As of late I have taken more interest in birding, or rather photographing birds more often. With the purchase of the 70-300mm Nikkor lens it's really caused me to seek out birds more often than what I used to. So I figured I'd share some of the birds I've come across since the purchase of the lens, mostly common stuff from a local Environmental Preserve, that has been recently converted from an empty lot 3 years or so ago, and it's mostly catered towards birds. There are a few from different areas like ENP and such. Hope y'all enjoy.
Not taken with the 70-300mm, as this was from before I purchased it, but I thought it was a really nice photo. I believe the birds to be crows. They can be seen in this area somewhat regularly as sunset, seemingly roosting.
Crows roosting. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
The same day I purchased the lens from my work, I came home and was greeted by this male Painted bunting. He and a female had been hanging around the area for a week or so, and continued to do so until their wintering time here was up. I already posted him here before so I will just stick to one photo of him.
Painted bunting. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
His lady friend.
Female painted bunting. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Screech owl. This little guy use to be my nightly companion at my previous residence. He would accompany me as I would walk around in the yard photographing any critters that might be encountered.
Screech owl. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Great blue heron from ENP.
Great blue heron. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Osprey in it's nest.
Young osprey in nest. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Laughing gulls from the docks at Flamingo.
Laughing gulls. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Little blue heron from Flamingo.
Little blue heron. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Red-shouldered hawk from along the main road.
Red-shouldered hawk. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Came across this kestrel back home one night while shining for snakes in the structure he was sleeping in.
American kestrel. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
A nice uncropped portrait of an osprey.
Osprey. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Another osprey from more recent, from the trail at Flamingo. He was being harassed by a vulture, who eventually convinced the young osprey to give up his well earned speckled trout meal.
DSC_2583 by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Osprey with speckled trout. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Osprey with speckled trout. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Red-shouldered hawk from Kissimmee Praire.
Red-shouldered hawk. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Crested caracara from the same area.
Crested caracara. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Same bird, he was initially come across in this manner, his meal there was a recently hit Eastern diamondback.
Crested caracara. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
What I believe are two Caspian terns. From ENP.
Caspian tern. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Blue-winged teal. ENP.
Blue-winged teal. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
From back home, I was fishing a canal when this limpkin and her chicks swam by to get around me.
Limpkin with chicks. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Finally managed to get photos of my favorite owl, the barn owl.
Barn owl. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Barn owl. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
While fishing one afternoon on my usual road for fishing, I saw these guys hanging out together. Roseate spoonbill and a wood stork.
Roseate spoonbill with a wood stork. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
From the Environmental area I spend time in frequently as of late, this trio of fishers were hanging out on the same boardwalk.
Trio of fishers. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Common moorehens are very common in this area.
Common moorehen. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Common moorehen. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
And occasionally so are Purple Gallinules.
Purple gallinule. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
The preserve has a 70 foot observation tower that is all the way in the very back of the preserve.
Observation tower at Wellington Environmental Preserve. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Tri-colored heron.
Tri-colored heron. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Tri-colored heron. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Barred owls are commonly encountered in a WMA I spend a lot of time in.
Barred owl. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Just the other morning I was out fishing and between fishing spots I came across a group of roseate spoonbills in a group of wood storks. Sadly I wasn't able to get the shots I had hoped for, before I could get across the road, some dumb blonde lady scared them off as she was trying to play photographer with her iPhone. I did get these photos though.
Roseate spoonbills and wood storks. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Roseat spoonbill. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Roseate spoonbill. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Roseate spoonbills. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
So after fishing died down I went into the Preserve hoping the spoonbills made their way there. No such luck.
Did see a lot of what I presume to be mottled ducks. There is even a gallinule in the first photo.
Mottled ducks. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Mottled ducks. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Had this trio of glossy ibis fly over.
Trio of glossy ibis. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Loggerhead shrikes are common all along this road and in the Preserve.
Loggerhead shrike. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Loggerhead shrike. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Loggerhead shrike. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Blue jays are equally common in the morning in the Preserve.
Blue jay. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Blue jay. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
On the way home that same morning there were a few of these exotic noisy little buggers hanging out on the power line. Finally got some decent photos of them. Monk parakeets, or as usually referred to, quakers.
Monk parakeet. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
Monk parakeet. by Joshua W. Young, on Flickr
That's it for now, there will be more in the future, as my interest has significantly grown, and I find myself spending more time birding lately than herping, mainly since herping hasn't been all that great for me lately. Well I hope y'all enjoyed. Thanks for looking.
Birder in the making.
Moderator: Scott Waters
- Josh Young
- Posts: 262
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:59 pm
- Location: Wakulla County, Florida
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Re: Birder in the making.
You've got some great shots!!!
Love the spooner in flight !
Love the spooner in flight !
Re: Birder in the making.
Beautiful pictures.
About the owl pictures, I assume you are using flash. Do you worry about the bird not being able to see to hunt after the flash, for a while? How close are you that the flash is actually effective?
About the owl pictures, I assume you are using flash. Do you worry about the bird not being able to see to hunt after the flash, for a while? How close are you that the flash is actually effective?
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- Posts: 64
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Re: Birder in the making.
I use flashes on Owls without worry, even when used with a better beamer to extend its range. The duration of light is short, and not bright enough to effectively harm the bird unless you distracted it while it was in process of something.BethH wrote:Beautiful pictures.
About the owl pictures, I assume you are using flash. Do you worry about the bird not being able to see to hunt after the flash, for a while? How close are you that the flash is actually effective?
Re: Birder in the making.
reptileexperts wrote:I use flashes on Owls without worry, even when used with a better beamer to extend its range. The duration of light is short, and not bright enough to effectively harm the bird unless you distracted it while it was in process of something.BethH wrote:Beautiful pictures.
About the owl pictures, I assume you are using flash. Do you worry about the bird not being able to see to hunt after the flash, for a while? How close are you that the flash is actually effective?
Nice.
I really like the picture of the curious blue jay.
- MattSullivan
- Posts: 419
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- Location: New Jersey
Re: Birder in the making.
that red screech owl is awesome