gorgeous.  We have an amazing God!

Nikon D80 70-300mm VR, 1/250sec, ISO 200, f/5.6, hand held

This individual is on sentry duty, keeping a close eye on me while the other birds are feeding.

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Photo By Shawn Weigelt
February 5, 2010
Theler Wetlands, Belfair, Washington

I seem to always be able to find Song Sparrows along the trails of Theler Wetlands.  The bird nerd recently posted a photo of a Song Sparrow at Theler.  Maybe this is the same bird?!?  After all, it’s very photogenic!

Nikon D80 70-300mm VR at 300mm, 1/100sec, ISO 250, f/5.6, hand held

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Photo By Shawn Weigelt
January 26, 2010
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Nisqually, Washington

This gorgeous heron posed for me along the banks of a wooded creek at the refuge.  It always excites me to see these birds!

Nikon D80 70-300mm VR at 300mm, 1/60sec, ISO 250, f/5.6, hand held

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Photos By Shawn Weigelt
January 26, 2010
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Nisqually, Washington

HELP!  I’m becoming more like my father-in-law!  I’m developing a backlog of un-processed and un-posted bird photos!  I usually don’t get this far behind, but the stringent demands of being a domestic engineer have prevented me from keeping up with this stuff.  Anyway, here are a couple of shots of some Canada’s coming in for a formation water landing at Nisqually NWR.

Nikon D80 70-300mm VR at 300mm, 1/250sec, ISO 250, f/5.6, hand held

Splashdown!

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Photos By Malia Weigelt
February 7, 2010
Carrie Blake Park, Sequim, Washington

My wife, Malia, took these exceptional photos of a pretty male American Wigeon.  Carrie Blake Park has proven to be a gold mine for wintering wigeons, as we almost always find several hundred of them there.  We have been very impressed with Malia’s Canon advanced point and shoot.  It seems able to do everything from taking great quality video to family pictures, landscapes, and nature photos such as these.  Great job babe!

Canon XS10 IS, ISO 200, f/5.0, hand held
1)  at 1/125sec
2)  at 1/160sec

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Theyer Wetlands – Belfair, Washington
October 19, 2009

This lone female was hanging out by herself. Maybe the male got blasted. There are duck hunter blinds at the fringes of the wetlands.

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Theyer Wetlands – Belfair, Washington
October 19, 2009

It was a rather slow day for birding, but this friendly little sparrow provided an opportunity.

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Theyer Wetlands – Belfair, Washington
October 19, 2009

Again, it is not always about the bird, but the whole habitat setting.

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Vaughn Bay, Washington
December 21, 2008

I’m not used to seeing a Killdeer this time of year. We don’t get very much snow in Puget Sound, but this was an exception. This poor little bird sat in this spot on our sea wall all day. I don’t think he was a happy camper.

BTW, this is the last 2008 photo from the LOST files and now I’ll get back to 2009.

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