Osprey

I was spoiled for choice with all the birds to photograph in one day: yellowthroats, robins, heron, ducks, and these beautiful osprey.

I don't have quite a long enough lens for a good shot of a nesting osprey, but I've posted this as reference to show how huge they build their nests.  Early in the spring, I captured some shots of an osprey carrying huge branches - this is why! 1/250 sec, f5.6, ISO 100
I don’t have quite a long enough lens for a good shot of a nesting osprey, but I’ve posted this as reference to show how huge they build their nests. Early in the spring, I captured some shots of an osprey carrying huge branches – this is why!
1/250 sec, f5.6, ISO 100
1/4000 sec, f5.6, ISO 400
1/4000 sec, f5.6, ISO 400

Osprey in flight

Starling in Silhouette

A starling singing in the early morning.  I was shooting into the sun and the sky was very clear and bright with lots of glare on the leaves; a bit of tinting to the black and white conversion completely changed feel of the photo. 1/4000 sec, f 5.6, ISO 400
A starling singing in the early morning. I was shooting into the sun and the sky was very clear and bright with lots of glare on the leaves; a bit of tinting to the black and white conversion completely changes feel of the photo.
1/4000 sec, f 5.6, ISO 400

Great blue heron (and a duck)

The still morning provided a lovely reflection of the great blue heron on the water.  I was lucky enough to catch a duck taking off at the same time. 1/200 sec, f5.6, ISO 100
The still morning provided a lovely reflection of the great blue heron on the water. I was lucky enough to catch a duck taking off at the same time.
1/200 sec, f5.6, ISO 100

Common Yellowthroat

These are a few more photos from my wonderful walk last Sunday morning.  It took me some time to identify the type of bird when I got home; going back and forth from the computer screen to my bird book and bird websites to figure it out.

A common yellowthroat (bottom right)  in the long grasses that line the river.  I am not certain what type of bird is top left. 1/250 sec, f5.6, ISO 100
A common yellowthroat (bottom right) in the long grasses that line the river. I am not certain what type of bird is top left.
1/250 sec, f5.6, ISO 100
I included this not because it is a great picture (clearly, it isn't).  When reviewing it though, it reminded me a bit of those old Where's Waldo books.  There is a yellowthroat in this picture... somewhere :)
I included this not because it is a great picture (clearly, it isn’t). When reviewing it though, it reminded me a bit of those old Where’s Waldo books. There is a yellowthroat in this picture… somewhere 🙂
I knew it wasn't a goldfinch I was seeing when flashes of brilliant yellow appeared in the trees and grasses while I was out walking (although I have seen goldfinches along other stretches of the dike before).  It took a bit of searching through my bird book in order to figure out what to call this beauty. 1/400 sec, f6.3, ISO 400
I knew it wasn’t a goldfinch I was seeing when flashes of brilliant yellow appeared in the trees and grasses while I was out walking (although I have seen goldfinches along other stretches of the dike before). It took a bit of searching in order to figure out what to call this beauty.
1/400 sec, f6.3, ISO 400

Robins

A pair of American Robins searching for some breakfast.  Hearing them sing while I am taking my morning walk always makes me smile. 1/2000sec, f5.6, ISO400
A pair of American Robins searching for some breakfast. Hearing them sing while I am taking my morning walk always makes me smile.
1/2000 sec, f5.6, ISO400

African Pied Wagtail

This African Pied Wagtail most have gotten tired of flying, as it caught a ride on our boat during our river cruise along the Chobe. 1/1000sec, f4.8, ISO640
This African Pied Wagtail most have gotten tired of flying, as it caught a ride on our boat during our river cruise along the Chobe.
1/1000sec, f4.8, ISO640

Bee-Eaters

Beautiful Bee-eaters seen on a river cruise along the Chobe River. 1/200sec, f8.0, ISO360
Beautiful Bee-eaters seen on a river cruise along the Chobe River.
1/200sec, f8.0, ISO360

Wire-tailed Swallow

Along tag along on our river cruise!  This wire tailed swallow had built a nest somewhere on the boat itself. 1/1000sec, f4.8, ISO800
Along tag along on our river cruise! This wire tailed swallow had built a nest somewhere on the boat itself.
1/1000sec, f4.8, ISO800

African Pied Kingfisher

Decent photos of kingfishers elude me to this day!  This is as good as it gets, so far. An African Pied Kingfisher along the Chobe River. 1/400sec, f5.3, ISO100
Decent photos of kingfishers elude me to this day! This is as good as it gets, so far.
An African Pied Kingfisher along the Chobe River.
1/400sec, f5.3, ISO100
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