Horned Larks

[ngannet]

I love these little birds. What a treat it was to see a large flock of them (and see my first Lapland Longspur!) Unfortunately the longspur shots didn't turn out so good:( But I was pretty happy with these. Amazing how well these birds seem to blend into whatever environment they are in.

http://www.pbase.com/ngannet/image/74264381.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/ngannet/image/74264383.jpg

[downywp]

Very nice, congrats on the sighting and pics... you had to be lying on the ground to get these images!:)

[canonloader]

Nice shots Bob. I can't believe how many birds I've heard of but haven't seen, until I look through the forums. :)

[ngannet]

Thanks guys. Yep, I was on the ground, not lying down, good idea though!

[dancad]

Cool! I like the habitat. On the first I like the space you left above that the Lark is looking into. I like the your new motto :-)

[cfcRebel]

Nice images of the bird, ngannet. Great timing in #1 as the bird was looking up.
Wish i get a chance to see such beautiful bird one day.

[DonE]

I can see where this bird would blend into just about any surroundings. Cool looking bird and great shots.

[bromm]

Very nice! well done Bob. beautiful bird.

[ngannet]

Thanks all. I didn't think these would get that many comments as it's not super showy. I think they are beautiful and fun to watch. Fee, check out gravelly areas, beaches, airports, bare fields. Places you wouldn't expect to find birds! They are found in those flat areas. These were in a parking lot near a boat launch at a reservoir. Dancad, thanks, I thought the sig was appropriate too!;)

[EdV]

When I grow up, I want to be like Bob! :D Really nice images again. How long have you been doing this? Just curious whether I have enough years left!

[ngannet]

Hahaha, don't wish that on yourself!:lol: I've been seriously photographing for only about 2 years or so. Prior to that I had a Minolta camera which was basically a point and shoot SLR, not many options so I had to rely on good light. And back then I was mainly shooting native plants/wildflowers which are a lot more cooperative and stationary! Thanks for your compliments!

[EdV]

Hahaha, don't wish that on yourself!:lol: I've been seriously photographing for only about 2 years or so. Prior to that I had a Minolta camera which was basically a point and shoot SLR, not many options so I had to rely on good light. And back then I was mainly shooting native plants/wildflowers which are a lot more cooperative and stationary! Thanks for your compliments!

Very interesting. Until a few months ago I was using a little Canon A510 and shooting lots of wildflowers. I am still thinking Macro for wildflowers this spring. But I am waiting on a Kenko 1.4x TC and have my eye on that 400mm f/5.6 (or possibly the 100-400 or the Bigma or the Tamron 200-500 but probably the 400).

Hey, if you have a minute, check out my "Cleared for Landing (Gull)" image a couple of pages down. Can you id the gull. It is a juvie. Thanks.

[ngannet]

I love wildflowers and have been into them for years. That's how I really got into birding just by seeing interesting birds while looking for native plants. I have a bunch of wildflower shots that I haven't yet uploaded. I definitely want to take a lot more in the spring. Good luck with choosing one of those lenses, they're all very nice! I'd like to try one of those Bigmas! Have you ever rented from this place (http://www.rentglass.com/shop.aspx?type=Canon) before? I have and they have some of the lenses you're interested in. Can't beat it. In case you didn't see it in your gull post, it's a juv. Herring Gull, cool action shot too!

[Sindri Skulason]

Very good shots of a subject that can be very hard to spot. Well done. :-)