Today our trip was at Quabbin Reservoir which is about an hour away from me. We had to get up bright and early to be there by 7am but it was well worth it. The trip was led by Tom Pirro a fellow blogger who takes great photographs through his camera and binoculars! The result is digiscoping cheap and effective! He can also whistle tunes of the Eastern Screech Owl and Barred Owl which allowed us to get a lot of good birds close enough for view which is getting more difficult with the warblers arriving and the foliage on the trees.
My favorite bird of the day was hands down this gorgeous Merlin! Not really a lifer per say but I never listed it as I only got a brief glimpse of it at Plum Island a couple of weeks ago. It is on my list now though!! This bird is part of the falcon family and you all know my deep fondness of falcons.
Such a gorgeous bird that I could have gawked at all day!
A lousy photo of a Red-necked Grebe. LIFER!! Very nice bird but I do wish it would have gotten a little bit closer for a better look at it.
A photo of one of my favorite birds for the month of May which is the Blue-gray Gnatcather. Such an adorable little bird and a real treat to see again considering there are not that many of them here in Central Massachusetts.I also saw a lot of other birds including the Least Flycather. LIFER!! I think I have a photo of it in my collection but it is so lousy I have sent it to someone for verification. HA! Birding is getting tough now which is making photography even more challenging. Now I know what people mean by Warbler neck!
Anyhow, just a quick post. I am very tired which is rare for someone as hyper as me. Its time for me to relax a little and get ready for the crazy work week that awaits me.
Peace all and get out there and bird!
24 comments:
Another great group of photos. Hope you have a great week.
I'm stunned every time I visit your beautiful site! Incredible work, here! Nice, nice going!
peace~
Great birdies Kim! I am so glad you found a good group of birders!
Oh..I mentioned you in my blog today..you may need to correct me if what I said was wrong...
Have a nice work week.
Great shots Kim!! Now I wish I didn't give my Binoculars away..LOL
You should just about have worn out you bird books by now. You're ahead of me by 10 or 12 birds but still chilly here and migration is just starting. I'm just out for one new one and I'll be happy. Maybe it's time to switch to flowers or dragonflies now...lol
...you are a birding maniac and I love it! Your birding groups are very active--you're lucky. I'm slowly finding groups to bird with. Get some rest...
Sounds like a very fun day Kim!
I think I agree, I like the Merlin. I've been trying to get better with my knowledge of birds lately, but it's been slow going for me. With seeing all of your birds it is getting easier though.
Hi Kim. this is my first visit to your blog and it seems I was missing out on something by not stopping by before.
I do quite a lot of digibinning and it is definitely fun and easy. I am rather jealous of the Merlin!
(congrats on the 100, btw).
Dale
http://alpinebirds.blogspot.com
I have seen people take pictures like you did or show but I have never been successful at it.
I'm so glad you have such great birding trips! Thanks for taking us along.
wow..those are great through the binoculars. Will try that!
Hi Kallen,
Another day of great encounter for you. Yeh Sometime we tend to forget that taking bird pictures can be hard but it is indeed, especially with digiscopy!
Gnatcatcher again, excellent. I've yet to see a Merlin although they are about. Nice photos as well
I think you may have 200 birds on your list by June!! :-)
I especially like the merlins. Although the gnatcatchers are definitely cute little rascal. They wond sit still for me though.
At my old place, with so many trees, I heard the least flycatcher more than I saw it, and got to be very fond of its dry little "che-bek" following me everywhere. Never hear them here on the lake, and I miss them.
Congratulations on your lifer-and you went birding with Tom Pirro-cool!
Sounds like a really fun day! Love your merlin images.
The Binocular photos look interesting.
Great job!
Great captures Kim! I love the second Merlin shot. They are exciting to watch aren't they. Whenever I see one, I seem to just watch and watch and watch them some more. They are gorgeous!
Congrats on your ever expanding list. You go girl! Thanks for sharing them with all of us.
Great post!
It looks like I have a lot of reading to catch up on here.
Hi Kim, I have just started a new blog carnival "Digiscoping Today" where people can link in their photos/videos taken through a scope/binoculars/magnifying glass. all you need to do is add your name and link.
...and I would love you to post a link to your merlin photos - I am sure many people will enjoy them!
Happy birding
Dale
http://alpinebirds.blogspot.com
Kim,
I see Dale would like you to add one of your merlin images to his new Digiscoping carnival..I read on his carnival how you didn't think they were good enough..
I think they are just fine..lots of people keep photos with the vignetting..
I think if you want to make them look better..just crop the image and submit..
Just to get his carnival started.
I think the photos are cool myself.
Also ..wanted to thank you for joining the Birders who blog, Chirp and tweet group.
I know you blog and use facebook..but do you chirp or tweet?
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