Bohemian Waxwings

[NorthernFocus]

This is a bird I've wanted to photograph for many years. Bohemian waxwing get there name due to their nomadic lifestyle. They are beautiful little birds, slightly smaller than the North American robin, and travel in moderate sized flocks. They feed primarily on berries. From what I can gather there is no noticeable difference in markings between male and female.

Here in south central Alaska mountain ash trees grow naturally in the forest. They provide beautiful leaf color and large clumps of red berries in fall so many people plant them in yards where they do very well, often reaching heights of 40-50ft(15m). The berries are the favorite food of the bohemian waxwing. For years I've worked in office buildings with ash trees in the landscaping and have seen bohemians feeding many times but have never had an opportunity to shoot them. This past August when we moved into our current home I was interested to see that our next door neighbor has several large ash trees

I've been keeping an eye on the trees and yesterday the bohemians finally showed up. Unfortunately it was late on a cloudy, drizzly day and the light was terrible. Plus I was in the middle of laying tile in the kitchen But I may not get another chance due to frequent travel in coming weeks. So I snuck away from the boss long enough to take a few shots

As I said, lighting was horrid. Poor light and that strongly backlit. Had to crank it up to ISO2500 on the D500 which is less than optimal to say the least. Please excuse the noise as I didn't take the time for anything more than basic NR on these shots. They really need to be run through Neat Image. As always best viewed in the light box.

Nikon D500, Nikon 200-500mm f5.6 VR, handheld
1/1000, f5.6, ISO2500

1) I believe this is an immature bird due to the lack of red tips on the back of wings. They were difficult to frame even when perched on the bunches of berries. Combined weight of berries and bird on the branch tips and the bird's movement caused them to bounce several inches vertically. The birds were often inverted trying to get at the berries.


2) I was not able to capture one with crest fully displayed. This was the most visible crest I managed. Note the little red tips on back of wings and reddish brown under the tail. Once they pick a berry they toss it into the air, catch it in wide open beak, and swallow it whole. I managed a shot or two of the toss but with messy BG. The dull look to the berries beneath the bird in this shot is due to them being partially obscured by an OOF branch. My shooting position was very awkward with a lot of branches between camera and the ash tree. Though I was off the ground so vertical angle wasn't bad.

[FootLoose]

What a beautiful bird. I have never seen anything like it, Dan. Well done capturing in the adverse conditions.

[IzzieK]

Very nice shots Dan. You managed to show the difference and the neatness of the shapes of the birds. #2 has lesser focus on the eyes. Maybe it needs a little sharpening on that area like the first one.

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[marlunn]

cracking images Dan, we get them over here from scandinavia in winter, yet to manage to photograph one

[Bobobird]

Excellent images Dan.
Now go get them in flight. haha

I have had several opportunities here to get them during summers but in with the berries have been elusive. Hopefully soon.

[Ziggy]

Nice captures Dan.

[Craigie]

A real nice pair of images.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments, folks. When I walked took the dog out for her morning constitutional the sky was clear. Hopefully the birds come back today and I get one more chance with them in better light this time. Tomorrow AM I'm on a plane so this will likely be my last chance this year.

Izzie, I agree the eye is much clearer in the first image. I'll look back at the NEFs and see if the lighting was that much different or if I did something different with the PP.

Bobo, actually getting them in BIF shots would be quite possible if they were feeding on a lower tree and out in the open. There was a definite pattern to their behavior which would make it a reasonable effort at least. But I'd need to be set up on a tripod or a smaller/lighter lens on a shoulder stock.

A couple of days ago they were flitting around our back yard and one wacked into the porch screen. I sat on the ground quite addled and breathing heavily for a good while. It was gone later so apparently if finally collected itself and flew off.

[Wavelength]

Such a classic bird shots!!! this bird is all new for me

[joebranko]

Beautiful capture of this beautiful bird.

[kaneohebud]

Hey, Dan. Damn fine shots for handheld in poor conditions. Don't you just love the D500 with the 200-500?

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments. I was able to grab a few more shots today in better light. I'll post some of them when I get the time. I'm heading down to Chilkat in the morning for the eagle gathering.

... Don't you just love the D500 with the 200-500?

I do like the combination in most situations. One weakness I'm finding in the 200-500 is that it has pretty bad CA in high contrast situations. And when you tell LR to correct it fixes the purple fringing but not the luminosity. So you end up with a bright halo that looks like sharpening artifact. Annoying when it occurs. Birds against a bright sky is one situation. It has also shown up on the few bald eagle shots that I've made with it. CA around the head. Consequently that lens won't be making the trip to Chilkat with me tomorrow.

[terrib]

You did a wonderful job with the lighting. I've never seen one of these and have only seen their cousins, Cedar Waxwing, very high in the trees so no good shots. These are quite nice!

[IzzieK]

Have a safe trip!

[madcrow]

Great work considering the weather.