Other Birds

My dad and I decided to try a new adventure and see if we could get our little Boston Whaler from his house at Crosswinds on Lake Michigan to our cabin a few miles up the Pere Marquette River. After several attempts, we found a path that was deep enough. Along the way, we each were able to make a few good photographs. F2.8 at 1/1250, ISO 1000, 300 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 450 mm

About the size and weight of a ping pong ball, a newborn piping plover scurries along the Lake Michigan shoreline on its spindly legs. Naturalists helped the rare bird get its life started by erecting a protective cage over the nest its parents made on a highly trafficked area of West Michigan beach. F4.5 at 1/1250, ISO 800, 500mm lens at 500mm

With or without all the "bling" it is wearing, an adult piping plover is simply a beautiful creature. The bands help researchers keep track of the endangered bird, enabling them to know exactly which bird this is no matter where it travels. This plover and its mate are among less than 60 mating pairs currently identified along the Great Lakes. F4.5 at 1/1250, ISO 800, 500mm lens at 500mm

Another goldfinch was back in the same butterfly bush that I had photographed earlier in the year. This time instead of a green backdrop, I wanted my red house to be the backdrop. I knew the yellow bird would rocket out against the red siding.

I would like to be as wise about birds and as in sync with them as so many Native Americans have learned to be through generations of careful observation and the passing on of knowledge of their ways. This gull seems to me to be a free spirit as it passes right over my head at the Native American Pow Wow at the National Cherry Festival. I am sure some of the Indians who saw the bird found meaning in its appearance. F10 at 1/500, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

I took a lunchtime break at the lakeshore. The seagulls were very active!

These pigeons are a bright spot in a sad day. Angel, our beloved cat, died today. The pigeons are on a barn roof at Country Clinic, which gave us Angel nearly 20 years ago when he was an orphan kitty convalescing from the loss of a front leg. What a gift he turned out to be! F5.6 at 1/2000, ISO 400, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Kasey had a cross country meet in Bear Lake this evening. I decided to take back roads home, from Manistee, on the search of a photo. To my luck, I saw this sandhill crane in a field. I safely pulled the van over and got in position. What a majestic bird!

Using trees for cover, I have stealthily made my way to within 15 yards of this great blue heron. Fortunately for me, the heron's attention is primarily focused on the water and his quest for dinner. F3.5 at 1/500, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Soaring on a brisk autumn wind, a seagull passes overhead as I am looking for pictures along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Fortunately, I am prepared to make the shot of the graceful bird. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 120 mm

Several tom turkeys passed in front of my truck as I turned the corner from Conrad Road onto Meyers Road this morning. I threw on a larger lens and ran after the birds. The fall leaves on the ground add to the composition. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 500, 70-200 mm lens at 120 mm

The larger the millimeters on your lens, the shallower the depth of field or focus will be. Also, the closer you are to the subject you are focusing on, the shallower the depth of field. And, of course, the larger the aperture hole in your lens, the shallower the depth of field. Today, I was very close to this Eastern Kingbird with a 600mm lens and a 1.4 extender and I shot it with a huge aperture hole at F5.6. That is why the bird looks very sharp and everything behind the bird becomes soft and out of focus. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 1600, 600mm lens at 840mm

We were exploring a different part of Legends Ranch today when a falcon flew above us. Luckily, I was ready with my camera.

Ami Maglothin called me today to provide a photo tip that a great blue heron was hanging out in the marina across the street from Whitehall Industries on Madison Street. I headed there right away and found the heron hard at work fishing for food. Thanks for the great tip, Ami! F5.6 at 1/2500, ISO 400, 600 mm lens at 600 mm

Four large sandhill cranes made their way across M32 in Northeast Michigan this morning. I was glad my dad could stop the Suburban fast enough for me to get out my giant telephoto lens and tripod in time to capture these magnificent creatures in flight. F5.6 at 1/2000, ISO 800, 600mm lens at 840mm

A male American goldfinch perched on a flower at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon looks canary yellow to me. I later learn that wild canary is another name for the brilliant yellow bird. I see why. F4.5 at 1/640, ISO 3200, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

After sounding out their unmistakable tune on and off for 20 minutes, a pair of sandhill cranes takes off and passes right by my resting spot at the edge of Nordhouse Lake in the Nordhouse Dunes Federal Wilderness between Manistee and Ludington. F9 at 1/1250, ISO 200, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

All was quiet. I was wishing I had been able to capture the sunrise this morning. Finally, alongside the road came a turkey. The calm lighting worked well to showcase her feathers.

Taking winter head-on, a tufted titmouse pauses momentarily on an icy rail just outside the kitchen window of my parents' home near the south border of Ludington State Park. Many species of songbirds flock year-around to the feeders, providing great enjoyment for my parents. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

A sandhill crane pops up out of the grass for a look while playing hide-and-seek with me at Kensington Metro Park. I took many photographs of sandhill cranes today, some showing an entire bird or birds, but I find this tighter shot riveting and much less expected. F4.5 at 1/1250, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm