Getting Outdoors
When a person has been sick in bed, it is so nice to get outdoors again and take photos.Not many birds and it was cold out,minus twenty, but here are some images of the environment, the Black-capped Chickadee and a Downy Woodpecker.
Curiousity
The chickadees are more approachable as are the squirrels and gulls as they gather food and seek handouts. These are favourites of a young Ring-billed Gull, a Black-capped Chickadee and a Red Squirrel seen in the parks in the city. I did not feed them, they just came to check me out and let me take their photo..
Last Days of Summer
After the cold and snow flurries last week and the inevitable whining, I felt so relaxed and grateful today as I walked along natural paths, observed the changes in the trees and bushes. and watched the squirrels as they hurried back and forth, with mouths full of food , preparing for the inevitable cold days ahead.It was a good day to be out doors with temperatures back in the normal zone.
Except for a few territorial squabbles, and the odd chase by children, the geese mostly ate grass and relaxed. I took photos of the things that caught my eye. hope you enjoy my look at the world.
So What is the Park Like Now?
Two weeks ago Hawrelak Park was full of people attending the World Triathlon finals. The pond, or lake, as the media called it, was treated with chlorine and some ducks and a few die hard geese stayed at the opposite end from where the activities took place, their feathers looking a little worse for the wear.I wondered if the rest of the ducks and geese had left permanently. The people who were responsible for organizing, setting up and striking down all the equipment for the World Triathlon Finals did a phenomenal job and the grounds look good , the pond, er lake is full.
I returned today as it was my day off and it was sunny and warm, a perfect day for the last bit of summer. The park was a good place to go to walk and take photos. No special events here today but people and water fowl were out in numbers, mostly relaxing.
What to Do
This Chickadee seems perplexed, as if it is not sure what to do with this insect. It would seem to take a bite, then stop and look at the insect. Maybe it didn’t taste so good.
A Good Day for Birding
It was a great day yesterday. I had only two clients each at opposite ends of the day so I spent the hours in between at the park and had a great time! Oh, and check this out Deb. I didn’t know I had this until I saw the photo: Birds are as follows: black-capped chickadee, slate-coloured Junco, female pileated woodpecker, white-breasted nuthatch x2, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, red-breasted nuthatch, female pileated woodpecker, male pileated woodpecker, and male pileatedwoodpecker Most were shot in aperture or shutter priority with an ISO of 800.
More Birds from Last Week
While I take a break from shovelling the snow from around the car -at least one foot of it – I would like to share some photos of the birds that I saw near the feeders at Hawrelak Park in the last week.
The first few were shot using Aperture Priority, the woodpecker in Shutter priority and the squirrel in Manual mode. I have been experimenting with modes, departing from using my usual manual mode because sometimes the birds move so fast or the light changes so quickly that one less button to adjust might come in handy. It is nice to have a narrow depth of field but more likely that parts of the bird will be out of focus when it is moving so much so better to shut down the aperture somewhat from f/6 to f/8. I find too, that being zoomed- in totally gives me a better chance of losing parts of the planned composition.When I need the fast shutter speed I turn up the ISO. Live and learn.What mode do you shoot birds in?
Mostly I like to get a shot of a bird when it lands on a branch before or after going to the feeder but in the case of the Red-breasted Nuthatch, it was too well-hidden in the branches and very evasive.
There was a White-breasted Nuthatch.
as well as a Red-breasted Nuthatch. I once had one of these land in my hand while I was feeding the chickadees.
Some Common Redpolls:
and a few Black-Capped Chickadees. Although I can not see this one’s face, I like seeing how it holds the seed between its feet so it can break the husk off.
Here is a different view of a Hairy Woodpecker feeding at the suet feeder:
and one with a Chickadee flying away that has no still, in-focus parts, but I like the action:
And of course, though it is not always welcome, I had to include a Red Squirrel. Took this shot using manual mode and do admit is is somewhat over-exposed in spots:
I am looking forward to going back to the park but first need to dig myself out. Usually there is lots of activity at the feeders after a big snowfall.
Freezing Cold and Great Birding Weather
I am so glad that I went to the park on Christmas Eve day because it was so beautiful with fresh snow and bright sunshine even though it was freezing cold. Igot some great shots of the birds at the feeders restoring their energy. I stayed a while but had to leave when I couldn’t feel my toes. When I got home my cheeks burned as if i had gotten a sunburn but it was from the cold luckily no frost bite. Last night I went to the candlelight service at my neighbourhood church. It was a great ending to a wonderful day. Here are some photos of Pine Grosbeaks, common Redpolls, Red-breasted Nuthatch and the ever-loving Black-Capped Chickadee.
My Heartsong 