Monday, 24 March 2014

Sunday Juncos in the blind

Sunday, it was also very nice out and warm so I set up our blind in the backyard and let the birds get used to it for a bit while we visited. I then spent some time trying to get whatever came along. Once unloaded - perhaps the most exciting time for a photographer - besides being in an actual exciting shoot of something special... the first run through...
 
 

On this day, I was hoping for my favourite little white throated sparrow, but they only hung out with the Blue Jays at the other feeders and didn't come over to where I had my blind set up over by the garden shed and fence... so when I ran through these juncos - thought they would be tester birds for practice - I was pleasantly surprised they turned out to be the stars of the day.

 
There were plenty of chickadees but they didn't show as well as some of the chickadees I already have - so I'm particular about those guys... There are a few "stager" trees that the birds come to before hopping onto the feeder. and then there's a good distance from some trees over to the ones in behind for some nice background depth.   
 

 
I like the range I can shoot - but I have some work to do to get ready for the nice weather - like a nice platform for the tent and chair, the right chair, replace the wooden racks with more natural perches...
 

 
...and it was fun watching and listening and trying not to miss them. The only down side is my little Allie wanted to bark and chase up the squirrels - so in the house for her - and she can't figure out why I'm outside and she has to be inside. I'll have to take a picture of her watching me out the window... and I did take her for a little walk later. It'll be better when I am retired and we can do both things every day... It was a great day to get back in the mood for Spring and Summer and nice weather.

Saturday, 22 March 2014

Sammy the Snowy for Mom and Terry

Mom came down for a visit today and tomorrow and it was the nicest day of Spring so far so I asked if she would like to take a run over to see if we could see Sammy. He wasn't around initially but there were a few guys there waiting a return - he left temporarily about 15 minutes before we arrived.
 We were going to drive "over there" to have a look when all of a sudden out comes Sammy and he landed about 30 yards from the Parking lot - you should have seen the folks scrambling to get into position and then the traffic that slowed down "to see what was goin' on". He sat there for 10 minutes... or so and then ...
he took off and did a few areobatics for the folks... Mom and Terry (and Allie) were sitting in the nice comfy truck with front row seats watching the whole show ...
 I had scrambled out to the shoulder of the road and was freezing my fingers - there was a bit of a breeze so the wind chill was nippy... and it is definitely harder to hold the camera still - even with the monopod.
 He crossed in front of us and then landed on the end of the perch two frames down. One photographer walked out onto the marsh and went in amongst the trees where Sammy spent a lot of his time this winter.
 At the end of the day he was able to get tremendous shots from this, Sammy's finale spot for the session. He was to the right about 25-30' away and Sammy didn't seem to be bothered by anyone today. I guess he has gotten used to a lot of attention. I still don't condone the "invasion" of Sammy's territory by people who just don't seem to realize that Sammy is fighting for his life for food - just to get a decent shot... and that even the distraction of watching people distracts him for his hunt for food... It's probably a short time before he heads back north ... Thanks Sammy (could be female although I referred to "him" a lot- just easier to pick one gender and stick to it).
 
I hope I see him again - but the chances are nearly nil - but we'll see. We won't know if it is the same Sammy if he reappears next winter - but I will certainly be looking for him next time the snow flies... it's called HOPE...

Monday, 17 March 2014

 We went over to the Island (PEI) last Spring to visit Terr's brother Jeff and family and here is a new potatoe field just waiting for the spuds to sprout. It's a clean sky, ground, green just let me grow type of serenity.
 
.... and then there's the foggy quiet of Wood Islands while waitng to land in the rain - all of a sudden you get this beautiful foggy front and back lighthouse picture. Everyone else was indoors out of the rain and missing this sight that just happened ... and I find these happen all the time if you just watch for them - with camera in hand of course. You NEVER know what you will get ... 
 

 And I can't leave out a Peggy's Cove shot and a sunset in Shelburne, just to balance out the Nova Scotia side of the equation...
 


Here are the results of spending several hours in our dual hunting blinds in our backyard last fall. My brother Paul and I spent parts of two days shooting the 10-15 Blue Jays and pheasants that were insatiable - they ate  continuously for a number of days before and have continued all winter.
 
 


If you're late in the morning they make a huge cacaphony of Blue Jay shrieks and calls so you can't even sleep in... It's surprising because when the Jays are busy feeding - they are actually very quiet and just go about their business..


These are my favourite birds - really - in terms of character and squawking and beautiful blue colors.. A close second are their cousins - the grey Jays...where they keep you company during hunting season... very friendly and quiet and friendly.


This one was a favourite when I had "TheJays" up at my office gallery of 4 - 12x18".