Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: Bob_B on May 16, 2015, 08:59:59 am

Title: Gray Catbird
Post by: Bob_B on May 16, 2015, 08:59:59 am: One of the gray catbirds that summers in my yard. I know this fellow by his leg bands. He's come back to my yard for the last three years, where he attracts a mate and builds a nest in a fragrant olive bush near my garage. He's not at all shy and can be approached to within a few feet. I always know summer has arrived when he shows up. C&C welcomed. Thanks for viewing.

Bob
Title: Re: Gray Catbird
Post by: Rainer SLP on May 16, 2015, 11:17:05 am: +1

Like it ;)
Title: Re: Gray Catbird
Post by: Kevin Gallagher on May 16, 2015, 12:18:41 pm: You've gotten some good detail in the feathers Bob, what equipment did you use?

Kevin in CT
Title: Re: Gray Catbird
Post by: thierrylegros396 on May 16, 2015, 12:38:52 pm: Quote from: Kevin Gallagher on May 16, 2015, 12:18:41 pm
You've gotten some good detail in the feathers Bob, what equipment did you use?

Kevin in CT

+1

What was the lens mounted on your 7D ?

Thierry
Title: Re: Gray Catbird
Post by: polaris-14 on May 16, 2015, 01:03:16 pm: The detail on the feather is amazing, Bob. I have no knowledge on birding whatsoever, but what does the leg band mean?
Title: Re: Gray Catbird
Post by: Bob_B on May 16, 2015, 01:10:06 pm: Quote from: Kevin Gallagher on May 16, 2015, 12:18:41 pm
You've gotten some good detail in the feathers Bob, what equipment did you use?

Kevin in CT

Thanks Kevin. I used a Canon 7D, Canon EF 70-200mm lens, 1/400 @ f/4.5, ISO 400. Post done in LR.
Title: Re: Gray Catbird
Post by: Bob_B on May 16, 2015, 01:11:27 pm: Quote from: thierrylegros396 on May 16, 2015, 12:38:52 pm
+1

What was the lens mounted on your 7D ?

Thierry

Hi Thierry: Canon EF 70-200mm (version 1). It is a pretty sharp lens (for a zoom).
Title: Re: Gray Catbird
Post by: Bob_B on May 16, 2015, 01:16:04 pm: Quote from: polaris-14 on May 16, 2015, 01:03:16 pm
The detail on the feather is amazing, Bob. I have no knowledge on birding whatsoever, but what does the leg band mean?

I don't truly know, but guess those bands are part of the USGS bird banding program (https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/) out of the Patuxent Wildlife Center. If you go to that link, it provides a form for sitings. I haven't been able to get the full set of numbers on the left leg band, as only part of them are visible in the photos I took. If you zoom in, you might be able to make out "...242... and ...155..." on the metal leg band on the bird's left leg.
Title: Re: Gray Catbird
Post by: maddogmurph on May 22, 2015, 01:49:02 pm: The story line makes this fun. Also it says something about how we study so much that is still unknown about nature and the world around us. It could easily be an editorial for global warming with type across the picture along the lines of, "How much do we really know about the world around us?"
Title: Re: Gray Catbird
Post by: Bob_B on May 22, 2015, 04:33:31 pm: Amen brother maddogmurph. You're preaching to the choir. Part of the joy of photography is how it sheds new light on previously unnoticed aspects of nature.
Title: Re: Gray Catbird
Post by: NancyP on May 22, 2015, 05:44:17 pm: Nice portrait. It is unusual to be able to get the whole band number on a live bird by photography.