Some recent shots

[Barbara Ponder]

Red Shouldered or Tailed (never remember which body part) CC always welcomed and appreciated.



American Avocet


Yellow Crowned Night Heron I think I have mentioned before that this is the bird that got me interested in photographing birds, just about a year ago. One had landed on the roof of the house behind us and I was fascinated by it. Yesterday when I let the dog out I looked to my left to see a dead one of these laying with broken neck at the bottom of my bay window. It was just so sad to see it there . Today I made it a point to go find one and photograph it to pay homage to the bird that for me started it all.

[bnnrcn]

Again great shots Barbara

[IzzieK]

All good shots, Barbara...I particularly like #1 for its bird-on-the-wire pose (?) The second one is a bit soft but still nice...I have not seen this one in person ..yet.. The third one with your story is sad. I am glad you found the dead one. Did you bury it?

[Shadowman]

Very nice series.

[Krawuntzel]

Hello Barbara
good pictures - and a sad story of the heron.
Some orthodox bird photographers would say, that the red shouldered hawk is not a "valid" picture, because there is a wire and not a branch - in contrast I think that we should show also where these birds live and it is not only the wild, wild nature. However, the out of focus second wire (?) is in distracting: if I look a few seconds on the birds tail, then move my eyes up the picture, I (or rather my brain) sees more horizontal stripes.
american avocet: for me personally a crop which would off-center the bird would work better. The blurried reflection in the water does IMHO not add to the picture, because it is "cut off".
Erwin

[Saorsa]

The hawk is definitely red shouldered. The bars on the tail on one way to differentiate between red-shouldered and red-tailed. The red-tailed also generally has a whiter breast.

The only concern with 'hand of man' is entering nature photography exhibitions although that is gradually changing to be more lenient. For example, ringed birds are OK, I suspect that jesses are not.

[Barbara Ponder]

Again great shots Barbara

Thanks Binnur!

[Barbara Ponder]

All good shots, Barbara...I particularly like #1 for its bird-on-the-wire pose (?) The second one is a bit soft but still nice...I have not seen this one in person ..yet.. The third one with your story is sad. I am glad you found the dead one. Did you bury it?

Thanks Izzie, The hawk is sitting on electrical wires near a local University campus. Wires and tops of trees seem to be popular for these birds of prey gives them a good look, at the field below, in this case. The 2nd bird is a small bird and very lovely. I had been looking for one and was happy to find this one while walking along the shore.

I did not bury the bird we have a dog that digs for no reason and I knew she would dig it up. My husband instead wrapped it up and put it in the trash. i could not even look at it.

[Barbara Ponder]

Hello Barbara
good pictures - and a sad story of the heron.
Some orthodox bird photographers would say, that the red shouldered hawk is not a "valid" picture, because there is a wire and not a branch - in contrast I think that we should show also where these birds live and it is not only the wild, wild nature. However, the out of focus second wire (?) is in distracting: if I look a few seconds on the birds tail, then move my eyes up the picture, I (or rather my brain) sees more horizontal stripes.
american avocet: for me personally a crop which would off-center the bird would work better. The blurried reflection in the water does IMHO not add to the picture, because it is "cut off".
Erwin

Erwin, I agree that with humans infringing on nature the wild wild is becoming harder to find. This particular hawk or could be group of them sits on this wire a lot, they are electrical wires that sit above a field with short grass and on one side is the University and the other a nature trail. In the field at dusk deer feed in the same field. I had not noticed the second wire until you mentioned it and now I am getting that same sensation when I look at it. I will try your suggestion on the crop, thanks!

[Barbara Ponder]

The hawk is definitely red shouldered. The bars on the tail on one way to differentiate between red-shouldered and red-tailed. The red-tailed also generally has a whiter breast.

The only concern with 'hand of man' is entering nature photography exhibitions although that is gradually changing to be more lenient. For example, ringed birds are OK, I suspect that jesses are not.

Brian, thanks for the id. I shoot them where I find them so to me that is in nature but something to keep in mind should I ever enter a contest, thanks! I have been amazed at how many banded (i suppose that is what you mean by ringed) birds I have encountered lately. We must have a very active program here.

[Tom Barry]

Expert work as expected, Barbara. You're really nailing your technique.

[Wavelength]

Superb images.... and a sad story....

[James G]

Barbara, excellent captures.

[Barbara Ponder]

Very nice series.

Thanks John!

[Barbara Ponder]

Superb images.... and a sad story....

Thank you Nandakumar!

[Barbara Ponder]

Expert work as expected, Barbara. You're really nailing your technique.

Thank you Tom!

[Barbara Ponder]

Barbara, excellent captures.

Thank you James!

[Aeros]

Barbara, I was about to comment and go on about "I take what I'm given" but you beat me to it with your own comment about "I shoot them where I find them so to me that is in nature" I agree whole heartedly. The cropping advice from Irwin I agree with and by cropping I would start at the left side close to the tail and then half as much off the top. I like the American Avocet photo a lot, the softness actually adds for me rather than subtracts.

[Barbara Ponder]

Barbara, I was about to comment and go on about "I take what I'm given" but you beat me to it with your own comment about "I shoot them where I find them so to me that is in nature" I agree whole heartedly. The cropping advice from Irwin I agree with and by cropping I would start at the left side close to the tail and then half as much off the top. I like the American Avocet photo a lot, the softness actually adds for me rather than subtracts.

Thanks Richard! I took a class here given by a well published "nature photographer" she was really singing the praises of ranches that "stage" for photographers and said they are even used in publications to get that perfect shot. You can get really close up, the backgrounds are all so nice etc. etc. etc. She took groups to these and I am sure made money off the deal. I have no problem with that, however, I really enjoy the hunt that is involved in finding the birds I shoot so if the background is not ideal it's because it was natural at the place I took the photo and obviously if the bird was there he thought so as well.

[Rebel]

Great shots Barbara, number 2 is stunning!