Bird photographs from New Brunswick < Click Here >
Click on any photograph to see a larger view.
All photographs by David Lilly
This week one of the pretty's birds showed up at my feeders. Of course, I had to photograph the Evening Grosbeak.
There was a flock of about 30 or more. They were very vocal as they scrambled for the sunflower seeds in the feeder. I have a lot of photographs of this bird already but I never pass up an opportunity as I might not see them for a while.
Nikon D 500 with a Nikon 200 to 600mm lens mounted on a tripod.
For most Canadian Bird Photographers spring is an exciting time. Ducks are getting together for mating, the songbirds are slowly making their way north and the Ospreys have returned.
Our pretties duck the Wood Duck look fantastic in the early morning spring sunrise and even better with a reflection.
Ducks are skittish in the spring, so the longer the lens the better. For the photos to the right and bottom, I used the Nikon 500pf lens. Still not long enough - I might just have to invest in the 800mm Nikon for the mirrorless camera. The problem is I don't have a mirrorless camera Hum Hum.
Early spring mornings are excellent for bird photography because the light is still at roughly 45 Degrees.
I was surprised by the Wood Duck in a tree it just did not suit a water bird. However, they do nest in holes in trees.
I don't know why they call the Ring-necked duck because the white ring is around the beak, it was nice to see them.
I tried to get the classic shot of the Red-winged blackbird with early morning breath showing but no luck.
Nikon D 500 with a Nikon 500pf lens.
Walking through the woods and being quiet, I came upon this female Hooded merganser sitting on some grass.
The light was excellent and the reflection made for a good photo. I edged my way slowly close to get a larger view. However, duck are not going to tolerate some strange object coming closer.
I was on sort of a small hill so I had to photograph at a downward angle.The light was good and the reflection in the sky reflected water was good.
Although, the female Hooded merganser is a little drab compared to the male it didn't matter to me I will photograph all birds because I think they are beautiful creatures.
D500 with a Nikon 500mm pf lens.
Since mid-April sparrows of all kinds have been showing up at my feeders.
The rear Fox sparrow made an appearance for a couple of days and move on. (Top right)
The Song sparrow is probably the most vocal. (Bottom right)
The White-throated sparrows have been hanging around for a couple of weeks. I have seen as many as five at one time. The males are very pretty in the spring with their bright white throats. They are also easy to spot. (Bottom left)
The Fox sparrow was a very cautious bird. It would flush at the slightest sound or sudden movement.
D500 with a Nikon 500mm pf lens.
How do you know when you are in a swamp in New Brunswick?
Swamps are alive this time of the with bird calls, but there is one bird that drowns out the rest - it is the Red-winged blackbird.
Almost all healthy swaps will have several males. The swamp I visited had at least a dozen or more. For a week I had eight in my backyard munching down on crack corn.
The males have arrived early to claim their territory for nesting. At this time of the year the blackbirds are very vocal letting other males of the same species know that this is my territory.
Also, when the females arrive in a week or so the males will be hoping to attract a female and not waste no time getting a nest built for the short breeding season.
D500 with a Nikon 500mm pf lens.
After a lot of research and talking to other photographers I have changed my website name to www.davidlillyphotography.com from www.canadianbirdphotography.ca. I wanted to make the website more personal. The old link will still work, but will redirect you to my new website link. Please let me know what you think.
I have designed a new logo with meaning. The different colours represent the different birds I photograph. For example, the blue represents blue birds such as the Blue Jay.
Today I was looking for birds in a swamp. Guess what I found a Swamp sparrow of all birds.
I was rather surprised - should I have been surprised probably not but I was.
I was surprised because I don't see the Swamp sparrow very often - they are not very common.
When I first saw the bird I thought it was a Chipping sparrow. It was not until I looked it up in my book did I get a positive ID.
The Male was calling for a female with no luck.
D500 with a Nikon 500mm pf lens.
The Osprey is a very distinctive fish-hawk, formerly classified with other hawks but now placed in a separate family of its own.
You will find the Osprey along coastlines, lakes, and rivers almost worldwide, the Osprey is often seen flying over the water, hovering, and then plunging feet-first to catch fish in its talons.
After a successful strike, the bird rises heavily from the water and flies away, carrying the fish head-forward with its feet.
Once the Osprey has a fish they will find a a suitable Perch to land and eat the fish.
The two Osprey to the right both caught their fish in the St. Jon River here in New Brunswick.
Getting photographs of the Osprey with a fish demands a bit of luck and being in the right place at the right time.
Probably the best place is near a nest and just observing. If you wait long enough the Osprey will return with a fish. During nesting season the male will usually drop the fish in the nest and fly away.
D500 with a Nikon 500mm pf lens.
I am birding on Grand Manan in New Brunswick. Grand Manan is well known for bird migration.
The Island is particularly good for warblers.
Audubon visited Grand Manan in the late 1800s.
Here are two Black and White warblers I photographed today.
On the bottom is a Chestnut sided warbler.
I got fairly good photo of a Peregrine falcon on North Head.
The oven bird did not want his photo taken and remained in the trees.
The black-throated green warbler usually don't stand still , but in this photo he stood still.
The Common grackle posed for a photo. Although, the bird is a long ways away I liked the profile against the grey sky.
The Hairy woodpecker had a nest in birch tree. I watch the female and the male take turns sitting on the eggs, of course i could only conclude there were eggs in the nest.
More photos to come.
D 500 with a 200 - 600mm Nikon lens.
D 500 with a 500mm PF Nikon lens.
