New Camera Body

Thursday my new camera body arrived - Canon 7D Mark II (upgrading from the 7D).

Miserable gray weather, so trying it out has been limited to the back porch. But so far I am pleased.

20.2MegaPixel (versus 18MP) and a better processor means I can crop without loosing resolution. Better sensor means I can shoot at higher ISO without noise. Most pictures here were taken at 1600 ISO - previously I rarely went above 800 and preferred 400.

Lighting and weather today have been dreary, but the camera has responded well.

Many features still to work with, but the spot focus option and spot metering is great for birds which often hide in the leaves. Several of the pictures here would not have been possible with my previous camera. Second 2 photos below cropped about 25% of original.

Gray Catbird

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Northern Cardinal (fledgling)

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

 Spot focusing makes possible a sharp image even though it is partially obscured by foliage.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

In the dreary light, the camera is still able to capture detail of this fledgling as it begs to be fed ...

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (fledgling)

Fledgling Rose-breasted have one of the sweetest begging calls of any bird - not at all harsh, or noisy - the opposite extreme of the very loud and noisy Blue Jays.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak fledgling fed by its father.

Daughter Downy wanted dad to keep feeding her, but he refused, and eventually she figured out that she could get the food for herself ...

Downy Woodpecker (adult male) with fledgling female

Another spot focusing example ...

Northern Cardinal (fledgling female)

And finally ... just because there are so many of these creatures which do not understand "bird feeder."

Eastern Chipmunk

BTW, lens used is Canon 100-400 L. Most photos are 400mm focal length.

Ooops! But Still Good Birding

Ooops! I forgot to bring the feeders in two nights ago, and the bear took down the suet and destroyed the tube feeder. Blame it on the little gray cells getting older and forgetful.

The birds noticed the absence and were feeding in different places, but I am confident getting every bit as much seed as before, while the squirrels perhaps got less.

Highlight of the day was the Indigo Bunting. Not a new yard bird, but one that does not visit the yard or feeders every year. This year he has been here and what a treat! ...

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting

Also, a rare treat was the female Baltimore Oriole which came briefly to the (replacement) suet feeder. Only once several years ago have I succeeded in attracting the orioles to the feeders. BTW, the oranges in the previous photo were put out in hopes they would draw the oriole. No luck there. The oriole did not cooperate on photos, so this is the only documentation I have ...

Baltimore Oriole (female)

With the absence of the tube feeder in the yard, the grosbeaks came to the window feeder right by the kitchen table - up close and personal with these gorgeous, if voracious, birds ...

Evening Grosbeak

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (female)

And while I am on the grosbeaks, this is the first time I have seen a Rose-breasted Grosbeak visit the suet feeder ... just visible on the back side of the feeder ...

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Finally ... just because ... at least two pair of Gray Catbirds have been in the yard and visiting the suet feeder, along with Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, represented by the Downy below ...

Gray Catbird

Downy Woodpecker

Heinz NRW

I had no idea it has been so long since my last post, but chalk that up to the busyness of September and October.

I have begun my late Fall sojourn in Philadelphia. First trip was today to Heinz NRW. A few images ...

In one area, I had 12 Great Blue Herons in the glass, but at a distance. This one was foraging closer to the trail.

Great Blue Heron

Downy Woodpecker

I know some folk in Vermont that would love to happen upon a sight like this in mid-November. He just stood still, studying me as I ogled back at him.

White Tailed Deer - buck

A few butterflies and dragonflies were still about. This Variegated Fritillary was close at hand.

Variegated Fritillary

Gray Catbird

 The Peregrine Falcon attracted a lot attention from birders and crows. One crow stood guard, loudly telling the entire neighborhood that the falcon was nearby and stay on the alert.

Peregrine Falcon

Good Birding!!

A Busy Day in the Yard

This afternoon alternated between heavy showers and golden sunshine, and the yard was as busy as ever. At least two dozen species (maybe three dozen) nest in our immediate neighborhood, and most of those make regular visits to our bird feeders. I sat on the back porch and watched the show! Hardly a pause in the activity ... a captivating way to spend an afternoon.

Here is just a sample ...

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Rose-breasted Grosbeak - immature male

Mourning Dove

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Evening Grosbeak

Northern Cardinal

Purple Finch

 

American Goldfinch

Gray Catbird

White-breasted Nuthatch waits its turn - Evening Grosbeak (female)

It is a BIRD Feeder!! What do you not understand about BIRD FEEDER?

Good Birding !!

Birding Heinz NWR

We are using Philly for a birding base for a few days. Began yesterday at Heinz NWR at Tinicum.

Highlight for me was the Bay-breasted Warbler which I have not seen for several years as it heads north to the boreal forest for breeding.

The bird was working high in the trees, so the photo is at best documentary ...

Bay-breasted Warbler

Of special interest was watching a Yellow Warbler visiting a local home building center, in this case an oriole nest. Nest seems in good order, as though it may be this year's nest. On other hand, no landlord appeared to chase off the materials gatherer, so perhaps the nest survived from last year ...

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Another highlight was to see this Baltimore Oriole shopping at his local Whole Foods market.

Baltimore Oriole and webworm nest

Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole

A few additional photos, beginning with Gray Catbird which was everywhere!

Gray Catbird

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

American Redstart

American Redstart

Good Birding!!

More from Cape May

This Brown Thrasher posed beautifully for me (Higbee Beach WMA), then added to his esteem when he flew as I was in mid-burst ...

Brown Thrasher

Late October migrants included (as expected) Northern Flicker, Gray Catbird, and Hermit Thrush in considerable numbers ...

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)

Gray Catbird

Hermit Thrush

The most common migrant was the Yellow-rumped Warbler ...

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)

Good Birding!!