Friday, July 12, 2013

Bird Photo Challenge

This month's Personal Photo Challenge theme is birds. I've taken quite a few photos of birds over the years. but this year has been pretty lean. Recently, though, my husband noticed a mama Baltimore Oriole hanging around the junk pile and eventually found a baby tucked between two sheets of metal. I was able to get a few of good shots.

Mama Oriole with some food for her baby.

Not such a good background, huh?

It was really hard to get a good shot in this tight space.

Most of my good bird shots are a matter of luck more than skill. One great thing I learned is that you can take good photos through the window, and the glass doesn't even have to be super-clean. I usually have my camera (Nikon D5100) on the auto-without-flash setting or on aperture priority. Both those settings create that nice blurry background.  Here are a few of my best.

Female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Male Cardinal

Many thanks to Donna of Cottage Days and Journeys for creating this safe outlet for our photographic efforts! 

14 comments:

  1. Oh I have been standing too far from the window...and STILL they saw me. Thank you for that lesson. I'll try again one day. That nuthatch is so crystal clear...it's my very favorite one.

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  2. Excellent work...Is your yard a bird habitat? What a variety of birds, I'm a little jealous, I guess I should be happy with my doves and martins. Gorgeous photos Nancy!

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  3. Great job! I really like the photo story of the orioles! The metal background works because it gives a terrific example of the crazy places that birds use for nests! And your other photos are darling, with lovely blurred backgrounds. I think that the tufted titmouse is my favorite because I adore that side-lighting, giving the bird a 3-dimensional quality.

    You know your way around a camera to use the aperture to your advantage! I find that I keep my camera on aperture priority about 99% of the time.

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  4. Your photos with the rusty rings is my favorite! I love something different...not just leaves and branches. And the tight spot is a fav, too! I think these would be so beautiful to print and display with old books or primitives! Great job!

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  5. I love ALL your bird photos Nancy. The Oriole shots are interesting showing the nesting habitat, as Donna says. I have a soft spot for hummers and the Nuthatch photo is wonderful... love them all! You obviously have a longer lens or cleaner windows than I.. haha. I'm a new Follower of your blog- look forward to more of your wonderful photography.

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    1. Thanks for the kind words...and for following my little blog! Hope you find some blessings here.:)

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  6. These are really nice photos and such a nice variety of birds. Very well done! Funny how birds will find nesting opportunities in the craziest places.

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  7. Great photos, they are all clear to show the colouring of each bird. It's lucky we can photograph through windows, that's how most of my shots are made too.

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  8. Wow, you captured some beautiful shots! I love the Orioles - I have two here at my home, but every time I try to take a picture they fly off :) Yours are just lovely!

    Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend.

    Hugs!

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  9. Lovely shots Nancy! I've never seen a tufted titmouse - I just checked Cornell Lab and I don't think they come as far north as Prince Edward island. Normally cardinals don't either but they've been spotted lately. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can get a picture of one. I think they're so pretty - especially in the winter!

    This is my first time in the Personal Photo Challenge - it's nice to visit so many interesting blogs. I'll be back!

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  10. lovely photos Nancy, I'm visiting from a personal photo challenge

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  11. Your bird photography is stunning. If I had to pick a favorite, I think it would be the white breasted nuthatch, followed by the cardinal. But they all are captured beautifully. Thanks so much for sharing. Thanks as well for adding my button to your page. ~ Abby

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  12. Hi Nancy! I hope you are enjoying your week so far :) I am writing to tell you that you are the winner of the goodie box from my 1 year blogiversary giveaway. I will need your mailing address so that I can get your gifts sent off to you so please email me at kekepania525@gmail.com.
    Congratulation and I hope you enjoy everything.

    Hugs,
    Stephanie

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  13. Hi Nancy! I hope you are enjoying your week so far :) I am writing to tell you that you are the winner of the goodie box from my 1 year blogiversary giveaway. I will need your mailing address so that I can get your gifts sent off to you so please email me at kekepania525@gmail.com.
    Congratulation and I hope you enjoy everything.

    Hugs,
    Stephanie

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate your time and hope you found a blessing at This Sweet Life!