Birds in Nebraska and Iowa

[Tom Z]

I was encouraged by Bill to post some more pictures from Nebraska, since it's 2 years from this post. Here some of our local birds and some on their way somewhere else. Cormorants at Memphis (NE) State Recreation Area. Eagles in flooded area along interstate 29 in Iowa. Turkey Vultures just across the wide Missouri River in Iowa.

 

[Tom Z]

Sharp Shinned has taken residence in a large tree on my parents property. My wife and I think the last one is a Tufted Titmouse but is still up for debate.

 

[Tom Z]

There are more Canada Geese.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Wow! Hatchlings already.

 

[Tom Z]

Our great songster of the plains

 

[Bill Anderson]

Good shot. Western meadowlark?

 

[Tom Z]

Yes, I believe it is a western.

 

[Terry O]

Beautiful image, Tom. We don't see them often here in the Puget Sound region.

 

[Tom Z]

I put out the Oriole Grape jelly feeder a couple of weeks ago. This week the temps were in high 50's with night time lows around 35. Last week we had a couple days of 80. Anyway this Oriole started stopping by a number of times during the day. This shot is through the glass door. I will go sit on the deck his week and try and get one from outside. I just didn't want to scare him away.

 

[Terry O]

I know what you mean. I often shoot through our kitchen window for the same reason. A real treat to see.
Terry

 

[Bill Anderson]

It is nice seeing photos of birds we don't have in our area. You soon learn which birds are skittish and must be photographed through the glass. In my case it is the flickers.

 

[Tom Z]

Sat out on the deck in my black hooded sweatshirt next to the grill with the black cover. It's a bit windy and about 48 degrees. I think I'll jack the ISO up a bit more. Shot on Apeture preferred f7.1, ISO 2000, shutter varies but around 1/2000 . Maybe try the tripod. D810 with a Sigma 150 to 600 at 550mm.

If I stand up(photo 3 and 4) the backround is the roof of the house behind which is a consistent color and blurs nicely.

 

[Bill Anderson]

I think I'll jack the ISO up a bit more. Shot on Apeture preferred f7.1, ISO 2000, shutter varies but around 1/2000 . Maybe try the tripod. D810 with a Sigma 150 to 600 at 550mm.

Shooting daily from the same spot during these Corona Quarantine times allows you to experiment. I am thinking about buying a hunter's blind later this year to set up on my back deck when the weather turns colder and wetter.

 

[Tom Z]

Feeder population doubled today. Rainy and cold like the PNW. Sunny and 76 tomorrow they say. We'll see.

 

[RickyRed2057]

Do many of these birds migrate? I used to drive long haul from the west coast to the east coast and have been in some really tough winter storms on I-80. Driving a fully loaded semi with the wind howling. watching your trailer tires lift off the pavement. I was headed west bound and just thinking I still have to go over the Rockies. fun times. R.J

 

[Tom Z]

They all head somewhere when it starts to get cold. This is the first time I’ve had the feeder out at this house. We weren’t sure any were around. A friend of mine who lives on the west side of Omaha along the “Big Papillion” creek has them come by every year. I’ll be interested to see how long they stay in this neighborhood. I have also driven I 80 in the winter. No fun when the snow and wind combine.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Here are two good sites if you have questions on specific bird species.

Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology

Cornell Lab of Ornithology—Home

We believe in the power of birds to ignite discovery and inspire action. Join us on a lifelong journey to enjoy, understand, and protect birds and the natural world.

www.birds.cornell.edu

National Audubon Society

Home

The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation.

www.audubon.org

 

[Tom Z]

No sun yet today. Tripod tomorrow and work on the RAW image.

 

[Bill Anderson]

I continue to shoot in jpeg although Terry keeps bugging me to shoot in RAW.

 

[Tom Z]

I just don’t think these are as sharp as they should be with Sigma glass and a D810. Maybe I just expect too much. Although I had the 2x converter on it and had to manual focus because the camera hunts for focus when I get out around 800mm.