Show us some bird shots... 10

Thanks Mike, I'll look closer at the Coopers and correct the title, and thanks for the comp Cam.

Must be the effect of some evenly-spaced branches.

And apols for omitting to say that I had a good chuckle when I saw that solitary eye -- a nice shot.

No house. Only things in the image are the bird, branches and the pond water in the bg.

Man, birding is hard! Songbirding that is, which has been my main targets since I started hunting them with the 100-400APO. I've had a little luck with them, but not the frame filling shots I'm looking for so instead I'll show some of the bigger birds I've captured.
One request from others who know better is to confirm or not if I've got the hawk properly I.D'd, there's nothing in the Audubon Field Guide that matches the patterns here, and I'm guessing I got the sexes right on the geese.

1-I was standing in this spot for like 5 minutes or more waiting for some songbirds to get within striking distance when I noticed it just sitting there about 20 feet away watching me. There was a lot of foliage between us and I was weaving back and forth taking shots and moving closer to get a clear shot but he bolted when I got within about ten feet away.


2-The main reason I keep returning to this one spot, a bird sanctuary at the Winfield Locks and Dam on the Kanawha River, is reports (and sightings by co-workers) of a Bald Eagle in the area. Apperently one has been spotted there for the last couple of years but I haven't seen him yet. But there's ospreys around too and one was seen gathering nest materials this year.


3-If it wasn't for these two I would have never got the last three shots posted here, so thanks guys!


4-The geese were on the path I was taking between two ponds, and as they moved towards the water I saw some movement through the brush. I could see the shape and as I focused through the foliage I saw that I was being watched.


5-Sidestepping while keeping him in the frame I got some clearer shots.


6-If I would have been more patient I might have seen him snag something as it looked like he was hunting, but I was looking for a clear shot. So I just ended up pushing him deeper into the foliage before he finally took flight.

jpink wrote: Special Delivery.

Very special indeed, as are the followups.

Nice shot Larry!

Well this is an older shot and far from being as nice... (I liked the effect on the water though)

very nice Larry!!!