Post by Dave on Nov 20, 2011 13:29:30 GMT -8
Hello Birders,
I was eager to try out my new camera after getting a lot of advise from Len Jellicoe a few weeks ago. When news of the Snowy Owls and Painted Bunting travelled here, I set aside Saturday morning to try out my camera.
Although I would have loved to go after both, I decided not to go for the Painted Bunting since it was only found the day before at a private residence. The home owner did give permission for birders to visit, but I could only imagine the flow of people going in and out of her home to see this very rare bird. As an outside-Vancouverer, I decided it was probably best to let the locals have the views first and perhaps my turn can come later if the bird sticks around long enough.
I was also concerned about the Snowy Owls and whether or not there would be the large numbers of photographers there were 6 years ago when the last wave of Snowy Owls appeared. I really wanted a photo of a Short-eared Owl as well, so decided to go quite early with the hopes of seeing a Short-eared hunting at dawn and the hopes that a Snowy Owl would be there without the crowds.
Well, I got their early with my Mom and 2 young birding nephews. Both nephews had never seen a Snowy Owl so were excited abou the idea. I arrived at 72nd street with our bikes and the goal of biking the dyke to 104th and hopefully bumping into some birds. Well, we got up and onto the dyke and what met our eyes was about 15 photographers aiming their lens at something out there in the marsh. Hmm...wonder what that was? We had binocular views of a Snowy Owl, really unsatisfactory looks for my young nephews, but a Snowy none the less. I really didn't like the idea of joining the group and I was humming and hawing about going through the salt marsh to get good views (and a photo, of course). Well, watching the photographers crossing the muck and looking at our own footwear helped us decide not to join them. And I am very glad we did, because turning the other direction allowed for my one goal to be accomplished. A Short-eared Owl flew right by in the early morning light.
I see I should have had a faster shutter speed, but I came home happy with these photos, for a rookie
We then headed down the dyke with the hopes of getting a better view of the Snowy Owl since it was quite a ways from the dyke. I didn't take long to find a second Snowy Owl (more photographers). After a number of Northern Harriers, etc and even farther down the dyke we saw a third Snowy by itself providing perfect views, and we didn't even need wet feet! We did have to navigate over the driftwood and around the other side, since we were looking directly into the sun otherwise.
I took a number of pictures, the nephews had awesome views, the owl just sat there, rarely even looking at us. The early morning light was perfect. I applied what I remembered about adjusting exposure compensation from Len's lessons, and here is the result.
While I was looking through the camera at this bird, someone (my Mom? nephews? I don't remember who to thank) said another was coming by and I quickly took some pictures as it cruised by. A 4th? Or one of the earlier ones? I don't know.
With both goals accomplished so quickly, we then continued biking in the awesome weather stopping at brambles/bushes that appeared birdy. The boys kept a list of all the species seen and ended up with 62 species - a nice day total that includes what was seen on the trip out and back.
My nephew Daniel checking out a Northern Harrier!
Here are some more pictures of random birds that posed for me.
Golden-crowned Sparrow among the many White-crowned Sparrows.
A Bald Eagle checking out the guy with the camera
At the mansion near 96th, there was a cozy group of Dunlin.
A beautiful day!
Thanks for reading,
Dave Beeke
I was eager to try out my new camera after getting a lot of advise from Len Jellicoe a few weeks ago. When news of the Snowy Owls and Painted Bunting travelled here, I set aside Saturday morning to try out my camera.
Although I would have loved to go after both, I decided not to go for the Painted Bunting since it was only found the day before at a private residence. The home owner did give permission for birders to visit, but I could only imagine the flow of people going in and out of her home to see this very rare bird. As an outside-Vancouverer, I decided it was probably best to let the locals have the views first and perhaps my turn can come later if the bird sticks around long enough.
I was also concerned about the Snowy Owls and whether or not there would be the large numbers of photographers there were 6 years ago when the last wave of Snowy Owls appeared. I really wanted a photo of a Short-eared Owl as well, so decided to go quite early with the hopes of seeing a Short-eared hunting at dawn and the hopes that a Snowy Owl would be there without the crowds.
Well, I got their early with my Mom and 2 young birding nephews. Both nephews had never seen a Snowy Owl so were excited abou the idea. I arrived at 72nd street with our bikes and the goal of biking the dyke to 104th and hopefully bumping into some birds. Well, we got up and onto the dyke and what met our eyes was about 15 photographers aiming their lens at something out there in the marsh. Hmm...wonder what that was? We had binocular views of a Snowy Owl, really unsatisfactory looks for my young nephews, but a Snowy none the less. I really didn't like the idea of joining the group and I was humming and hawing about going through the salt marsh to get good views (and a photo, of course). Well, watching the photographers crossing the muck and looking at our own footwear helped us decide not to join them. And I am very glad we did, because turning the other direction allowed for my one goal to be accomplished. A Short-eared Owl flew right by in the early morning light.
I see I should have had a faster shutter speed, but I came home happy with these photos, for a rookie
We then headed down the dyke with the hopes of getting a better view of the Snowy Owl since it was quite a ways from the dyke. I didn't take long to find a second Snowy Owl (more photographers). After a number of Northern Harriers, etc and even farther down the dyke we saw a third Snowy by itself providing perfect views, and we didn't even need wet feet! We did have to navigate over the driftwood and around the other side, since we were looking directly into the sun otherwise.
I took a number of pictures, the nephews had awesome views, the owl just sat there, rarely even looking at us. The early morning light was perfect. I applied what I remembered about adjusting exposure compensation from Len's lessons, and here is the result.
While I was looking through the camera at this bird, someone (my Mom? nephews? I don't remember who to thank) said another was coming by and I quickly took some pictures as it cruised by. A 4th? Or one of the earlier ones? I don't know.
With both goals accomplished so quickly, we then continued biking in the awesome weather stopping at brambles/bushes that appeared birdy. The boys kept a list of all the species seen and ended up with 62 species - a nice day total that includes what was seen on the trip out and back.
My nephew Daniel checking out a Northern Harrier!
Here are some more pictures of random birds that posed for me.
Golden-crowned Sparrow among the many White-crowned Sparrows.
A Bald Eagle checking out the guy with the camera
At the mansion near 96th, there was a cozy group of Dunlin.
A beautiful day!
Thanks for reading,
Dave Beeke
I prefer shooting with a camera though. 
