Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Some Birds and Flowers



I dropped my son off at my parents this weekend for a week long visit. I spent the night there as it is a long drive and I didn't feel like driving it twice in one day. While I was there I helped get their wireless network working with my father's new laptop. I also spent some time out on the patio trying to photograph the birds that were visiting their bird feeder.

A couple more after the jump.




Most of the shots turned out blurry. I guess a combination of the low, evening light, full zoom and a maximum aperture of f/5.6 where to blame for it. I probably should have used a tripod which I will do next time. I also tried to get some photographs of hummingbirds at my parent's feeder, but those were even worse. I had to shoot the hummingbirds through two panes of window glass and I think the camera focused on the glass instead of the birds. It was still neat to see the little birds. My mom said they were juveniles just starting to get their wings as it were.





They also have a couple of hydrenia bushes that are nearly as old as I am that were in full bloom. Quite a nice color of light blue on them right now.





That's it for now. The full gallery is here, but it isn't very large and is variations of the above shots.

Have fun and keep shooting.

4 comments:

John Brainard said...

Nice work! I have never seen a mockingbird. In fact, I'm not sure they're seen much around Central NY.

I love watching the birds, feeding them and taking their pictures. I wish the gray squirrels weren't so shy. I haven't been able to get very close to them to get good shots.

Hummingbirds aren't too terribly shy. You might be able to shoot them sitting outside on the patio a reasonable distance from the feeder.... Maybe 10 yards or just slightly less. I was standing outside near the hummingbird feeder one evening and they would fly in. Unfortunately, I wasn't in a very good position to focus on them good. They move way too fast! I plan on setting up the hummingbird feeder on a shepherd's hook and sit comfortably on a chair nearby to take some photos. If I get around to doing that, I'll post my results.

Anonymous said...

Consider this a learning experience then. Now you know what won't work as well the next time you go out to get birds.

I like the way the hydrenias came out though. Especially that last one where the plant filled the whole frame.

Craig Lee said...

Thanks, guys.

It is always a learning experience. That's what makes it fun.

Flowers are definately easier to photograph than birds though. The birds must have been off celebrating Father's Day somewhere else because they didn't stop by as much as they usually do according to my parents.

Anonymous said...

those are stunning blue roses.

arlene,
Silverdale flowers