Snow Bunting (w/1D3)

Very good shots. Like the low angle in the first one.

Thanks for the nice comments, everyone! It was fun seeing a snow bunting for the first time. Hopefully it won't be too long before I get the chance to try out the camera on some birds in flight to see what it's capable of.

ngannet wrote in post #4161391
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.

I agree - the times I've been out with serious birders I've enjoyed it somewhat, because I usually learn something, but for me I tend to enjoy just being outside and seeing what's there, rather than looking for specific birds to check off a list. Sometimes I'll go looking for a bird, like the snowy owls at the MSP airport, and it was cool to see the owls there, but I'd much rather go to a park and enjoy nature than hang out at the airport! And of course, with photography you have to get close, but with birding all you have to do is be able to identify the bird. So that's why I was much more excited about the snow bunting than the cranes yesterday.

Dbirdman wrote in post #4161529
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

I think you may be right - in observing the WTS in my yard, there definitely seem to be more tan-striped.

Liz absolute belting pics, the Snow bunting is a regular winter visitor on my side of the pond> And i was lucky to encounter a WT sparrow a few years ago at Flamborough Head. your photos are great reminders of how beautifull these birds are.

Lovely shots Liz. Creamy and crisp at the same time

Excellent shots. Great light in the Snow Bunting capture.

Great shots Liz! Snow Buntings are so hard to get near, you really pulled this off! Congrats. Oh and congrats on the new camera

They are both excellent but I really love the Snow Bunting image. Beautiful bird and a razor sharp image. I've never seen one of these although they are supposed to be around this area.

I like the first and have never seen that bird before, but I love the second one, the texture of the perch and the pose are just so nice...
Karen

Thanks for the comments! I was very excited to see the snow bunting, my first one. I'm surprised the white-throated sparrows are still here in my hard - it seems they've been here for several weeks already.