12 replies to this topic

[jblakelock]

Just wanted to make sure this is a Bushtit or I am missing something. First one I've been able to photograph. Thanks.



IMG_1737 by JJB1998, on Flickr

[Liam]

Definitely Bushtit

[jblakelock]

Thanks Liam!!

[Bird Brain]

Yep, no doubt a Bushtit, and a female by the light iris. Good photo. I've never been able to get a decent shot of one!!

[jblakelock]

Thanks for the extra info Bird Brain. Never considered what sex it was. I got pretty lucky with the shot. This bird stayed in the same area of the tree for some time. Even still you should see my other pictures; the ones of a tree and no bird. They do like to move around.

[ColoTomo]

Yep, no doubt a Bushtit, and a female by the light iris. Good photo. I've never been able to get a decent shot of one!!

I don't know how you feel about playing bird calls, but Bushtits are VERY response to playing their call. I've only done it a few times, but had them approach me every time. Usually most of the bunch. As far as birds go, their curiosity rivals that of a cat !!

[Liam]

I don't know how you feel about playing bird calls, but Bushtits are VERY response to playing their call. I've only done it a few times, but had them approach me every time. Usually most of the bunch. As far as birds go, their curiosity rivals that of a cat !!

What about pishing? Don't need to carry anything with you and you get the same response.

[Bird Brain]

Yeah, I've always had good luck "pishing" with Bushtits. I've had them come up to within 10 feet of me out of curiousity. Only problem is that they never stay still long enough for me to get a decent shot of one!!

[cabirds]

BB -

I had a tough time with them, so I set the camera aside and watched them for a half hour or so.

During "dinner time", they seemed to pop up in precisely the same place, one after another. I've since observed this behavior in multiple flocks.

I pointed the camera, centered that spot, locked my exposure and focus, and would just snap off a handful of photos every time one would pop-up.

[jblakelock]

That's pretty cool Jodie. Now do you have any tricks for taking pictures of Swallows?

[cabirds]

Find Water.

They seem to hunt the bugs over standing water, then rest and sun themselves. Depending upon the swallow - they also gather nesting materials on shore of water. Each of the different species of swallows seem to have slightly different behavior, so you have to observe them for awhile to spot the patterns.

[jblakelock]

Jodie, those are great Swallow pictures. I was half joking, but do appreciate the tips. I was trying to ID some swallows yesterday and snapped a few pictures that I'd be too ashamed to post and weren't very helpful as far as ID'ing. "Patience and observation" is a good birding mantra. Thanks!

[cabirds]

Thanks!

I tend to take questions at face-value on the Interwebz. Maybe that makes me humor impaired?

I employed the same technique today shooting, of all things, Bushtits again. You really gotta believe in your technique if you're going to lay down in the grass, zoom all the way in, and fix the lens in one single spot. This is full-crop too! Talk about coming back to the exact same spot! I had to shift less than an inch to center him up.