Red-winged Blackbird
Jun 28, 2016 14:19:48 #
I caught a glimpse of this bird out of the corner of my eye and pointed the lens toward it. Had time to snap two quick shots before he was gone...
Jun 29, 2016 09:04:58 #
Nice shots! We have them around frequently but I've never been able to get a good shot of one in flight that shows off the red wing stripe as well as yours.
Jun 29, 2016 12:07:09 #
Great pics, especially No. 2. We have them all over our yard in Nashville. That red really pops in flight!
Jun 29, 2016 12:20:08 #
JCam wrote:
Nice shots! We have them around frequently but I've never been able to get a good shot of one in flight that shows off the red wing stripe as well as yours.
Thank you for your response. They're not very good photo's. I was out for a motorcycle ride with the wife on Sunday and we were passing through Middle Creek Wildlife Management area in northern Lancaster County PA and I saw a GB Heron standing by the lake. We stopped and I got out my D7200 with Sigma 150-600C to snap a photo of the Heron. Across the road from the lake's edge I noticed a couple red dots a few hundred feet away in the plants along a pond. I quickly pointed the camera toward the red dots and snapped the first shot. Before I had a chance to check settings the bird started to take off so I snapped the second shot. The camera was set for photographing a stationary Heron soaking up some sun. I'm lucky I got the RWBB at all.
Jun 29, 2016 12:27:37 #
donolea wrote:
Great pics, especially No. 2. We have them all over our yard in Nashville. That red really pops in flight!
Thank you. The last couple years there seems to be an over abundance of RWBB'S in this part of the country. Every spot I go to take photos that's near any water or marshy areas has large populations of them. I've seen virtually hundreds of them at Middle Creek WMA in one day. I remember a few years ago when it was almost a treat to see the bright red and yellow patches on their wings. Now they're as common as Starlings and Mourning Doves.
Jun 29, 2016 13:06:09 #
rmorrison1116 wrote:
Thank you. The last couple years there seems to be an over abundance of RWBB'S in this part of the country. Every spot I go to take photos that's near any water or marshy areas has large populations of them. I've seen virtually hundreds of them at Middle Creek WMA in one day. I remember a few years ago when it was almost a treat to see the bright red and yellow patches on their wings. Now they're as common as Starlings and Mourning Doves.
Our Starlings still outnumber the RWBB's down here.
Jun 29, 2016 16:21:42 #
donolea wrote:
Our Starlings still outnumber the RWBB's down here.
I believe that. I've been watching, studying, stalking and photographing birds for a while. I don't consider myself a birder, I don't know enough about all the different species, but I do consider myself an amateur ornithologist.
In the past few years I've noticed a population increase in certain species. Starlings are probably at the top of the list. I'm pretty sure that's due to some relatively mild winters and an increase in their primary food source, lawn grubs, also the result of milder winters. Probably has a lot to do with the RWBB'S population increase also since they've been known to enjoy scrumptious lawn grubs from time to time.
Number two is the Turkey Vulture. I don't recall ever seeing as many Turkey Vultures as there are now. Also, there's been a large influx of Black Vultures into this area. Historically, we are just to the north of their range although not uncommon for them to come around in the summer months, but recently they've been showing up in much larger numbers and staying year round.
Jun 29, 2016 16:50:47 #
We do have our share of grubs in middle TN as well as turkey vultures. The Starlings enjoy our massive garden and plentiful feeders and baths.
Jun 29, 2016 23:15:45 #
Jun 30, 2016 00:04:05 #
sailorsmom wrote:
Beautiful shots, rmorrison1116!
Thank you, I appreciate your reply.
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