A Productive Sunday Hike

[Loupey]

I lasted only 1 1/2 hours today in temps that never reached double digits. Good thing was, hardly anyone else was out. Oh, the first one of the Red-Bellied Woodpecker is from my backyard just before I headed out.

All these with 300mm + 2x TC. Aperture between 9.5 and 11, shutter speeds between 1/180 and 1/350.

Had to put one in of the "uglies" (starlings ). Saw 5~6 different Red-Tailed Hawks this afternoon. I could only sneak up on two of them - although I doubt that I truly snuck up on them One did snatch something in the field and flew off with it. I figured I would see it again but it flew back to a nearby perch still with the prey. By the time I got close to it again, it either dropped it or finished it and flew off again, sans prey.

Thanks for looking.

[Old Timer]

Productive indeed. Wonderful images even the uglies are pretty. I see you have cardinals up your way too. Nice work as always.

[Copy_Kot]

All of them look great! I really like the hawks and the row of starlings.

[AmberC]

Wow.. I really like the second one and the last one a lot! Great captures!! I need to make the hubby stay home with the kiddos one weekend and go out lol I usually have them and they scare away any potential shots

[Knight]

Quite the outing there Loupey, all are superb Captures . I havent seen any Cardinals my way this year but im still hoping

[Loupey]

OT: thanks! I normally don't even see starlings even if they're right in front of me (sparrows too for that matter). But when the pickings are slim, I'll take whatever I can find. Glad I did too.

Copy: wow I figured the starlings would just get a chuckle. Gotta remember to keep my mind open more often thanks

Amber: Everyone deserves an outing every once in a while. Now we'll all be expecting to see your results next week.

Knight: thanks for looking. You may not have cardinals but I see that you posted a great Red-Breasted Nuthatch in the ID thread. We only have the white-breasted variety here. The grass is always greener...


Here a few more of the hawks from my "B" list (so please excuse the poor level of PPing). The last one is after the meal was caught (in right talon) along with some weeds.

[Copy_Kot]

I love the shot of the hawk looking back over his shoulder... awesome!

[OBie]

The 'uglies' are cute, lined up like that. Looks like a cartoon!

[payn817]

Nice shots. Your B list beats my A list . I too like the starlings, but the hawk is awesome (my fav bird).

[paulnj]

Look like you had a very good day dispite the balmy weather

[AmberC]

Those are awesome

Well.. this weekend.. I have to go to the Jumping Monkey because my daughter missed her best friends birthday party Friday cause my other one was sick.. but we are getting the girls together darnit! lol Do the "jumping monkeys" count as wildlife?

[Old Timer]

Oh for a B List like this. You make me rethink the quality images I post each time you put up images like these. Great job.

[Loupey]

Copy: thanks for the input. I'll have to open Scott Kelby's book so that I'll know how to properly PP that one later (difficult to keep the whites without the image is going too warm like it is, hot spots...)

OBie: thanks for the comment. Since last summer I've been imagining a long row of birds on a taut telephone wire. To be able to shoot straight down the length of the wire focusing on just one out-of-place pigeon/gull is what I'm after eventually.

Payn & OT: My B list was originally my A list. That is, until I found myself getting real close. It a luxury when the "insurance shots" can remain insurance shots Thanks!

Paul: Sure was cooold. Whenever I see blue sky, I'm just itchin to get out.

Amber: I think I know what Jumping Monkeys are. It's a place where they give kids too much sugar then throw them in an enclosed area full of protective blown up obstacles and other children so that they can go berzerk, right? A full signed waiver is required before stepping in