Hark 2020

[hark]

Here's my little friend Wilson - it's been a while since I was able to photograph him. The aging bird feeder will be replaced one of these days. At least Wilson isn't complaining about it.

This was the first time I've photographed a turkey vulture perched on a branch. Usually I only see them flying overhead.

 

[hark]

I was finally able to photograph Wilson on the squirrel feeder. It's close to our backdoor so I went out the front and walked around. Even though he knew I was there, he proceeded to eat. While he really likes peanuts, it's the sunflower seeds he loves. It must not have taken him long to figure out how to lift the lid. The food has been eaten everyday.

If this had been any other squirrel, it would have run off. And in case you are wondering about the long screw, it's to be able to fasten on a corn cob. The screw has a plastic tip protector on the end so he won't get hurt.

 

[hark]

This morning I was about to add some peanuts to the squirrel feeder when I looked out the window. Not sure if this squirrel is Wilson, but it stayed like that while eating. Instead of sitting on the platform and dropping the shells outside the feeder, it is leaving the shells inside.

Below is the same image before doing any Photoshop editing. There is a CP filter on my lens, but I didn't even consider a reflection from the next window (actually the window shade) would be visible. When I took the photo, I placed part of the hood against the door's glass. The lens was at an angle to the glass though. Somehow it picked up a reflection of the slatted window shade in the next window. I didn't remove every sign of the reflections. It took enough time to do just what was done. Next time I will definitely keep watch and see if rotating my CP filter makes a difference.

 

[hark]

I don't know how many of you have seen the photos circulating on Facebook of the squirrel sitting at a picnic table, but someone made this for Wilson. I just set it up this afternoon and already it is in use.

https://www.thedodo.com/in-the-wild/guy-builds-tiny-picnic-table-for-squirrels

 

[hark]

I haven't kept up with posting my images here. During this past month I've taken photos that I haven't yet posted, but I will simply add a couple from today - Male Red-Winged Blackbird.

 

[hark]

These first two images were taken back on April 14th.

This one was taken yesterday. I'm surprised the hearts have held up well despite temps dropping down into the 30's during a couple nights.

 

[hark]

The first squirrel photo is cross-posted in the squirrel thread (and is cropped a little from the original file). I interrupted it eating out of the squirrel feeder. I swear it's giving me the finger in the first pic.

At least my TC seems to be working fine for now. For a while there, my images were so soft that I had to use PCC's Shake Reduction to sharpen them. These were both without Shake Reduction. However, I maxed out my ISO at 5000 (which is where the ISO is capped). Still...Nik Collection's Dfine works well although I'm sure something from Topaz would have yielded better results. I also wound up adding an adjustment brush in Camera RAW to further reduce noise in the sky.

 

[hark]

While I am not a fan of geese, these goslings were really cute.

 

[hark]

Today I shot several photos of geese along with goslings. Thanks to @Marcel for providing the inspiration. Lately geese are the only larger sized birds I've been able to find. But since I am not a geese fan, I've passed up several opportunities to photograph them. This is just one from this afternoon.

 

[hark]

Here are a few more geese photos from today.

 

[hark]

The other two types of birds that frequent the park the most are robins and red-winged blackbirds.

Robin

Female Red-Winged Blackbird

This Eastern Kingbird was in a different town along a cove.

 

[hark]

Still not seeing much unusual wildlife around the area. These are from our back yard. Note: the pole is crooked. One of these days I'll remove both the pole and feeder and replace with a new combo. The birds don't seem to mind. In fact, some of the larger birds such as pigeons seem to enjoy this.

 

[hark]

A couple of spring Magnolia blossoms after the rain. Taken back in March.

 

[hark]

A few from this afternoon. The fisherman was a picturesque find.

On my way back to the main road, I saw the 8th Great Wonder of the World - looks like a Pyramid. Actually it is part of a landfill.

In the area below, they used to allow fishing. I never noticed trash or any fishing debris so was surprised to see this sign (I edited the language).

 

[Dawg Pics]

Awesome sign by the property owner.

 

[hark]

Awesome sign by the property owner.

I always thought those properties were owned by the township - but you might be right. I had no idea why someone's name would be on there. Thought perhaps it might be someone from the township, but I really don't know. Although I don't have the cove pictured, a sign was posted there, too. And out in the water is a private dock for boats. There is also a boat sales store - which I think owns that marina with the dock. So perhaps whoever owns that might also own the canal pictured. Hmm...maybe I will look into it because now I'm curious.

 

[hark]

I've found this camera/lens combo struggles with sharpness when the subject is in low light. If I didn't have the TC, it wouldn't be a problem. It was extremely shaded where the deer stood - much darker than the image appears.

 

[hark]

This isn't a good photo, but I'm posting it because it was a complete surprise.

I framed up the image, and a split second before I pressed the shutter, the sparrow that was sitting there flew off. During that split second, my thumb continued to press the back button which allowed the camera to refocus on what I'm assuming is a finch. The thing is I couldn't even see the finch since the sparrow completely blocked it. I was left looking at the image going what just happened here?

I'm kind of surprised with the ISO. This was taken mid-morning with a little drizzle while I stood under an awning. Considering the bird feeder is out in the open, I didn't expect to hit ISO 5000 with f/8 and 1/800".

 

[hark]

Big difference in the amount of light between yesterday and today. The first image was from yesterday. Looking though photos with these 2 sparrows, the one on the left must have lost an eye. It's that way in all the photos.

This female Red-Winged Blackbird was from today. When I put out bird seed, she let me get to within 2.5 to 3 feet away without flying off.

 

[hark]

Today was forecast for thunderstorms which now look like they won't come in until this afternoon. Despite the sun being out, I still hit my cap of ISO 5000 under this shaded section of our tree. I haven't seen Wilson for a long time. He was the little squirrel that was so photogenic.

There is a chain link fence around this section of our yard. I wish I could have moved back to better fit the squirrel into the frame, but I was shooting over the top of a 5-foot gate. Wouldn't have been able to do that - as it was, I had to rest my hand on the top of the gate to shoot over it.