DSC_3534-Cedar Waxwing
Jul, 2016Views
584
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Awards
People's Choice in Wild Songbirds Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
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Top 20 rankTop 30 rank week 2
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Behind The Lens
Location
This area is my hotspot directly across the street from my residence, Boomer Lake Park in Stillwater, OK. Last year we had a wonderful irruption of these birds, as is usual many years. A large group was following me around throughout my trek in the spring. When I caught them the last time on the way back home, I saw this beauty in a tree where I was in the right spot at the right time. Voila!Time
This was at approximately 10 a.m. My mornings start when the light just clears the horizon. I walk a good three miles each way to catch the best light of the day, as well as both the late and early feeders, as well as the birds that I didn't find the first time.Lighting
The best light in this area is in the morning on the east side of the lake. I don't have a high-dollar lens, so I push it to take full advantage. Morning light is the brightest, yet it is the most advantageous for showing the highlights in colors.Equipment
I have a Nikon D7100 with a Sigma 150-500 mm 5-6.3 APO HSM on a manfrotto 290 tripod, all old equipment by today's standards.Inspiration
I am one of the fortunate. Birds tend to gravitate toward me and where they lead, I will follow. This Cedar Waxwing, literally, posed for me.Editing
I am not a processor, all I generally do is crop my photos.In my camera bag
I like an extra battery if I will be out all day and once in a while an extra memory card that is top quality. As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for and a good Lexor or Sandisk is worth its weight in gold.Feedback
Rely on your patience and get to know your subjects, as they will not fear you. Move slowly and deliberately. If you make the American Robin whinny, every other songbird will flee from the area. I know how to pish, which should never be done in the winter, as the birds need all their energy to stay warm on extremely cold days. If you allow your birds to be comfortable in your presence, they will stay and give you the best shows that you have ever seen in natural surroundings. You can even set up your yard with water features, inconspicuous feeding areas and have plenty of trees, bushes, and rock and brush piles for easy getaways if raptors should show up.
