Fall Visitors
I spotted 9 species of birds in the back yard this afternoon:
Dark-eyed Junco
Stellar's Jay
Spotted Towhee
Black-capped Chickadee
Golden-crowned Sparrow (juvenile)
Fox Sparrow
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
I spotted 9 species of birds in the back yard this afternoon:
Dark-eyed Junco
Stellar's Jay
Spotted Towhee
Black-capped Chickadee
Golden-crowned Sparrow (juvenile)
Fox Sparrow
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
A few years ago when we took a trip to Costa Rica, I was hoping to take photos of jungle birds, however, I knew that shooting pictures in the dark understory would prove to be a challenge. I found that there was a product called the "Better Beamer" which uses a Fresnel lens to extend the flash range. I immediately though, "hey, I can do that". So I purchased a Fresnel lens at Barnes & Noble used for magnifying books and made my own bracket out of a plastic milk jug (I wanted it to be foldable). After a few variations, I had what I wanted. The tests were very positive!
Our dose of snow hasn't stopped our local avian denizens from foraging. They succeeded in finding the sunflower seeds and cracked corn under the snow.
I rigged up the iphone once more, this time on the ground feeder. I fully expected to capture a Stellars Jay and a Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco, but I did not expect to get the Spotted Towhee so clearly!
At least 10 Dark-eyed ("Oregon") Juncos at the feeder today, feeding on the seed dropped by the Jays. Another visit by a furtive Red-breasted Nuthatch. No rodents today.
Today a new sparrow type was identified. The "Thick-billed" Fox Sparrow likes to perch on the feeder and eat with little fear.
And then there was this fella: