Another of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

Another of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTNBjgmcAKQ

 

This was another from my short session with the Hummers in the front yard. Don’t forget to watch the video for a few tips. If you haven’t subscribed to my YouTube Channel yet, please do!

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 2500, shutter speed of 1/500th of a second, Sirui P424s monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #BearWoodsWildlifeSanctuary, #BirdNirdvana, #BirdPhotography, #BearWoodsPhotography

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Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Cardinal Flower (plus video)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Cardinal Flower (plus video).

 

Yesterday I finally was able to do something I have hoped and planned to do for about a year, photograph the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and the Cardinal Flowers. Wind back the tape for a minute…I was given several bunches of the flowers by a good friend and we planted them last year, but rabbits and deer did a number on the young plants so we didn’t get the tall stalks like I had hoped. This year there are plenty and they are blooming beautifully. With the bright overcast sky, the conditions were perfect to set up a chair on the porch and do some images with my trusty Tamron lens and Nikon D-500. I placed my chair in a position where the plants would have about 40 feet between them and the background so I could get an isolated subject. I decided since the conditions were so good I would do a little video as well, the link is below. The hummingbirds are busy fueling up for the long migration they will have in a couple months, so they are super busy and don’t mind my presence.

 

Here is the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTNBjgmcAKQ

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 2000, shutter speed of 1/500th of a second, Sirui P424S monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #BirdPhotography, #BirdNirdvana, #BearWoodsWildlifeSanctuary, #BearWoodsPhotography

Flying off the handle

Flying off the handle.

 

There are some mornings you are tired, you have a cute photo of a cute bird, but search for a title to a post. Today is that day. This Juvenile Eastern Bluebird landed on the handle of our gardening fork, which is like a pitch fork but for digging in the garden. It posed for me for a few images, then flew off. Since it was on a handle, I feel it is accurate to say it flew off the handle. It wasn’t upset, it didn’t scream or holler, it just flew off the handle…sometimes you are tired and simply state the obvious.

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon D-500, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 2000, shutter speed of 1/60th of a second, Sirui P424S monopod and L10 head, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #BirdPhotography, #BirdNirdvana, #BearWoodsWildlifeSanctuary, #BearWoodsPhotography

Peregrine Falcon with jesses

Peregrine Falcon with jesses.

 

It is up to the individual photographer of course, but when I photograph birds of prey that are captive I leave the jesses in the image. First of all, it is a lot of work to clone them out in Photoshop. Secondly, I don’t want anyone to think, even for a moment, that I used my catlike Ninja skills to sneak up on an unsuspecting Peregrine Falcon and was able to grab a few snaps before it took off. Even if it is obvious that I am fully capable of sneaking up on the fastest animal on Earth. There is nothing wrong with being honest when sharing the image and showing the bird’s hardware. It doesn’t make the bird less beautiful, it is still a Peregrine Falcon. If you want them out of the frame, simply crop for effect, but always be honest when sharing. Save your catlike Ninja skills for another day…

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon Z6 camera via the FTZ adapter, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 640, shutter speed of 1/250th of a second, Sirui P326 monopod, Shimoda Explore 40L backpack, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #BirdsofPrey, #BirdPhotography, #BirdNirdvana, #ShimodaDesign, #BearWoodsPhotography

Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl, Captive animal.

 

I’m still going through all the images from two weeks ago at the Outdoor Discovery Center in Holland, MI during the SWMCCC Weekend of Photography 2019. This GHO (Great Horned Owl) was super popular with the group, possibly because of the popularity of the bird, and possibly because it was a beautiful bird that posed great for the group. It was the last bird of the evening that we photographed and the light was amazing on the bird. With the heat outside, I hope to spend a little time getting caught up with all the processing I need to do. I am putting the finishing touches on my presentation, “Painting a Photograph” for Thursday with the Georgia Nature Photographers Association in Smyrna, and my presentation on “Landscape Photography” for the Big Canoe Photographers on Saturday.

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon Z6 camera, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 1100, shutter speed of 1/250th of a second, Sirui P326 monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #SWMCCC, #BirdsofPrey, #BirdNirdvana, #BirdPhotography, #BearWoodsPhotography

Screech Owl

Screech Owl, Captive.

 

It seems like forever ago that I photographed the Birds of Prey in Holland, MI, but it was only 2 weeks ago! I still haven’t gone through and processed all the images from that shoot or from a week ago in Geneva, NY. At some point I guess I need to finish processing! This was a very cute Screech Owl at the Outdoor Discovery Center near Holland, MI. I’m not sure what got its attention, but the light was beautiful and perfect to light the bird. Please consider supporting rescue, rehab and educational centers in your area. They do such great work for animals on very limited budgets.

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon Z6 camera via the FTZ adapter, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 200, shutter speed of 1/250th of a second, Sirui P326 monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #SWMCCC, #BirdPhotography, #BirdsofPrey, #BearWoodsPhotography

Peregrine Falcon Portrait

Peregrine Falcon Portrait (captive animal).

 

I can’t say enough how beautiful the birds were at the Discovery Outdoor Center in Holland, MI, and how great the staff were working with everyone for images. Here was the Peregrine Falcon they had for us to see and photograph. The more I see them, the more I am fascinated with them! Incredible birds!

 

Tamron SP 150-600mm Di VC USD G2 lens on a Nikon Z6, Manual Exposure mode, f8, ISO 640, shutter speed of 1/250th of a second, Sirui P326 monopod, processed in Lightroom Classic CC. #WithMyTamron, #Tamron, #TamronUSA, #TamronLensesUSA, #TamronImageMaster, #Tamron150600g2, #SiruiUSA, #BirdNirdvana, #BirdPhotography, #BirdsofPrey, #BearWoodsPhotography, #SWMCCC