A snowy alternative to Florida birds

[pathfinder]

I have sat here admiring Harry's egret and herons, while watching the snow fall all day long, the sky grey and dreary. I filled the bird feeder yesterday, and decided to see if I could capture some local birds who are sticking it out in Indiana through the winter rather than lolly gagging in the Florida sunshine. This is a few frames I caught this afternoon for you Harry :D :D
Some variety of sparrow I believe...
http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/14616424-L.jpg

A female cardinal
http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/14616465-L.jpg

Her other half, and yes that white stuff is snow falling :D
http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/14616408-L.jpg

Male and female cardinals
http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/14616413-L.jpg

[Ann McRae]

Hi pathfinder

Those are really lovely shots - I particularly like the second and fourth shots. The simple composition of the second shot is fab, and the lovely use of dof on the fourth. (I am trying to make a point of saying 'why' I like something!).

I believe that your first bird is a finch, what I know as a starling is much larger and dark blue/black - and really noisy!

enjoy the snow!

ann

[pathfinder]

Hi pathfinder

Those are really lovely shots - I particularly like the second and fourth shots. The simple composition of the second shot is fab, and the lovely use of dof on the fourth. (I am trying to make a point of saying 'why' I like something!).

I believe that your first bird is a finch, what I know as a starling is much larger and dark blue/black - and really noisy!

enjoy the snow!

ann


Thank you so much for your comments - I agree that the 2nd and 4th image are my preferred images also.

I liked the first one because it showed how puffed up the little bird was trying to keep warm. I am not a birder at all, so my identification of a bird is usually based on a picture in "The National Audobon Society Field Guide to N American birds" and I thought it resembled a European Starling as shown in picture #606. When I go back and look at it again I suspect it is more likely to be some vairiety of sparrow. I will edit my first post appropriately.

[pathfinder]

My second frame was the only one of a dozen I shot that was useable - the wind was blowing and invariably I would end up with the eye behind the limb or some thing like that. This was the only shot with the head nicely visible. Perseverence counts I guess. :1drink

[Harryb]

Very nice pics, I really liked the last one. Pity that you're stuck with that white background. What's that stuff called again? :rofl

Harry

[fish]

Nice shots, pathy. I'm really starting to like the female cardinal. Very subtle, yet beautiful coloration.

Good thing you didn't use that POS DO lens. :lol3

[pathfinder]

Nice shots, pathy. I'm really starting to like the female cardinal. Very subtle, yet beautiful coloration.

Good thing you didn't use that POS DO lens. :lol3

Sorry Fish - I did use a DO lens for all of these shots.....
:rofl :rofl :rofl

[Dee]

Male and female cardinals
http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/14616413-L.jpg

How nice to see the female cardinal featured like this, and I love the male in the background.

I miss cardinals and blue jays... we get an occasional western jay but I don't think they visit the coast that often. I usually see them inland.

[lynnma]

Pathfinder they are lovely.. I love the last one of the female and male in the back.. really touching :clap :clap :1drink

[pathfinder]

SO ... the sun finally came out today - what a difference for shooting birds.
http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/14688208-L.jpg

http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/14677121-L.jpg


http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/14677120-L.jpg


http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/14681190-L.jpg

http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/14677123-L.jpg

http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/14688207-L.jpg

[GREAPER]

For not bein a birder, these are some really fine shots Pathfinder. I really like the simplicity of the second one. Very nice.

[pathfinder]

For not bein a birder, these are some really fine shots Pathfinder. I really like the simplicity of the second one. Very nice.


Thanks Greaper. Like I said, a lttle dose of sunshine was really helpful. That little sparrow was just sitting there in the rhododendron all puffed out and warming himself/herself(??) in the sun. The lighting was perfect - all I did was go click. Glad you liked the pictures.

I am trying to emulate you and the lovely images of perching birds you have been posting.

I have enjoyed the difference in my images between Saturday and Sunday too - all shot in the same place - the only difference was the weather :1drink