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

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!

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
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