A few more shots of my bluebirds

You say you need a ladder to clean your nest boxes? I don't know how high your boxes are but ideally they should be about 5 feet off the ground and far enough away from any fence or structure that a cat cannot jump, and mounted on a pole with a baffle so that coons and snakes cannot climb.

While several different species of sparrow may resemble house sparrows, very few, if any of these birds are cavity nesters. As a general rule if it looks like a house sparrow and shows interest in the box, it is probably a house sparrow. You can also tell by watching the bluebirds' reaction. When a house sparrow is arround, the bluebirds will become noticeably upset .

Speaking of high ISO values. Today is a typical December morning. It is cold and very dark and dreary. Using the 1D Mark IV and the Canon 500mm f/4 lens with the ISO set at 1000, the fastest shutter speed I could get was 1/200 sec, and that was with an aperture nearly wide open (f/4.5).

Canon claims the Mark IV can produce images with very little noise, even at high ISOs, so as a test I spun the ISO dial up to 12800, which gave me a shutter of 1/2500 sec, which is more to my liking since I am always trying to stop the birds in flight. Here is the result. Cropped 100 percent and sharpened just a tad. I know the picture is dull and the bird is not in sharp focus, except for its feet. The perch was my point of focus.

While I would not normally keep or show a picture of this quality, it is interesting to see what the camera will deliver in low light situations where flash is not possible. At least you can get something.

This message was edited Dec 10, 2010 9:43 AM

This message was edited Dec 10, 2010 9:44 AM

That is really quite impressive, Dave.

Yes, Charlie, I was actually surprised at the low noise level.

I have a nice camera and a nice lens, but I sure wish I had the technical understanding that you do! I am lost when it comes to all of that!

Gen, Here is a page explaining different terms concerning cameras. We all have to figure these out so don't feel bad.

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/photography-beginners-forum-photo-gallery/167288-camera-terms-acronyms-dummies.html

Sorry for going off subject Dave.

The camera did a great job.

Oh Dave, that IS amazing. it really does make a difference to be able to do that. at 1600 iso, my pentax didn't even look as good.

About time to tie a knot in this thread, but first, maybe I'll post just one or two more.

In case somebody may be interested, here are our cats, taken yesterday The've never been outside but each morning I open the door for them to look out through the storm door.

This message was edited Dec 12, 2010 12:52 AM

Dave, every photo on this thread is a treat. Thank you. Your cats are gorgeous!

They definitely are gorgeous!

Well, thank you. I'll tell them you said that.

Remember this picture I took of Buster checking out my camera when my bluebirds were fledging in August? I had two copies enlarged and had one matted and framed and it is hanging in our foyer. When we took the cats to the vet day before yesterday, I took the extra copy to show to the staff. It is a large place (an animal hospital, really) and has many beautiful photos hanging in the waiting room and in each of the six examination rooms. All are pictures of the owner's dogs. No cats.

Until now. The owner just raved over Buster's picture so I gave it to her. It will be framed and hung in a conspicuous place among all those dog pictures. We were so honored. Buster couldn't care less. He just wanted to get out of there.

That picture still cracks me up. So glad you gave it to the Vet! Buster is Famous!!!

I can't believe you got such a good photo with that high of an ISO. Sure shows you get what you pay for.

So glad you thought to take that picture of Buster to the vet. I'd be willing to bet that a cat magazine would love to have it too! Those kitties are just beautiful.

Great shot of the bb landing or taking off-such a cute expression!

LOL, I love that photo of Buster!! Congrats on getting a spot for the photo at the vets.

Great shot of Buster, and is beautiful cat. Glad that many people will now get to enjoy such a neat photo.

Donna

Thanks everyone. As you can see, the Bradford Pear still has a lot of fruit and the bluebirds could probably survive on it, if the starlings weren't around. But in a few weeks they will show up by the dozens and strip the tree in a day or two.

Another shot

Oops! Ignore that last one. This is the one I meant to post.

Last one. I know she is out of focus. It is very hard when they are flying toward you.

I am getting better at anticipating when they are about to jump. They don't give much warning.

They are so beautiful!

Dave, such gorgeous bluebirds. I especially like both #7423 and 7425. Showing their great blue color and their expressions.

Donna

Seldom do I see two so close together. Still I couldn't get both in focus.

I love that shot. Looks like he is telling her something that really has her at attention.

Thanks for the link. I have such a hard time keeping the terms straight - and i have been shooting pics for a long time. But I think it is a lack of time on my part to really study it......maybe in a year or two when the kids are off at college....

The cats are beautiful. Siamese?? I do have one question.................how on EARTH do you (or your wife) keep the house so clean with those cats? i have dogs and a cat in the house and I would NEVER consider white carpet!! or chair cushions!! :)

Genna

Dave, these last photos are so beautiful! That tree is perfect for the shots with these beautiful birds. Love that last one of the two bbs-priceless.

love the 2 bluebirds. Hello, complaint dept.?

Good caption, Iris. Genna, the cats are Himalayans. But you were close. The breed was developed from a cross between the Siamese and the Persian.

This message was edited Dec 14, 2010 9:00 PM

I knew they looked like they had a lot longer hair.... guess that is why...... but I don't know anything about pure bred cats at all. They sure are beautiful....................... are they friendly?? I know some siamese are pretty mean,.......

They have definite personalities but neither could be considered mean. Of course, they are only 18 months old and they might change when they get older.
The male is bigger by 2 pounds (10 pounds versus 8) and he can be a bit of a bully. The female is more timid but very attached to my wife who plays with both of them. She follows my wife from room to room and is usually waiting near the door if we are out. You have to be careful when you step back (from the kitchen sink, for example), because one or both will probably be lying there. If the door bell rings, both of them scoot. But the male will usually reappear in 5 minutes or so. The female may stay in hiding all day.

Yes, the white carpet is a worry, especially wihen they cough up their hair balls. But we only have the white carpet in the front rooms on the first floor (living room, library and dining room) and fortunately the cats are rarely there except when we are. I suppose if we had thought we were going to get the cats we would have selected darker colored carpets,

Such precious shots on this thread Dave...I love them all. That one with the two Blues in conversation is priceless!!

So do you plan on raising kittens from them? My daughter has a cat inside - it is probably 11 yrs old..... very tempermental, but usually just does her own thing as cats do I guess. Then we have french bulldogs (momma dog had pups and we ended up keeping two .....so now three in the house~!!) not exactly the way I would have planned it, but we love them all now so that is the way it is. LOL But, I almost always have either little tiny doghairs, or fuzzy pieces of cat fur scattered about. I vacuum regularly and dust, but it is a full time job. Need some of those kind that supposedly don't shed.... :) We don't have ANY carpet in our home though - all hardwood and ceramic tile so that helps me keep control over it. I wouldn't stand a chance with carpet ........

By the way, can you tell me the size of the screen on your bluebird feeder...... I am going to try to get my husband to make one similar to what you have if we can locate some screen the right size.

Thanks!

I believe the screen is 1 1/2 inches square. Any smaller and the blues could not squeeze in. If he decides to do it I can take some close ups of the feeder so he can copy the design.

Both the cats were "fixed" as soon as the vet said it was safe to do so and before she had her first heat. The last thing we would want would be a house full of cats. Two is plenty. Initially I had agreed to one and we went to get just the male and that left the breeder with only the female left, so in a moment of weakness we agreed to take both. We do not regret the decision. They are great buddies and we love them both.

Good stuff David. I noticed on the last pic, you really had the ISO cranked up. The pic looked great.

Hack

Yes, my bigger cameras can do pretty well in low light. As you know, I like to get the birds in flight so I usually start shooting at daylight with the ISO way up near max and the f stop near wide open so I can get the fastest shutter possible. I keep an eye on the shutter speed as the light increases and when it gets above 1/5000 sec I turn down the ISO to keep it around 1/2500 sec or so. When I have wound the ISO down to 1000 or so and the shutter is still above 1/5000, I start messing with the f stop.



This message was edited Dec 16, 2010 10:22 PM

That is so cute!

LOL....know all about those moments of weakness..... that is why when our French bulldog had babies we were supposed to keep one and ended up with two! So, now we have a zoo!

If you don't mind, please measure the wire when you get a chance, and get me some overall dimensions of the feeder. I have a small bowl that I thought I could use for the inside bowl, IF it is shallow enough. I am sure he can make me one IF we can find the right size mesh, and he sees what i am talking about.
Thanks so much for your help!

Genna

I really am not trying to resurrect this thread, but I am so pleased with the coffee mugs I ordered through Costco and wanted to show you . I used seven of my bluebird pictures, (and ordered two of one picture). I did it all online and here are the results. In fact, I just ordered 16 more, plus six with pictures of some of my grandkids on them.

I do not want to market them. These are for some of the ladies at the nursing home where my mother in law lives., But it's a nice gift idea you might think about for for some of your favorite pictures.

And Genna, I see that I still owe you an answer to the request you made about the cage feeder. I am sorry it slipped my mind and I will try to respond with a D-mail in the next few days.

Dave

Wow - those are stunning! I bet you would be successful if you tried to market them....they are really pretty! I figured you were busy and would eventually return to this thread with more beautiful pictures!

Thanks!
Genna