Rod Sorensen

Roadrunner, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin, TX

Yes, indeed. I might have seemed ignorant, but I did know this was a European Robin. It is just interesting how different it looks (prettier than the American Robin in my opinion), and the fact that the two robins aren't even of the same genus.

Not anything like my Wisconsin, USA robins. :-)

Thanks, Tom.

Tom, What was your set up for this image? Lens, camera settings specifically.

Awesome barn owl portrait, Bill. In what setting did you see this owl?

I don't know about the HX80, but it appears to be a point and shoot type camera and therefore is not likely to have manual settings for focus. Anything that is AF only is likely to struggle with getting a clear focus on something behind an object that would grab the autofocus.

Some great GBH images here. My post has to do with their behaviors, specifically their skittishness. When I go to Florida, I can get a GBH picture just about anytime I want. But where I live in rural central Wisconsin, I see them all the time but have a heck of a time getting a photo. It takes incredible patience and luck to get close enough to one to get a decent image even with my D500 & 600mm lens. Getting a good flight picture would be a near miracle.

Basic Guidelines: In the strictest sense, nature photography should not include "hand of man elements". Please refrain from images with buildings or human made structures like roads, fences, walls. Pets are not permitted. Captive subjects in zoos, arboretums, or aquariums are permitted, but must be declared, and must focus on the subject, not the captivity. Images with obvious human made elements will likely be deleted from the thread, with an explanation to the photographer. Guidelines are based on PSA rules governing Nature photography which also cover the Nature Forum. Keep your image at/under 1000 pixels on the long axis for in-line viewing. Note that this includes photos hosted off-site at Flicker, Photobucket, your own site, etc Are you new to this thread? We post one image per week. Another common bird. American Robin.

Basic Guidelines: In the strictest sense, nature photography should not include "hand of man elements". Please refrain from images with buildings or human made structures like roads, fences, walls. Pets are not permitted. Captive subjects in zoos, arboretums, or aquariums are permitted, but must be declared, and must focus on the subject, not the captivity. Images with obvious human made elements will likely be deleted from the thread, with an explanation to the photographer. Guidelines are based on PSA rules governing Nature photography which also cover the Nature Forum. Keep your image at/under 1000 pixels on the long axis for in-line viewing. Note that this includes photos hosted off-site at Flicker, Photobucket, your own site, etc Are you new to this thread? We post one image per week. Dark-eyed Junco

Very cool!

Pair of Sandhill Cranes at our local industrial park on Saturday. The largest crane (? male) kept exhibiting some behaviors I initially thought might be mating behavior - arched his neck back, opened his beak wide open and jumped a foot or two off the ground, often with a little squawk not at all similar to typical sandhill vocalizations. But then I noticed he would just do it when I was trying to creep closer, so I think it was an indication of him not liking my closer presence. Never tried to fly off. I didn't get a decent image of that behavior as I was using my "car camera" which doesn't do well with moving birds. Nevertheless, interesting.

It's that time of year when these birds are out in force, and this picture is a great representation of their personality. I'm an avid bicyclist and I get buzzed by these kamikazes many times a year, and usually they actually make contact with the back of my helmet at least a couple times. Have to give them credit for excellent nest protection, but it is very unnerving when they actually touch you. :-)

Actually, I also just went to one of my favorite birding websites, ebird.org. It looks to also be worldwide and I think that is actually sponsored by CLO.

Good info in that post. I was basing my thoughts on the bill color, which is yellow in an adult baldie. But not in an immature baldie, which is probably what you have here.

Trying to figure out what you are saying/asking, Tony. I believe Shun's response was simply a link regarding the Hooded Merganser at the Cornell Lab or Ornithology All About Birds website. Cornell is located in New York, USA and I believe the Cornell Lab and the All About Birds website that it hosts is focused on North American birds. There may be, but I'd be surprised if there is an authoritative website that covers birds worldwide.

Golden eagle?

My "fairly common" description might be a little generous. I spend a fair amount of time at our various nearby marshes and I have seen them on several occasions over the years. But I guess that really isn't "common." Definitely great when you see them, because they are beautiful and unusual creatures.

Not sure where you are located, Sandy. They are fairly common in the eastern 2/3 of the country, like where I live in Wisconsin. In the west they are much less common and usually migratory.

Mary, Thanks for this info. My thoughts had been to try to get 2 or 3 other photographers and rent a snow coach for a week and share the cost. Thought that would give the ultimate flexibility. In reality, though, that is easier said than done with lots of variables. Probably makes sense to spend a little more and let someone else manage the logistics. Rod

Mary, I very nearly did a Yellowstone winter trip a couple years ago, but had to cancel last minute. If you would have any inkling to share info on how you did yours, as well as any advice on transportation into the park, prime photo locations, lodging, etc I would really like to hear it. I am wanting to get out there in the winter as soon as possible. Thanks. Rod

I can see from your other post here that you will be interested in photographing birds as well as other wildlife. I am a Nikon shooter, so will answer your question from that perspective and then you can translate that to your chosen platform. Several years ago, when really deciding this exact question, I decided to purchase a nearly new Nikon 200-400/f4 and 600/f4 (not the E version) at a very good price. But still clearly a huge financial investment. Overall, I have been very happy with the results. I shoot the 600 from a tripod with a Gimbal. I handhold the 200-400 (with or without 1.4 TC). Although I can do reasonably well handholding the 200-400, it is a very heavy lens/body/battery pack combo and after an 8-10 second pan of a bird in flight I am ready to put it down. After several such pans, the arms and shoulders are clearly fatigued. I am approaching 68 years, but am in excellent overall condition, so I'm guessing that this combo being handheld would be somewhat of an issue for a lot of people. I am definitely considering getting the 200-500/5.6 because of this, but worry that my 200-400 will just sit unused. Nevertheless, if I was outfitting myself now, it would probably be with the 200-500 and not the 200-400. I don't know if Canon has a lens of that sort, but I'd probably recommend that if they do.

Our Wisconsin DNR was looking for pictures of a bird with "ice spectacles" to post during our recent -30 (-55 WC) weather. Article link attached with picture of a cardinal. The Outdoor Report (January 31, 2019)

For what it’s worth, I’d probably prefer no captive animals. But frankly, sometimes you wouldn’t be able to tell. So I think what we are doing is fine and I appreciate when people actually disclose that it is a captive animal instead of holding out for greater, but undeserved accolades.