Visit to my old birding locale

[NorthernFocus]

I traveled to Fairbanks on business today and took along a camera. Had a couple of hours this morning to visit Creamers Field, the local wildlife reserve. Haven't shot there since we moved away in 2010. It was a bit slow as the migratory birds have already moved on north. There were a couple of sandhill cranes hanging around that must have decided to make it their summer home. There are dozens of nest boxes set out for the swallows but they've just begun to stake them out and aren't in the nest yet. I managed to come away with a few shots before heading off to work for the day.

All with Nikon D7100, 80-400mm AF-S, Bushhawk

View the larger versions in the lightbox.

First the sandies. A couple of them did a nice dance right in front of me but I was behind a bush working my way closer at the time and missed getting a shot. So nothing compelling content wise.











Very accommodating tree swallow allowed this FF image.



And this LBB was singing along the path on my way out.

[deetheturk]

Great series Dan,wonderful captures

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice series I love the last two.

[Brownbear]

I especially love #3 for the techs (kidding) - for the sheer beauty of the image. And also the tree swallow and the little bird singing.

[chauncey]

Aside from the fact that they are all great shots the first, second, fourth, and fifth sand cranes lack the minute detail present in the third crane...any idea why?
I do like the tacky sharpness of the others...great shooting.

[Otavio]

Very nice series, Dan. #3 and #7 are my favourites. Well done!

[NorthernFocus]

Sorry for not responding sooner. We went out on Prince William Sound for our first trip of the season and just got back. Thanks for all the comments.

Chauncey I noticed the same thing that one shot has more detail than the others. I haven't gone back to look closely as to why but one difference is that one was in the best light and has highest shutter speed and lowest ISO setting of them all. They all had minimal PP so I don't think anything different in that regard. I'll put up another post if I find anything other than the techs already mentioned.

The wingtips on the flight shots were likely borderline on DOF as they are pretty big birds and I was shooting wide open at f5.6 on that lens. Which could be marginal depending on focal point.

[Scouse]

Nice series Dan. I particularly like the 5th. Stands right out there. f5.6 shows a nice bokeh with the trees.
Then the last 2 are special also.