It’s been a great week for birds around the neighbourhood, especially yesterday, when I managed to capture photos of 5 different species in one morning walk (plus 3 different bunnies).
Wishing everyone a wonderful week 🙂
I actually saw a pair of flickers yesterday, and while they conveniently perched together in a tree, I didn’t manage to get any shots of the two together worth sharing, as they were so high up, and I didn’t have to big lens. This one was working hard tapping at this dead tree; I heard it long before I saw it.A hairy woodpecker pauses from pecking between the tree branches early yesterday morning.A sure sign of spring are the robins singing from the treetops every morning. I caught this one searching for worms on the roadside.Earlier this week, I saw frantic activity below a large pine tree; I snapped loads of photos just so I could try to identify the birds. This was the best that I managed, but I include it here as it was a new species for me, a white winged crossbill.The juncos are back in town, but generally don’t visit the feeder; they are part of the clean up crew that keeps that area beneath the feeder tidy (thanks guys!).The pileated woodpecker was tapping away at the top of this pole, making quite the racket.One of the 3 bunnies I saw yesterday; this one was right next to my driveway at the end of our walk. Luckily, Spencer only barks at them about 1 in 10 times that he sees them. Mostly he just patiently waits for me to finish taking a photograph.I’ve been hearing the ruffed grouse drumming for some time now, but this was the first time I’ve seen one this year. This beauty hung around under the bird feeder, cleaning up fallen sunflower seeds.I was happy I was able to quietly sneak outside and get a few photos (I was hiding behind the garden hose reel so I didn’t disturb the grouse browsing).Sunflower seed success.
This week has flown by, as most of them seem to do lately. Rather than ramble on and on, I’ll get straight to the pictures.
I hope you enjoy, and wishing everyone a wonderful week 🙂
A pileated woodpecker that I spotted at the top of my road Tuesday morning. 1/640sec, f4.0, ISO125 (Taken with my new Panasonic camera. I’m pretty impressed with it, and it certainly is nice and light to take on walks)I glanced out the window while in my office, and noticed the pileated woodpecker in the forest behind my house. This one was shot through the window with my Nikon / Tamron combo. 1/500sec, f6.3, ISO640 @ 600mmI ventured outside to get a few shots, keeping a safe distance so I wouldn’t startle the woodpecker. 1/640sec, f6.3, ISO 2200Not a classic bird photo, but I love the contrast of the blurry branches and the nicely lit eye. 1/640sec, f6.3, ISO 2500 @600mmI ventured out to West Lake yesterday, because as you can see, it was just too nice to be indoors. There was quite a brisk breeze, and the place was deserted save for one other car. Spencer had a great time sniffing along the edge of the frozen lake. 1/640sec, f8, ISO 125An eagle’s nest high in the treetops. I imagine once the tree is in full leaf, many people sitting at the benches below wouldn’t even realize that it is there.I noticed movement in the nest, but was having a hard time seeing what it was. On full zoom, I finally caught sight of an eagle 🙂 1/640sec, f4.0, ISO 160An explosion of movement that I wasn’t prepared for at all. I had no idea there were two eagles in the nest until they decided quite suddenly to vacate it and head for another nearby tree. Given the proximity to my house, I wonder if this is the pair I saw a few weeks ago at the deer kill site?Eagles always look quite fierce to me, so it’s hard to tell if this is a dirty look, or just a normal one. 1/1250sec, f4.0, ISO200A bit of preening in the sun. 1/1250sec, f4.0, ISO 160One final shot before it was time to head home. 1/1250sec, f3.8, ISO 125
Cold temperatures and sunny skies this week have made for a some beautiful walks. I was delighted Tuesday to see a pileated woodpecker for the first time in a few years; I was even happier when it decided to fly from the thicker trees to an electrical post, and perch in the sunlight long enough for me to take a few photos.
I hope you enjoy my selections from this week – have a great evening!
There was a light breeze this morning blowing snow and frost off the roofs and tree branches, and when you looked into the sun, the sky was glittering. I captured a little of it, but trying to freeze that in time really didn’t do the moment justice. 1/800sec, f5.6, ISO 900Simply a beautiful day 🙂I took a quick trip to Vancouver this weekend; this was a snap out the window with my cellphone.Coming into land in Vancouver.The rising sun illuminating the wingtips of a passing crow.I absolutely love the light on the underside of the crow’s wing. 1/500sec, f6.3, ISO 500Climbing up the post.A beautiful pileated woodpecker on such a convenient perch.Climbing to the top of the post.A bit cluttered with all the components and wires, but it does give a better ideal of this woodpecker’s size (around the size of a crow).I didn’t zoom out in time, and cut off the wings, but I included this anyways because I think the sunlight coming through the wingtips is just too beautiful not to share.
