440
Titlow Beach Park – Tacoma, Washington
April 29, 2007
There were Yellow-rumped Warblers all over the place near the north pond today. Now, getting them to sit still for a moment was another thing.
Nikon D80, Tamron 200-500 zoom at 500mm, 1/160 sec, Manfrotto tripod
439
Titlow Beach Park – Tacoma, Washington
April 29, 2007
There were little Mallards all over the north pond today. They swam so fast that it was difficult to get a crisp photograph of them. They were independent little guys. They were all over the place and you couldn’t really tell who their mother’s were.
Nikon D80, Tamron 200-500 zoom at 320mm, 1/100 sec, Manfrotto tripod
438
Titlow Beach Park
April 29, 2007
Here is a series of 4 photos. Two are of mated pairs and two of single males. The sun was low on the horizon – shots taken just after 9AM. The angle of the sun gives the ducks their rainbow colors on the black feathers.
Nikon D80, Tamron 200-500 zoom at 500mm, 1/125 sec, Manfrotto tripod
437
Titlow Beach Park
April 29, 2007
There is a small stream entering the north pond at Titlow. It really draws the birds who want a nice cool drink of water. This crow is drinking right at the mouth of the stream.
Without a tripod it would be impossible to get this shot in such low light.
Nikon D80, Tamron 200-500 zoom at 500mm, 1/40 sec, Manfrotto tripod
436
Titlow Beach Park
April 29, 2007
There were several wigeons and mallards in the north pond today. Here is a photo of one. It isn’t easy to get a crisp photo of anything moving at 1/60 sec.
Nikon D80, Tamron 200-500 zoom at 460mm, 1/60 sec, Manfrotto tripod
435
Titlow Beach Park
April 29, 2007
You know me. Every chance I get to take a photo of my favorite bird, I take it. Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t photograph every Song Sparrow I see. However, if the bird is in a nice setting, my shutter is clickin.
Nikon D80, Tamron 200-500 zoom at 500mm, 160/sec, Manfrotto tripod
434
Titlow Beach Park
Tacoma, Washington
April 29, 2007
One of the big challenges when shooting with a budget zoom lens is having enough light in forested areas or during heavy overcast skies. Basically, shooting under 1/60 sec is a recipe for failure. Occasionally the bird cooperates by remaining perfectly still for just a moment. That’s what happened here.
Nikon D80, Tamron 200-500 zoom at 200m, 1/40 sec, Manfrotto tripod
433
Vaughn Bay, Washington
April 22, 2007
Generally, bird photographers do not like to photograph birds at bird feeders. They prefer to make their shots in a natural setting. I prefer the natural setting as well, but I don’t mind the occasional feeder photo as long as the bird is clearly visible. This chickadee is looking very regal here. This species LOVES sunflower seeds.
Nikon D80, Tamron 200-500 zoom at 300 mm, 1/200 sec, Manfrotto tripd
432
Washington Coast
April 21, 2007
My wife and I went over to the Washington coast to check out the migrating shorebirds. The weather was not very good and we got a bit wet. However, we found this nature trail at the St. John’s River. It was very windy, but this Savannah Sparrow flew up in a small tree near me for a photo op.
Nikon D80, Tamron 200-500 zoom at 410mm, 1/160 sec, Manfrotto tripod
431
Vaughn Bay, Washington
April 22, 2007
This is one of two Gray Squirrels that raids the bird feeders every day. I purchased some feeders that birds can get into, but squirrels can’t. That doesn’t stop these smart little critters. They jump up on a feeder, shake it so that seed falls to the ground, and then goes to the ground to chow down. I don’t make much of an effort to stop them.
Nikon D80, Tamron 200-500 zoom at 500, 1/200 sec, Manfrotto tripod