Mike's Birding Day or Couple of Hours (1 Viewer)

[MikeInPA]

After my retirement I don't get much time off from my House Elf duties, so apart from the odd day when I get time off for good behavior I only have time for an hour or two if I'm lucky. In reality I'm not much of a birder as such these days anyway, I'm more of a bird photographer. Don't get me wrong, I used to be a fully paid up pager carrying twitcher with a UK list in the mid 400's (lumps and splits not included) before I left 22 years ago. These days I'd rather sit in the comfort of my armchair (after I've shifted the cat) with a cup of English Breakfast and photograph out of my window. I have a variety of perches I rearrange as it suits me and rather than walk around trying to photograph I prefer to bring them to me where I can photograph them in comfort. Here's 3 of the 800+ shots from this morning.

More Pictures Here

 

[KC Foggin]

800+ shots? Must have to recharge your batteries often
Three great images of the Titmouse, Chickadee and Nuthatch Mike!

 

[MikeInPA]

800+ shots? Must have to recharge your batteries often
Three great images of the Titmouse, Chickadee and Nuthatch Mike!

Big feet, big battery. 🤣

I fixed the link to some of the other 800+ shots.

(only a few 🤪).

 

[KC Foggin]

Big feet, big battery. 🤣

I fixed the link to some of the other 800+ shots.

(only a few 🤪).

Well it sounds as though it was a good day for you

 

[MikeInPA]

Saturday morning I had to make a batch of Mike's Famous Peanut Butter Suet cake for my birds. I then had to pop over to see a friend about 20 minutes away not thinking for one minute I'd need my big lens. Crap. I needed my big lens. In his yard he has a big old Cedar that was crawling with Cedar Waxwings. Damnit. He also has an old Honeysuckle trip with huge red berries so he's under orders that as soon as they start strip the berries to give me a call and I'll be over in a shot. While I get Cedar Waxwings in the yard I very rarely see them low down so I only have a couple of shots of them and want more. When I got home around midday the light was perfect being bright overcast which is ideal. Here's a couple from today with a load more here.

 

[A2GG]

I do only 1-3 hours each outing nowadays as well. I don’t have the energy for much more than that. I had a nice closeup of a Carolina Chickadee this morning too.
Also, an uncommon Orange-crowned Warbler which was a pleasant surprise.

 

[MikeInPA]

I do only 1-3 hours each outing nowadays as well. I don’t have the energy for much more than that. I had a nice closeup of a Carolina Chickadee this morning too.
Also, an uncommon Orange-crowned Warbler which was a pleasant surprise.

I've only managed to get a shot of one Orange-crowned myself as they are not at all common in PA. I get a couple of hours photographing in the yard most days and the odd day trip to the coast at various times of the year. It's almost time to pop down over the Mason Dixon Line to Maryland to Conowingo Dam for the Bald Eagles. After that down to Bombay Hook in Delaware for the Ducks and Geese and in the New Year over to Barnegat Lighthouse for the Harlequin and Long-tailed Ducks. In late January early February it's over to Middle Creek for the thousands of Snow Geese.

With the Chickadee's it very difficult as I live in the hybridization zone. Without a DNA test you can never be entirely sure but in the Winter the big Northerly Black-capped start showing up around here. Often it's just Chickadee Sp.

 

[A2GG]

With the Chickadee's it very difficult as I live in the hybridization zone. Without a DNA test you can never be entirely sure but in the Winter the big Northerly Black-capped start showing up around here. Often it's just Chickadee Sp.

Same here in central NJ. I have to list ‘Black-capped/Carolina chickadee’ at certain spots I visit.

 

[MikeInPA]

Not had much chance the last few days. I've definitely had a better few days. I'm trying to deal with the leaves and hitting one or two snags preventing me doing that.



This was awaiting me Saturday morning. Good job breeding season is over, the Flickers will have to make a new hole next Spring.

The last few days.

 

[MikeInPA]

The weather forecast for Tuesday 15th was rain, more rain with a bit of a wintry mix. With the early morning temperatures 27F (-2.7C) I wasn't going to rush out and fire up the chainsaw on my fallen tree. The light was superb so I stayed inside in the warm with a nice cup of English Breakfast and stuck my big lens out the window.

Not the day I was expecting.

 

[Original PaulE]

The weather forecast for Tuesday 15th was rain, more rain with a bit of a wintry mix. With the early morning temperatures 27F (-2.7C) I wasn't going to rush out and fire up the chainsaw on my fallen tree. The light was superb so I stayed inside in the warm with a nice cup of English Breakfast and stuck my big lens out the window.

Not the day I was expecting.

Great Pics!

 

[MikeInPA]

Great Pics!

Thanks Paul.

It did turn nasty in the afternoon hail then sleet than heavy wet snow. Around 5pm I was looking at the snow falling in a darkened room and noticed a ‘lump’ at eye level on the trunk of this Cherry tree 8 ft or so from the window. Through bins it was as I thought, an Eastern Screech Owl sheltering from the snow. I have a big flat rock where I spread bird seed and no doubt voles and mice get some. I suspect the owl was looking for supper. 🦉

 

[MikeInPA]

I managed 1 hour 4 minutes this morning before I considered the light a bit harsh. In that time I shot 930, downloaded 60 and actually processed the 10 you see here.

Tragedy marred this morning photoshoot.

When I started I set the Merlin Sound ID running by the open window. It heard the following:

Starling
Northern Cardinal
House Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Blue Jay
American Robin
Dark-eyed Junco
Great Blue Heron
House Finch
Horned Lark
Red-tailed Hawk
Black-capped Chickadee
Canada Goose
Common Raven

What it didn't pickup was the noisy little Carolina Woodpecker which is strange.

 

[MikeInPA]

I thought about getting this set instead of dropping down a camo net in the window.

Ghillie BUNDLE

I think the Missus would complain about bits dropping all over the place.🤣

 

[Stonefaction]

I managed 1 hour 4 minutes this morning before I considered the light a bit harsh. In that time I shot 930, downloaded 60 and actually processed the 10 you see here.

Tragedy marred this morning photoshoot.

When I started I set the Merlin Sound ID running by the open window. It heard the following:

Starling
Northern Cardinal
House Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Blue Jay
American Robin
Dark-eyed Junco
Great Blue Heron
House Finch
Horned Lark
Red-tailed Hawk
Black-capped Chickadee
Canada Goose
Common Raven

What it didn't pickup was the noisy little Carolina Woodpecker which is strange.

Some lovely pics there, Mike.

 

[MikeInPA]

Some lovely pics there, Mike.

Thanks Stone, having good early morning light helps. 👍