AKA BIRD NERD

Photos By Shawn Weigelt
June 11, 2009
Carmel, Maine

Well, the four Killdeer eggs on my front lawn finally hatched and I was fortunate enough to be able to photograph one of the downy, “little peeps.”  These photographs were taken the afternoon the birds hatched.  We had only really been seeing one parent incubating the eggs or around the nest for several weeks.  Once the little ones were born, however, there were suddenly two very protective adults.  My wife and I became very concerned when we saw someone’s house cat stalking them later in the evening and I ran outside to chase it away.  I don’t know if it got any of the babies, but I was instantly aware of what a dangerous place the world is for a newborn wild animal.  I saw a parent Killdeer and one of the babies across the street the next day, but we have not seen them since.  I hope they make it….

Nikon D80 70-300mm VR, ISO 250, f/5.6
1)  at 300mm, 1/800sec
2)  at 220mm, 1/1000sec

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Photos By Shawn Weigelt
June 8, 2009
Orono Bog Bordwalk, Orono, Maine

I recently took my family and some visiting friends from out of state on a nature walk at the Orono Bog Boardwalk.  We went in the afternoon so birding was not ideal.  I took my camera along nevertheless and was rewarded with this beautiful Palm Warbler.  This bird approached quite closely and bounced from spruce to spruce chattering at us all the while.  We suspected that she was acting defensively and noticed two unfledged young clambering along the floor of the bog nearby.  We soon made ourselves scarce and left the parent and young alone.  I was fortunate to get a variety of angles, though the cover was thick and a vast majority of the photos I took were junk.

Nikon D80 70-300mm VR, ISO 160, f/5.6
1)  220mm, 1/400sec
2)  300mm, 1/160sec
3)  300mm, 1/200sec
4)  300mm, 1/400sec
5)  300mm, 1/160sec

This could have been a much nicer photograph if those branches weren’t in the way…oh well

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Photo By Shawn Weigelt
June 2, 2009
Carmel, Maine

I consider myself fortunate in that I do not get droves of blackbirds at my feeders.  I will never deny the beauty of some species of blackbird, however, Common Grackles being no exception.  I love the iridescent head and their stunning pale eyes.

Nikon D80 70-300mm VR at 250mm, 1/400sec, ISO 250, f/5.6, hand held

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Photos By Shawn Weigelt
June 2, 2009
Orono Bog Boardwalk, Orono, Maine

I found this beautiful little female Canada Warbler alongside the trail at the Orono Bog Boardwalk this morning.  You’ll have to excuse all the pictures, but this bird was very photogenic and approached quite closely as she foraged for insects among the branches.  A male was close by but did not afford me any opportunities for a photograph.  It is miraculous that any of these photos came out as the lighting was terrible!  I was hesitant to turn up my ISO in order to get a faster shutter speed because I knew the images would be way too grainy.  Fortunately she stopped flitting around just long enough for a few usable shots.

Nikon D80 70-300mm VR, f/5.6:
1, 2, and 3)  at 300mm, 1/40sec, ISO 320
4)  at 300mm, 1/30sec, ISO 250

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Photos By Shawn Weigelt
June 2, 2009
Orono, Maine

Today I had a rare opportunity to do a litle birding.  I visited a popular birding place among Bangor area birders, the Taylor Rd. bait ponds.  This was my first time coming here and was very pleased to find five pairs of Canada Geese with at least a dozen babies!  They were very cautious and did not let me get too close to their young, leading them into the water very quickly.  I love the alert posture of one of the parent birds in the photo below.

Nikon D80 70-300mm VR, ISO 200, f/5.6
1)  at 230mm, 1/400sec
2)  at 240mm, 1/160sec

Very alert…

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Photos By Shawn Weigelt
June 1, 2009
Carmel, Maine

This is a mother Killdeer who is currently sitting on four eggs on my front lawn.  Notice how she feigns injury, a trick Killdeer employ to distract potential predators from their young.  I try to give her as much space as possible when I have to go out to mow and give the nest a wide berth.

Nikon D 80 70-300mm VR:

1)  280mm, 1/640sec, ISO 160, f/5.6
2)  300mm, 1/500sec, ISo 160, f/5.6
3)  110mm, 1/640sec, ISO 160, f/4.6

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Photos By Shawn Weigelt
May 18, 2009
Carmel, Maine

I don’t get to go birding very often but sometimes I am treated to a real gem in my own backyard.  Malia spotted this beautiful adult male Eastern Bluebird perched on one of the shepherd’s hooks for our feeders.  He was very cooperative for us as we scrambled for our cameras and started shooting.  His colors are absolutely exquisite!  I LOVE this time of year!

Nikon D80 70-300mm VR
1)  at 280mm, 1/200sec, ISO 200, f/5.6
2)  at 300mm, 1/160sec, ISO 200, f/5.6

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Photo By Shawn Weigelt
May 18, 2009
Carmel, Maine

Chipping Sparrows are little feathery balls of energy!  They seem to always be on the move and I’ve found it very challenging to get a decent photograph of one.  This individual held still just long enough for me to get a postable shot.

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

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Photos By Shawn Weigelt
May 18, 2009
Carmel, Maine

Not to be outdone by Malia, I wanted to post my own photos of this beautiful couple.  We have seen two pairs in our yard recently, and on one occasion we watched them have a battle with all four birds getting in the mix!  It is amazing to watch these birds feed.  Their massive bills are perfectly suited to opening sunflower seeds.  They are able to do it so quickly and effortlessly.

Nikon D80 70-300mm VR
1)  at 230mm, 1/320sec, ISO 250, f/5.6
2)  at 300mm, 1/250sec, ISO 250, f/5.6
3)  at 195mm, 1/320sec, ISO 200, f/5.3

Male

Female

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Photo By Malia Weigelt
May 18, 2009
Carmel, Maine

Malia spotted this beautiful pair chowing down on some sunflower seeds on our back deck this afternoon.  She captured this nice image with her new camera.  Great photo, Malia!

Canon SX10IS, 1/250sec, ISO 200, f/5.0, hand held.

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