Recent Pix

Been busy but here are a few pictures that I captured this past weekend. 
 
 Saw a number of Pileated Woodpeckers working this tree.  The tree must be full of insects.

 Closest I've been to an eagle in the lower 48. 

 A little overexposed but I love the details on the feathers of this crow.

Updated Photo Dump

More recent shots.  I've been slowly getting used to my new lens and what it can do as well as not do. 

 Blue bird

 Snow on Cat o nine tail

Female Kestrel

Barred Owl playing hide n seek, but fortunately for me, not very well. 

Photo Dump

 Been busy of late so here are a number of pictures from the last few weeks that I just haven't had time to put up.

 

 Blue Bird

 Horned Lark using any wind break it can find

Female Northern Harrier

 Golden Finch

 Bambi's mom

 Female Common Golden Eye

 On the prowl

Waiting for something

Short Eared Owl

New Glass Update

So I think I have my focus issues resolved.  Got these today while out in the car for a little drive. 

Male Common Golden Eye,  stunning subtle coloration in the head, hard to capture.

 Female Red Breasted Merganser

 Male Northern Harrier or Marsh Hawk.  Hunting low over the meadow in search of prey.

Kestrel

Ran into this adult female Kestrel on the way to work the other day. Now to get a close up of the male.

New Glass

I recently upgraded my long lens (300mm), buying a newer model with faster autofocus.  One of the issues using long telephoto lens is your technique and focus.  I had to work through some of this with my old lens and the new one is finicky so far.  I made the mistake of not calibrating the lens thoroughly before heading out.  Of course Murphy's Law comes into play as I some really good opportunities to get pictures of some birds including this eagle and more harriers.  This eagle shot came out pretty well, but many of the others didn't come out well as I would have expected.  Need to spend more time working out the kinks and re-calibrating the new lens with my camera. Let the fun continue.

Northern Harrier

Got out this am for a little birding and got some nice shots of a female Northern Harrier flying while is scoured the field for a mouse which eventually got.  I've always enjoyed watching these hawks hunt.