American Dipper (another first)

[NorthernFocus]

And no I did not start using tobacco. This was one of those lemonade out of lemons situations.

One bird I've wanted to shoot for a long time is the American Dipper. The dipper is a rather nondescript looking little song bird about the size of a house wren. But there are two reasons I've had this desire to shoot them. First, I often see them when I'm shooting streams/falls armed with nothing but wide angle lenses. That tends to tweak my desire. Second, they are rather unique little birds. They dive into rapids and while submerged they walk along the bottom looking under rocks for aquatic creatures. Cornell describes them as follows:

A chunky bird of western streams, the American Dipper is North America's only truly aquatic songbird. It catches all of its food underwater in swiftly flowing streams by swimming and walking on the stream bottom.

Well for once I had the right equipment when they showed up. I was set up on an eagle feeding on a fish with my 500mm plus 1.4x TC on a FF body. Three of the little rascals flew in and landed in the gravel just near me.

1) On the river bank. Two additional birds were just out of frame.



2) This one was (briefly)very accommodating by landing on a log within a few feet of me. The BG is a patch of nice smooth grey silt/mud on the river bank.

[Wavelength]

Cute little bird

[Rita]

It is amazing that such a small bird is able to stand agains the fast flowing water. One would think that it would get washed downstream in the flow. Nature is so wonderful!

[Shadowman]

Nice set.

[John 2]

A couple of nice shots Dan.

[Craigie]

Two nice images, particularly like #2.

[JohnRostron]

Very nice, especially #2. Interesting to see the American version of the European Dipper, common in UK uplands.

John

[madcrow]

Nice bird and images.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for commenting, folks. Like most song birds these little guys didn't hang around long. If not for the fact that I was sitting there all set up, exposure figured out, etc, I'd not have made the captures.

[Cantab]

Thanks for commenting, folks. Like most song birds these little guys didn't hang around long. If not for the fact that I was sitting there all set up, exposure figured out, etc, I'd not have made the captures.

Dan, these are superb. There's a stream not all that far from home where I've seen dippers (and spawning salmon) but have never managed a photo. As you say, these small birds rarely stay in one place for long. But you've inspired me to have a go at shooting one.

[IzzieK]

The first one needs a bit of brightening up to compare that to the pretty second one. I like the scene in the first shot...but I like the exposure of the second shot...

[NorthernFocus]

...As you say, these small birds rarely stay in one place for long. But you've inspired me to have a go at shooting one.

One reason I've not tried for them specifically is that when I've seen them they seem to move along a stream rather quickly. They don't seem to linger in a particular spot to feed. Very difficult behavior to go after intentionally. Definitely a challenge.

The first one needs a bit of brightening up to compare that to the pretty second one. I like the scene in the first shot...but I like the exposure of the second shot...

Now that you mention it the first one does look a bit dark. Better?

[Cantab]

Now that you mention it the first one does look a bit dark. Better?

Dan, whenever I've seen a dipper it's been in an area without a lot of light (trees overhanging a stream edge). So I was okay with your original exposure. But I suppose it all depends on what effect you want to convey.

[bnnrcn]

I find the brigthened version better Dan, nice images

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments, Bruce and Binnur.

Dan, whenever I've seen a dipper it's been in an area without a lot of light (trees overhanging a stream edge). So I was okay with your original exposure. But I suppose it all depends on what effect you want to convey.

Previously I've always seen solitary birds is settings like you describe. This time there were three together flitting about an open river bank. When they first appeared I ignored them thinking they were simply nondescript LBBs. When they flew down to the edge of the water is when I took a second look and recognized them for dippers.

This is a case when I'm more interested in displaying the bird than in re-creating the scene with complete accuracy. It was pretty dark that day and the first version is probably closer to "reality". Let's just say I used flash (as Dave Humphries suggested in another thread) but did so after the fact

[Bobobird]

Nicely done.

[IzzieK]

Yes please...I like it better. Thank you for indulging me.