I noticed that, hope to get some better shots tomorrow, will be golfing. The adults have been taking off when I approach on foot. I think they are used to the golf carts so maybe better luck tomorrow.

thank you all for your comments, the owlet has been on the move from tree to tree. both parents are hanging out also. hope to get more pic's soon.

I spotted the mama owl while playing golf on a local golf course in pueblo west. I had my D7000 in my car, so went back after my round and took a few shots. Didn't notice the owlet until I returned to take these pictures.

Mama owl about 15 feet from the owlet


owlet

I also believe cottonwood, they are usually growing near or next to water, streams, rivers.

Great owl shots John, I also hike in the park, live just off the turkey creek drainage and hike to the turkey creek bridge quite often. It is great see all the wildlife in the park. how do you like your 50-500mm sigma ? I've been considering the 150-500mm sigma, did you consider that lens before buying the 50-500mm ?

On some of the nikkor lens there is a normal/active switch below the VR on/off switch. If you want to use VR on I would then use the active option with the normal/active switch. Nikon says to use this when you are in a moving car. The spot metering (focus) is great if you can pan and keep that spot on that bird. I am new to this so I use the middle of the three settings for metering. I will use spot on turkey's, unless they are flying. I've had problems getting flying hawks in focus, and those are the most important shots for me.

A1 - page 208 d7000 manual, AF-C release priority using for moving subjects (BIF). By using the camera will adjust focus as long as you have the shuttle pressed halfway, or all the way taking pictures. Using the release priority insures that the camera will take pictures while you have the shuttle pressed all the way down, even if the camera does not think the subject is in focus. I like to see if I get it right or wrong, or close. A1 in focus priority the camera will only take pictures when it thinks the subject is in focus.
A3 - focus lock-on (209). The way I understand this is if you are panning and taking pictures of BIF and any other subject (other bird, tree, or whatever) comes in-between the camera and your original subject, the camera will not re-focus when only briefly obscured. Mainly using this setting based on what I read in the manual, have not tried to duplicate the conditions that the manual explains how this focus feature works.

hope this helps.

Forgot to add - when you are ready to shot -
switch to your U1 or U2 mode
switch the release mode dial to CL
and be sure to turn-off your VR on your lens if you have one.
VR ON - will confuse your auto focus in camera due to all the movement of panning the bird you are taking the picture of.
again - good luck

Here are the settings I use for BIF

Custom Settings
A1 - AF-C priority selection release
A3 - Focus tracking with lock-on - AF3 normal
A5 - focus point wrap-around ON
A6 - number of focus points - 11

D6 - CL mode shooting speed - 5
D7 - Max continuous release - 100

Shooting Menu
picture control - SD
Active D-lighting - Auto
ISO sensitivity settings
ISO sensitivity - 100
Auto ISO sensitivity control - ON
maximum sensitivity - 800
minimum shutter speed - 800

Shut in MODE-S
shutter speed - 2000

Have used these setting when taking pictures of
'canada geese landing' which I posted in BIF/BOW UHH area.

I am learning like you, read all I can from UHH members, then the manual. Try different setting that I feel relate to what I am trying to accomplish. Good luck.

All great pictures, love the cows and pikes peak. I take cow pictures whenever I can, they always want to look at you and checkout what what you're doing.

Snow gone, suns been out, few more quail

same juniper from this am with snow different bird


this one's a little plump


The whole family with new little ones

rude awakening, 3" of new snow this morning

looking for food

on a local golf course called desert hawk, there is a red tail hawk nest in a large cottonwood also, waiting for the chic's to hatch.

a few from my area

owl and young one


robins


scaled quail

Great pictures of the doves, love the stump in that bird bath. I've been using the WI-FI adaptor with my d7100 to my smart phone. Have camera on tripod focused on a bird bath, 18-300mm. take picture and downloads back to phone in less than a minute, doesn't phase the birds at all.