Snow Bunting (w/1D3)

Had a chance to try out the new camera today. I went on a trip to Crex Meadows with a group to see sandhill cranes. In the parking lot of the observation area, there was this friendly little snow bunting. It didn't seem afraid of people at all. I also saw lots of cranes, a northern harrier, a northern shrike, and assorted others. But this bunting was the only thing I really photographed. It's hard to do photography in a group - birdwatching and bird photography are very different activities. Also when there are many people around, that tends to scare off the birds (one guy brought his dog!?!) The bunting was very patient while I figured out how to change focus points, etc.

Crispy! Great shots!

Looks like the new camera and lens are working good. These shots are great Liz.

Neat about the Downy. Maybe I should put up a couple boxes. I've been thinking about it.

Fantastic shot, especially the Snow Bunting, lovely lighting. Yes, birding and bird photography are very different things. I think with bird photography you get to study the bird much more rather than just 'clicking' the birds off on a list and then moving on.

Outstanding Liz, What a Combo of 1D MkIII, 500/4 and a 1.4 TC

canonloader wrote in post #4161375
Looks like the new camera and lens are working good. These shots are great Liz.

Neat about the Downy. Maybe I should put up a couple boxes. I've been thinking about it.

This is the third species to use that box - first I had chickadees nesting, then bluebirds, and now the downy roosting. Of course, the downy has greatly enlarged the hole so I'll have to replace the box if I can't get a hole reducer on there. I have a second box up, but nobody has ever used it, except for a dummy house wren nest.

Just make sure if you put up bluebird boxes that you take the proper precautions - because house sparrows can and will enter the box and kill both nestling and adult bluebirds. I made a sparrow spooker and that seemed to work - but I don't have a lot of house sparrows around in the first place. If you do have a lot of HOSP, then you'll either need to manage them, or otherwise it's best not to have a box at all. See http://www.sialis.org/ for lots of good info.

Two great images Liz;
Snow Bunting's got beautiful light; pose; and composition. Lots of excellent sharpness & detail too. BG works nicely as well, good complimentary color.

busbyea wrote in post #4161424
Two great images Liz;
Snow Bunting's got beautiful light; pose; and composition. Lots of excellent sharpness & detail too. BG works nicely as well, good complimentary color.

Thanks - imagine it's on an arctic tundra rather than a Wisconsin parking lot.

Wow, Very nice pictures. It looks like you are getting some wonderful shots with your new rig. I have noticed that the Tan-Steipe form of white-throats are a lot more common this year. It could be that I am just noticing them more though... Has any one else noticed this? Love the warm light in both of them though.

~David

Two beautiful images here. Congrats on the new camera..its in good hands!

Very lovely shots here Liz. I particularly like the sparrow.

Great shots Liz! Love the light in the first and the sparrow is super sharp! Keep 'em coming!

Great shots, congrats on the new camera!

Really nice shots Liz...both are exceptional...very sweet birds...steve

really nice shots great detail in them.
Rob.