Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The elusive bluebird, chapter 2

On Sunday afternoon, I changed sitting spots in the yard in order to concentrate on the bluebirds rather than the goldfinches. It’s difficult work, I tellya, sitting in the yard with my camera and the long lens. Some of you may remember the last time I tried to capture the elusive bluebird that has set up housekeeping in one of the houses along our fence line.

At times, I can accomplish much

I wasn’t very successful that time, getting not one single photo. Well, not one of the bluebird.


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This time, I got several, although I’ve come to the conclusion that I may need a better lens. I had to keep inching closer and closer to the bird house because the 70-300mm only goes so far, you know.


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Hello.

There were two bluebirds. This is the male.


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And this is his mate. She’s got some sort of insect in her mouth and it looks big and juicy.


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She looks like a ghost here.


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And this is her ghostly apparition.


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At one point when I had moved to about 20 feet away, they were both on the fence line at the same time.
You can see that the male has a bright green grub of some sort in his beak.

The photo is really lousy though. I need VR on my long lens.

VR is Vibration Reduction. And I don’t gots it on this one. Guess that’s why it was such a good price ~


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I love sitting in the backyard on a nice day and trying to capture bird shots with the camera.


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It was a feeding frenzy for them. The earth was soft from all the rain and if I hadn’t been there, they might have been more comfortable coming and going. And damn ~ those suckers really move fast, I tellya.


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I do think I need another lens.

: : :

Thanks for giving my photo a shout-out over at Pioneer Woman’s today. I was really surprised to have made finalist and I’m not saying that with false modesty. I’m saying it because there were several bird shots within the six groups and I didn’t think mine stood a chance. It’s a thrill to have made the finalist category.

Thanks for stopping by today. Until tomorrow, then . . .

123 Signature

PS ~ I feel a Giveaway coming on, don’t you?

36 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i recommend the Sigma DG 150-500 mm lens. my hubby gifted me with one a month or so ago and it has GREAT optical stabilization (and even auto focus!) but yikes! it's about what i paid for my first car... :)

Caroline said...

Gorgeous shots! I was super excited to see your photo on PW's site too! Whoot!! I could not come close to getting shots like these!

Jen at Cabin Fever said...

I am never surprised when your photos are chosen in PWs groups or as a finalist :)

And it sounds like you're trying to talk yourself into a new lens in this post. Just go buy one! You know you'll use it. Heck... you've at least got a portion of the purchase thanks to being a PW finalist!

beth said...

boy all that sitting really is tough....i'm starting to feel sorry for you :)

i love my 70-300 and with a pentax, the VR is in the camera, not the lens {i think} so i never have a blurry photos with it....

BUT NOW....dang texwis girl.....i want THAT lens !!!

Laura~peach~ said...

totally love giveaways LOL
and blue birds!

Anonymous said...

Kate I was so excited to see your photo become a finalist at PW! It's a fantastic shot and well deserved. These bluebirds are so beautiful...we don't get them here on the west coast so it's wonderful just to see the photographs!

Anonymous said...

good job on being a finalist! i will have to see if I can get some pics of the birds here in alberta to share with you....although i am not a photographer such as yourself!
Karen
karen_bremermann@yahoo.com

Gone Country said...

Love giveaways!...must be something in the air because several bloggers are doing it at the same time! One of these days I'll get up enough nerve to host a giveaway!

I have two lenses with IS (Image Stabilization) for Canon and they are awesome. Especially on the telephoto lens! I hope you're able to get a new lens soon!

Thanks for sharing the bluebird pics!

GailO said...

I am so so happy that you are a finalist over at PW!! Happy but not surprised since your photos are always great:)

Wonderful bluebird photos too...there is something about that bluebird of happiness thing because these sure made me happy!

Deb said...

well it's a hard job but someone has to do it...congrats on being a finalist...

Sallie @ Texas Cottage said...

Love the bluebird photos! Absolutely gorgeous.

Reena said...

I have yet to see a bluebird in my yard. *sigh*
I have VR on my Nikon 70-300. Thank goodness! But then, texwisgirl makes me wonder if I may want more!!! But then, don't we all want more lens!
Another congrats is due to you, my friend! woot woot woot

The Village Queen said...

Wonderful blue bird shots.

Christie - Fine Lines said...

I know I've said it before, but I sure wish we had colorful birds here where I live!! I felt like I was living their life through your photos. Thanks!

mrs mediocrity said...

Love these, I was doing exactly the same thing last Thursday, a male and a female were here checking out the birdhouse, I got a few shots, but I don't have VR either and none of them came out very well. Bluebirds are so shy!
I am secretly hoping they don't decide to nest, I love having them here, but I have seen my cat sitting on top of that birdhouse several times now...

wayne15575 said...

good lens or bad, that is still a wonderful series of captures. Thanks for sharing Kate.

Dawning Inspiration said...

The birds peeking out of the bird house are adorable! So cute!! Good luck with PW!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

They are my favorite bird and they are the darndest to capture!

Kathryn Dyche said...

I know exactly what it's like trying to get a good bird shot. A lot of patience is called for and your body starts cramping up from the awkward position you find youself in. Not to mention the squint eye you get from staring through the viewfinder for so long. Great captures.

Flea said...

Adore your bluebird shots. I've only ever seen a bluebird in real life a couple of times and last week was one of them, in the hills of North Carolina. Adorable creatures.

And congrats!!!

Flea said...

Adore your bluebird shots. I've only ever seen a bluebird in real life a couple of times and last week was one of them, in the hills of North Carolina. Adorable creatures.

And congrats!!!

Daryl said...

Love these shots ... if you get a longer lens, you'll need a tripod or a schlepper ..

Country Gal said...

Papa has the Sigma150-500 mm and it is to heavey for me to hold and I dont like using a tripod sometimes even Papa needs a tripod just for the lens lol I like the camera in hand when photographing my subjects. I have lots of action photos of birds and my Miggy on my blog . Would like to share on that photography blog how to go about that. Love your photos they are awesome.

Cindy said...

I came across your blog this morning and was so happy to see your bluebird pictures! I have five little babies in my bluebird nest right now. I have yet been able to catch the parents coming or going with my camera.
I really enjoy your blog and look forward to reading more!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on being a finalist at Pioneer Woman!!! How thrilling and what a great shot too :)

You posted a comment on my picture when I was chosen in one of her categories (not as a finalist, just one of the pics) and it thrilled me cause I lurk on your site and "lurve" your photo's :)

Again, well done and congrats!

KatyeJr2

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

I finally broke down and got a 400mm with IS (Image stabilization in Canon terms). Love it. Great pics, Kate! And guess what? I think we have a bluebird family for the first time ever this year! It has been so wet I haven't had a chance to get out there and capture them yet!

The JR said...

We have a nesting pair, but I don't have any good photos of them.

Luv your's.

Debra said...

Congrats on being a finalist in PW's photo assignment. Woo hoo!!! I have always loved your photography, particularly bird subjects and (natch) George. Your lovely red cardinal firgures prominently in our bedroom. It will forever be a favorite photo of yours.

Bluebird49 said...

My mother had a thing for bluebirds...couldn't keep live ones, so she bought glass ones. So I have a thing for them, too. Your photos really came out so nicely--love the one with the little ghostly wings.

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

~~~ ALWAYS LOVE my visit here...

lovely shots....we don't get those birds here...they are so beautiful...

congratulations on the contest at PW.....nice going.

happy to stop by for a visit today
give George a hug

kary and teddy
xxxx

Unknown said...

love.
and I'd be your schlepper.
in awe , always.

Mary said...

Oh Kate, these are marvelous! I don't think I would have the patience to sit and wait, unless I had a book with me, in which case I'd probably miss the birds altogether... :)
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Wow wow and even more wow! Such magical shots - a real bluebird of joy!

Lili said...

You still take pictures like nobody's business with your current lens Kate! Those bluebirds are gorgeous. xo ~Lili

Char said...

one of the reasons i don't like my long lens either - you can't dial down for the faster speeds and my hands shake too much. still i adore blue birds

Merisi said...

Your beautiful pictures remind me how much I miss bluebirds!

It is very difficult to get sharp pictures with a 300mm lens, even with VR. Have you tried to put the camera on a tripod (or a step ladder or the like) and shoot with remote release? Setting the ISO at 400 and fast shutter speed will also help.