House Finch, Haemorhous mexicanus

Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station

Hazel Green, Alabama

     I was out at the A&M Farm this morning at 7:30 hoping to see some activity, but much to my surprise there was not a lot moving until about 9:00.  Once things got going the Grass Hopper Sparrows, and Dickcissels were pouring their hearts out in song.  While the sparrows and dickcissels were singing, the few House Finches I saw were busy eating grass seeds.  I photographed this finch along the fence line at the east end of the farm.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/1000 second @ f/8

Pick of the Day

Least Tern, Sternula antillarum; Least Tern Colony; Gulfport, Mississippi

     On a hot June morning I spent the morning lying on the sand under a hide photographing when the male flew in and fed this day old chick.  Once the fish was down the gullet, the chick turned and ran to its mother and snuggled up under her wing.  A few seconds later the chick poked it head from under its mothers wing to give me this intimate portrait.  

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/400second @ f/20

Pic of the Day

Dickcissel, Spiza Americana;

Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station:

Hazel Green, AL.  USA

     Yesterday morning I took a drive out to Alabama A&M’s Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station just south of Hazel Green, Alabama to see if I could find some birds to photograph.  Fortunately there were lots of birds.  Dickcissels, pictured here, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Grasshopper Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks, Blue birds, and Tree Swallows were everywhere.  This was only my third trip to the research station, and my first early morning trip.  I was quite happy with the photos and will make another jaunt to this avian paradise very soon.  Hope you enjoy the photo.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, Exposure 1/1000^th second @ f/7.1