Eastern Kingbird

[Mike Lewis]

So starting to get out more with my R5 and 100-500 and really liking it. Here is an Eastern Kingbird, taken handheld at 500mm, at Barr Lake State park a few days ago, out shooting with friends. This little guy was my best capture of the day.

I still have lots to learn on wildlife shooting, so comments and critiques most welcome.

ML

 

[AlanLichty]

A distinctly nice way to start out your birding efforts. I'd be quite happy to have shot this one.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Very nice front light would have helped get a catch light in the eye. I always want the sun at my back but can’t always get that

 

[Mike Lewis]

Ben,

It was an overcast outing. No real sun to be found. I got a reflection in the eye nevertheless, but exposure was a challenge the whole day.

ML

 

[Mike Lewis]

A distinctly nice way to start out your birding efforts. I'd be quite happy to have shot this one.

Thanks Alan! I am pretty happy with this one considering the conditions. It was shot at 2500 ISO because of the light but cleaned up nicely with lots of remaining detail.

ML

 

[JimFox]

Very nice Mike, that looks to be a great combo.

Where at Barr Lake did you capture this? Do they have lots of birds down there now?

 

[Mike Lewis]

Very nice Mike, that looks to be a great combo.

Where at Barr Lake did you capture this? Do they have lots of birds down there now?

Jim,

The lower half of the lake is marked as wildlife refuge and no boats are allowed down there. We walked around a section of the lower portion. Many of the trails are right up against the lake, and there are a couple of boardwalks that end at a covered gazebo like structure. These came in handy for the 2 rainstorms that went through. There are birds all along the way - many very small ones that are often hard to see and identify. The park is apparently a recognized bird sanctuary, with a lot of species that spend at least a portion of the year there:

https://www.inaturalist.org/guides/5544

It is a great location for getting some practice in on small birds, or also getting some good shots of a few larger birds also. I have now been there twice - once in the first part of the day, and once in the middle of the day into the afternoon. I would say things were better earlier than the middle of the day (no surprise there) - possibly it also picks up some towards the latter portion of the day too. That being said, there were still birds to be found. I will likely post at least one or 2 more from my 2 trips there, and I am sure I will head back over there again at some point in the future.

ML