Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Lens !!

MatthewK wrote in post #19053483
The rainy overcast didn't help with light, but this Prothonotary was regularly near MFD, so I started stopping down in order to keep enough of the bird in focus. I need to get back out there on a day with some sunlight.

MatthewK wrote in post #19054040
Oh man, you have no idea... nothing brightens my day more than not seeing Dark-eyed Juncos anymore (they've all gone north... hope the door didn't hit them on the way out). The Spring has brought not only a vibrant resurgence of the bird life, but also my spirits. I feel like I'm hitting on all cylinders again, and I really appreciate everyone (all 5 of you in the 500 PF thread ) putting up with my belly aching over this past winter.

Case in point: Great Crested Flycatchers have bedeviled me over the years, they just refuse to come down from the tops of the tallest trees, until today. I'm thinking that this was a juvenile, as he was so tame, a far cry from the 5 winter months where absolutely nothing would land within a country mile of me.

Just look at that great crest!

These are so beautiful
The natural growth really enhances these IMO.
The colours and compositions really make these.
All 4 are brilliant photos.

MatthewK wrote in post #19054040
Oh man, you have no idea... nothing brightens my day more than not seeing Dark-eyed Juncos anymore (they've all gone north... hope the door didn't hit them on the way out). The Spring has brought not only a vibrant resurgence of the bird life, but also my spirits. I feel like I'm hitting on all cylinders again, and I really appreciate everyone (all 5 of you in the 500 PF thread ) putting up with my belly aching over this past winter.

Case in point: Great Crested Flycatchers have bedeviled me over the years, they just refuse to come down from the tops of the tallest trees, until today. I'm thinking that this was a juvenile, as he was so tame, a far cry from the 5 winter months where absolutely nothing would land within a country mile of me.

Just look at that great crest!

Great stuff Matt!
Glad your birds are back.Starting to trickle in here!

EyeSpyEagle wrote in post #19053843
Last ones for now. Both are heavy crops. Gotta work some more.

Great shots Phil!
Wifey and I do the same,using the car as a blind when possible.Just picked up 2 Movo bean bags.Cheap and much better than my previous ones.Even come with plate to attach gimbal,if you so choose!

MedicineMan4040 wrote in post #19054191
Brilliant work on the warblers! Really never seen better.

You're too kind, Robert, thank you for the effusive compliments!

mandokid1 wrote in post #19054225
Great stuff Matt!
Glad your birds are back.Starting to trickle in here!

Thanks, Denis, glad to see everyone is finally seeing some action and getting some "bird" therapy during these trying times.

avondale87 wrote in post #19054196
These are so beautiful
The natural growth really enhances these IMO.
The colours and compositions really make these.
All 4 are brilliant photos.

Thanks, Richard. I'm glad you noticed the environmental stuff, as that's my main area of improvement this year: landing photos that include more of the environment. I'll still take a nice "bird on branch", but I really want to show more.

This is a unique bird that I've only seen twice, this past Saturday and approx this time last year - at the same Refuge.

It's a Wilson's Phalarope. They have the oddest hunting routine. They will circle rapidly (in a CW direction) and periodically pluck small crustaceans and/or aquatic insects. You can see the circular wave around these. The colorful one is a female. This was about 7:15 AM with a beautiful rising sun illuminating them, but the rapid circling made it a &*#$ to get a nice shot.

Not far from the Wilson's Phalaropes were the Long-Billed Dowitchers. It was almost as if they were scavenging behind the Phalaropes.

Least Sandpipers looking for breakfast and hiding behinds a break. Lol!

I just love Red-Headed Woodpeckers. They are especially pretty in morning & evening light.

We saw several RH's this trip; only one RB.

Snowy Egret fishing, and departing.

There were a ton of Dickcissel's too. We could hear them singing all over the place, but none were really close enough for a good shot. I had the 600 w/1.4x TC setup on another D500, but was never inclined to set the 500PF down. Just to fun & easy to use.

The flip side of the beautiful rising sun, is that ya gotta be able to get on the "good side" in order to take advantage.

Nope, I'll keep it.

We saw at least a half dozen male Painted Buntings, but not a single female. I'm thinking they are just arriving. This is a spot we've had good luck at for the past several years.

A few more Painted Buntings...

Sorry for the run-on set(s) of pics, but it's been so long since we've been able to get out that I just had to share the joy we experienced Saturday morning. We saw all these birds between 7:00 AM & 10:30 AM. It was quite a rewarding day, and despite constant 20~30mph winds there were birds out. Perhaps due to rust, wind, sheer excitement, or whatever, not all shots were as sharp as one might like but rewarding is just rewarding.

One last shot.... While photographing the Painted Buntings, I noticed something big in the sky and watch in the distance until I could see the telltale white head. What a perfect way to wrap up the day!

You guys take care and STAY SAFE!

Phil