DAILY PICTURES Vol. 14

Being a birdwatcher, I spotted this thread while surfing Dave's. Thought some of you regulars might like this shot of a Shrub Jay in fall foliage, taken in my daughter's back yard in Paradise, CA.

Rod (mate of 8)

Thats a Beautiful pic of the Scrub Jay!

Thanks so much for posting it!!

I agree, beautiful Scrub Jay shot.....always great to catch them with a nice background.

Thanks Resin

I agree too - beautiful! Its especially interesting to see bird pics of birds I never see in my area!

Our deck is a nice viewing place for the birds and wildlife. Over the last few years, it has been increasingly harder to see out due to tree growth. We have trimmed truck loads out to no avail.
Yesterday, we took out a large maple that the foliage was blocking everything. It was not an easy decision.
Less than a half hour later, we saw not one, but 2 bald eagles. And later that day an immature golden eagle, hopping around, grooming and scratching. (really need a camera that hooks to the spotting scope)
We would never have seen these before cutting the tree.
We don't see golden eagles that much here, and to see a young one, it was the first time.

Cpart - the camera I use, which doesn't cost an arm and a leg, can go to 48 power with seamless digital (12 x optical). With the optional teleconverter, again reasonable priced, it will reach 72 power. Tripod use advised for long range. My Nikon spotting scope only goes to 60 power. Granted at max range you will not get good shots for enlargements. But you can get good confirmation of what you are seeing. Canon S3-IS (IS = image stabilization). Attached handheld at less than maximum power, and resized to smaller file size. Earlier that same day and with the same camera, I took a fine grain close-up of a Gray Hairstreak - very small butterfly - 5/8th inch length of forewing.

Rod

Wow, cameras are changing so fast. Thanks for the info. I sure would like something like that, as I have a great place for taking pictures of wildlife and birds.
As soon as I can convince someone to hire me (downsizing of my job, put a huge crimp in my life) I will be getting a new camera.
Rod....Your picture says it all.

I've got my eye on you

How adorable!

I am still enjoying the changing young cardinals.

Very nice pic!

Ha, that cardinal looks like a teenager from the '50's. I bet he has a pack of cigs rolled up in the wing sleeve of his t shirt.

Flycatcher, a first for me!

I haven't been able to get close enough for a good image, but I think it's a Pacific-slope Flycatcher. It spends most of the day at the same spot, only leaving to catch an insect.

Another

Congratulations tiger!! Looks like it could be a PsF.

A hummer shot today.

Wow, very nice!!!

todays hummer

All great pics!

Tigerlily, that is awesome detail. I am impressed. Have you I.D.'ed the hummer?

Attached is one I took earlier this year of a Yellow Crowned Night Heron.

Rod

Wow, very nice Rod!

catbird, my hummer is a juvenile Rufous. Rufous is all we have here, and the adult males have apparently gone already, as I haven't seen one in over a week. Have females and lots of juvies though.

Here's one scratching. I wish the eyes were showing, but was surprised at the feather detail in the front. It appears very "layered".

Tigerlily, what camera are you using? I know the photographer is responsible for the art but the detail you are getting is still blowing me away!

Rod

Here's my humble little offering. Just a house finch, but as a newbie, I'm thrilled to get any bird, even the most common, at my feeder!

Here's a close-up of her:

frustation... this male Tanager comes by every two or three days but wont come in close enough for a decent pic. Any ideas how to get him to come in closer?

catbird, the camera is Canon EOS 30D. Just think what I'll be able to do w/ it if I ever learn the camera! LOL I love it on bright days, but on grey overcast days, all I get is grey silouettes.

I have learning CD's, but PC won't recognize them. Back for repairs again we go.

This message was edited Jul 26, 2007 7:44 AM

cpartschick, I also thought of a teenager from the 50's when I saw fchisolm's great photo of the young cardinal!

Fchisolm, also great hummer photo.

Tiger, you too - super hummer pics!

Lady_Eagle, we all love even the most common of birds - looking forward to more of your pics.

A rather tame pair of Steller's Jays have returned. They come to the feeder on kitchen window sill. They will sit and wait for me to come out with a few peanuts. They hadn't been here for months. But, they are just as tame as they were last fall.

(It's surprising they quit coming around for a while. It took them a long time to train me to bring out peanuts on command.)

The one Jay is much more trusting than it's mate. Sometimes, if I hold a peanut next to the end of the tree limb, he will walk down the limb and take it out of my hand.

Thats cute Gras! Very nice pics!

Hope you all don't mind but I'm starting a new thread.

here's the new volume.

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/753242/

This message was edited Jul 26, 2007 4:53 PM

Tigerlily, those Hummer shots are just amazing.....wonderful detail.