Birds – Page 27 – Jennifer Sawicky Photography

Heron Silhouette

I'd never before seen a heron perched on the top of the water depth marker near the dike pumping station, and I quickly got my camera out to snap a few photos. I really wasn't pleased with the results though; the photos were far too soft for my liking. I did a quick conversion in Silver Efex Pro to see if there was any way to create an interesting image, and I'm actually quite pleased with the results. 1/500 sec, f6.3, ISO 100 — I’d never before seen a heron perched on the top of the water depth marker near the dike pumping station, and I quickly got my camera out to snap a few photos. I really wasn’t pleased with the results though; the photos were far too soft for my liking. I did a quick conversion in Silver Efex Pro to see if there was any way to create an interesting image, and I’m actually quite pleased with the results.
1/500 sec, f6.3, ISO 100

Northern rough-winged swallow

A northern rough-winged swallow comes into land on a power line, under the watchful gaze of a friend. 1/250 sec, f6.3, ISO100 — A northern rough-winged swallow comes into land on a power line, under the watchful gaze of a friend.
1/250 sec, f6.3, ISO100

Hooded Vulture

A hooded vulture getting ready to lift off. 1/800sec, f5.6, ISO200 — A hooded vulture getting ready to lift off.
1/800sec, f5.6, ISO200

Great Blue Heron

Searching for some breakfast. 1/1600sec, f6.3, ISO 400 — Searching for some breakfast.
1/1600sec, f6.3, ISO 400

Great Blue Heron

One of many herons I spotted on my walk last Sunday morning. 1/1250 sec, f5.6, ISO 400 — One of many herons I spotted on my walk last Sunday morning.
1/1250 sec, f5.6, ISO 400

Group of herons

I've only seen a group of herons together one other time, and that was when they were perched in trees (I wish I would have been able to get decent photos of that event, but it was in thick fog). I was surprised to see this group together, and unfortunately it was right at the end of the dike, so I didn't have an opportunity to try the shot from a better angle. 1/1600 sec, f6.3, ISO400 — I’ve only seen a group of herons together one other time, and that was when they were perched in trees (I wish I would have been able to get decent photos of that event, but it was in thick fog). I was surprised to see this group together, and unfortunately it was right at the end of the dike, so I didn’t have an opportunity to try the shot from a better angle.
1/1600 sec, f6.3, ISO400

Great Blue Heron

Last Sunday morning started on a sad note. While driving to the dikes, I slowed when I saw something laying in the middle of the road, and unfortunately it was one of these beautiful herons that had been struck by a car. I was planning on removing it from the road after our walk, but thankfully someone else had done so by the time we returned...unless a coyote got to it first. After the sad start, I had some of the best heron sightings I've had in a while; so many individuals were out that morning. It was quite hazy with the heat, but thankfully I came away after a lovely walk with a few good photos :) 1/1250 sec, f6.3, ISO 400 — Last Sunday morning started on a sad note. While driving to the dikes, I slowed when I saw something laying in the middle of the road, and unfortunately it was one of these beautiful herons that had been struck by a car. I was planning on removing it from the road after our walk, but thankfully someone else had done so by the time we returned…unless a coyote got to it first.
After the sad start, I had some of the best heron sightings I’ve had in a while; so many individuals were out that morning. It was quite hazy with the heat, but thankfully I came away after a lovely walk with a few good photos 🙂
1/1250 sec, f6.3, ISO 400

House Sparrow

A house sparrow full of song on a beautiful sunny morning. 1/400sec, f5.6, ISO 400 — A house sparrow full of song on a beautiful sunny morning.
1/400sec, f5.6, ISO 400

Gaggle of geese

The one at the very end didn't seem to get the memo that bodies are all to be turned to the right! 1/320sec, f5.6, ISO400 — The one at the very end didn’t seem to get the memo that bodies are all to be turned to the right!
1/320sec, f5.6, ISO400

Osprey returning to her nest

Even with my 300mm lens, I had to crop out an awful lot of the photo to get in this tight, as the pillars where the osprey nest are quite a distance out from the dikes. Even though it isn't as crisp as I would like; I am getting used to a new camera with a different focus system, and the morning haze makes the photo look a bit noisy - I don't care. I am grateful to have captured this moment of the mama osprey returning to her nest with building materials while her little one looks on. Plus, there are three starlings hanging out at the base of the nest, probably looking to sneak off with any leftover tidbits! — Even with my 300mm lens, I had to crop out an awful lot of the photo to get in this tight, as the pillars where the osprey nest are quite a distance out from the dikes. Even though it isn’t as crisp as I would like; I am getting used to a new camera with a different focus system, and the morning haze makes the photo look a bit noisy – I don’t care. I am grateful to have captured this moment of the mama osprey returning to her nest with building materials while her little one looks on. Plus, there are three starlings hanging out at the base of the nest, probably looking to sneak off with any leftover tidbits!

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