Pic of the Day

Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Ohio
(taken during "The Biggest Week in American Birding")

     Head shot of another Turmpeter Swan at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in Ohio.  This bird was standing alongside the swan in the previous post was keeping an eye on the activity at the marsh.  The red stains on the head and neck is from digging in the marshes muddy bottom for food.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4 with 1.4 teleconverter, 1/320 second @ f/14.

Pic of the Day

Philadelphia Vireo, Vireo gilvus: Magee Marsh, Ohio

     While Warbling Vireos were very numerous at Magee Marsh this year, I only saw a few Philadelphia Vireos during my time at the marsh.  The Philadelphia Vireo looks similar to the Warbling Vireo (see earlier post below) but can be separated from the Philadelphia by the a dark eye line that extends through the lores, and yellow wash at the center of the throat and breast.  Also, their song is quite similar to the Red-eyed Vireo.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/800 second @ f/8

Pic of the Day

 Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus; Magee Marsh, Ohio

Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus; Magee Marsh, Ohio

     A few days after shooting the warblers in the two previous posts I was back at the same location to shoot more birds .  A number of Warbling Vireos were flitting around the area.  Finally one alighted on a branch with a nice background.  I shot a number of images with the vireo on the branch as it moved around.  These two show both the front and back of the bird.  I wish all the shots I took at Magee had these nice backgrounds.

Both images:  Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/640 second @ f8

Pic of a Day

Yellow Warbler, Setophaga petechia:  Magee Marsh, Ohio

     This is another of my favorite shots at Magee Marsh this past week.  Again, it is not so much the bird as it is the background that I like.  This image was shot in almost the same spot as the previous post.

     “Petechia,” in the Latin name refers to the red streaking on the breast.  Petechia, defined by the Mayo Clinic is “pinpoint, round spots that appear on the skin as a result of bleeding.
     The Yellow Warbler is most likely, the most abundant warbler in the Americas.  It breeds over most of North America, and was by far the most abundant warbler at Magee Marsh.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/640 @ f/8

Pic of the Day

Wilson's Warbler, Cardellina pusilla:  Magee Marsh, Ohio

at "Biggest Week in American Birding"

     I have had a wonderful time at Magee Marsh this week.  While the birds have not been the best I have seen, I had two great days of shooting.  This little Wilson’s warbler was one of my favorite shots.  It is difficult to get clean backgrounds at Magee, but I positioned my self for a green foliage background that blurred out of focus just perfectly for this shot.  I hoped that the Wilson’s would alight in the right place, and it did.  Wish all the shots from this week had a nice background like this.  Backgrounds can make or break an image!

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/200 second @ f/8

Pic of the Day

Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus: Ottawa NWR, Ohio

Taken during "The Biggest Week in American Birding."

Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus: Ottawa NWR, Ohio

Singing it warbling song.

     Another bird I photographed during "The Biggest Week in American Birding."  This Warbling Vireo was singing his heart out when I snapped this shot.  I found this bird at Turtle Creek, part of the Ottawa NWR on the south shore of Lake Erie.  Warbling Vireos have beautiful songs and this little guy was giving it his all.  I just love shooting warblers, vireos and thrushes and the migrant trap is one of the best places to get up close and personal with the birds.

Click this link to here the Warbling Vireo: http://soundbible.com/1846-Warbling-Vireo.html

Top: Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4 with 20mm of extension tubes, 1/640 @ f/7.1
Bottom: Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4 with 20mm of extension tubes, 1/500 @ f/7.1