Subtle Beauty

Subtle beauty.

 

As vivid as the male Northern Cardinal’s color is, especially against the white snow, the female’s beauty really stood out more so in my eyes. Only splashed with some red and orange their browns and tans just made them jump out to me perfectly in the snow. I’ve mentioned the reason males and females of many songbirds are different, known as sexual dichromatism, the females are more attracted to colorful males, but because they are more vulnerable to predators since they are the ones who incubate the eggs, they tend to be much more drab in color. Being more “drab” in no way means less beautiful though in the case of a lot of the birds, the Northern Cardinal being one of them.

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 400, shutter speed of 1/250th of a second, Sirui P424S monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #BearWoodsWildlifeSanctuary, #BearWoodsPhotography

The Bear Woods birds on a snowy day

The Bear Woods birds on a snowy day.

 

I really enjoyed sitting on the back porch the other day photographing my winter snow birds.

Here is my video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y19qzldoL2I

A lot of the birds, well most of the birds, are year round residents with the exception of the Juncos and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. On a day where the snow came so fast and unexpectedly, it was important to make sure the feeders stayed full and clear of snow. The birds were very tolerant of my presence and it was almost like they knew I was there to help them. It was great to relax with my feathered friends.

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 560, shutter speed of 1/250th of a second, Sirui P424S monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #BearWoodsWildlifeSanctuary, #BirdPhotography, #BirdNirdvana, #BearWoodsPhotography

Taiga, Great Grey Owl at TRC

Taiga, Great Grey Owl at TRC.

 

I could look at Taiga and her facial expressions for hours. Becky, the Education Director at the Teton Raptor Center, said Taiga has the look like she is always surprised. That is the perfect description for her. The “shot” still alludes me that I want to get of her, the one where she is looking directly into the camera. I have several that are close, but depth of field is an issue. I get her beak sharp, but the eyes are a little soft. I will just consider it something to look forward to visiting in 2021 at our Winter Workshop in the Tetons.

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon Z7, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 560, shutter speed of 1/500th of a second, Sirui P326 monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImgeMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #TetonRaptorCenter, #SiruiUSA, #NatureInFocusPhotographyWorkshops, #BearWoodsPhotography

Beatrix, the female American Kestrel at TRC

Beatrix, the female American Kestrel at TRC.

 

I posted an image recently of Frost the male American Kestrel, and also one of them together a while back, but this is Beatrix’s portrait. She is not as colorful as her male counterpart, but absolutely beautiful as well. The Teton Raptor Center is fantastic not only for the birds they have in their Educational Program, but for all the birds in the area.

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon Z7, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 1100, shutter speed of 1/500th of a second, Sirui P326s monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #TetonRaptorCenter, #NatureInFocusPhotographyWorkshops, #BearWoodsPhotography

Frost, male American Kestrel at TRC

Frost, male American Kestrel at TRC.

 

One of the birds that fascinate me the most when we do our educational program with the Teton Raptor Center is Frost, the male American Kestrel. Frost is the smallest of the raptors at TRC, but super popular. He came to the TRC as the result of being frozen to a pipe during a storm. The end result was he is unable to fly, but is very active and a great ambassador. I wanted to include the hand to give an idea of size. Kestrels feed mainly on smaller prey including grasshoppers and large insects. I remember when I was younger always seeing them on power lines beside fields.

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon Z7, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 900, shutter speed of 1/500th of a second, Sirui P326 monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #TetonRaptorCenter, #NatureInFocusPhotographyWorkshops, #BearWoodsPhotography

Hardeman, the Red-tailed Hawk at TRC

Hardeman, the Red-tailed Hawk at TRC.

 

When we take our group to the educational program with the Teton Raptor Center, Becky, the Educational Director, will often ask if we can capture a few images of birds they need for their purposes. We are always glad to do what we can to help so we focused on a few birds this year for her. Hardeman was one of the birds we spent extra time with for portraits. Hardeman is named for the historic barn that is located on the property where the TRC is located. This past year the moved the barn over slightly to help preserve it for years to come. Hardeman was brought to the Center after being struck by a car and lost vision in his right eye. With all the focus on the renovations at the TRC and how incredible it will be with all the new structures, the historic barn will be a center point of how the new there has embraced the historic past of the property. Hardeman’s namesake will be talked about often and each time he educates someone the story of his name will be mentioned. He has a big year ahead of him and well, many more as well. Hopefully our portraits will help in the efforts of the TRC.

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon Z7, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 500, shutter speed of 1/500th of a second, Sirui P326 monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #TetonRaptorCenter, #SiruiUSA, #NatureInFocusPhotographyWorkshops, #BearWoodsPhotography, #BirdPhotography

Hunter, the Peregrine Falcon at the Teton Raptor Center

Hunter, the Peregrine Falcon at Teton Raptor Center.

 

Peregrine Falcons are almost as fascinating to me as Eagles. They aren’t as majestic, but just as fascinating in my opinion. Hunter is one of the resident education birds and can not be released into the wild. He was born with a visual defect that would prevent him from successfully hunting in the wild. He is always a favorite with our groups, and I love watching the group as they learn more about Peregrines. I can’t express my thanks enough to the folks at the Teton Raptor Center for all they do for the birds in the greater Yellowstone area as well as our groups and all that visit.

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon Z7, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 360, shutter speed of 1/500th of a second, Sirui P326 monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #TetonRaptorCenter, #NatureInFocusPhotographyWorkshops, #BearWoodsPhotography