A few birds

[jbird]

Had a truckload of jobsite waste to go to the dump....which is close to a good bird area, so I brought the Nikon.

Ive been chasing a good shot of an American Kestrel for a while. This ones decent!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/kestrel2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_1123a.jpg

I was stalking a white tailed kite that Ive unsuccessfully photographed 4-5 times now. I know where a pair hangs out and they are VERY spooky. As I was sneaking into possition, this Harrier flew by.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/kite121a.jpg

I couldnt believe the Kite was letting me approach. I circled around to get the sun in a workable angle. The bird usually starts to coo when Im too close...No coo. I circled around til I had the perfect backdrop. Yeah Baby!! Got to within 75'.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/kite110b.jpg


A northern flicker shiverring in the morning frost.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/kite051.jpg

This is one of my favorite pics. This sparrow was perched on this frosty bush. I snapped the shutter right as he lifted off. The cool thing is how the vibration of the liftoff jolted the frost loose on the branch to the left.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/kite071.jpg

[k.hanley]

JBird it paid off carrying the camera in your car. Fun shots to see. You nailed the timing. Don't ya just love the amazing variety of plummage! The cold environment adds another special element to the images. Thanks for sharing the pics.
Cheers, Ken

[Jgoding]

Nice pics....reminds of when I was pheasant hunting an olive orchard one day and a little hawk or falcon flew straight at us and landed on my head.... I held really still for a few seconds but I guess the hawk liked it's soft perch as it wasn't going anywhere so I moved my gun a little and I guess the bird finally realized I wasn't a tree and took off.

[Scott V]

Awesome pics jbird, I use to have a family of white tailed Kites that lived in a tree in front of my office last year. I was amazed that they were in Rancho and that they would let me walk right up to them. If they come back I will take some pictures.

[jbird]

Nice pics....reminds of when I was pheasant hunting an olive orchard one day and a little hawk or falcon flew straight at us and landed on my head.... I held really still for a few seconds but I guess the hawk liked it's soft perch as it wasn't going anywhere so I moved my gun a little and I guess the bird finally realized I wasn't a tree and took off.

WHAT?!?!?!

[jbird]

Awesome pics jbird, I use to have a family of white tailed Kites that lived in a tree in front of my office last year. I was amazed that they were in Rancho and that they would let me walk right up to them. If they come back I will take some pictures.

Theyre interesting birds. These two live in a Fowl hunting tract so they do not tollerate close encounters with humans. Prior to this shot, I never got closer than 100 yrds. Which of coarse is just the kind of challange I like.

[jbird]

JBird it paid off carrying the camera in your car. Fun shots to see. You nailed the timing. Don't ya just love the amazing variety of plummage! The cold environment adds another special element to the images. Thanks for sharing the pics.
Cheers, Ken



Thanks Ken!!

[Larry S]

jbird:
Echo all of the above. Kiene members are fortunate to have so many great
posters.
Stay warm,
Larry S
San Diego

[jbird]

Thanks for looking and commenting guys.

I was setting up some horses on my side yard to stain some trim and looked up in the birch tree in my back yard. Cool! A sharpshinned hawk. He was just hanging out watching the birds fly by. After letting me shoot him for about 5 minutes, he took off in pursuit of a pair of mourning doves.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_1470a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_1447a.jpg