You got a terrific shot of the wren. I love its alert watchful posture.
Paul Baird
Hello Laura, great website. I recently have been following your updates via Google Alerts. I am a amateur nature photograph. I notice you use a flash where I would never have expected it to be useful, such as with your 100-400mm lens. Are you collimating the light with any add on flash attachment and are you using Canons E-TTL feature?
Merry Christmas, Paul
Hi Paul, Thanks for your comments.
I use something called a better beamer which attaches to my flash and does focus and magnify the flash onto the subject. I do use the E-TTL feature and most of the time have the meter set for -3 so that I get an easy fill flash and enhanced glint if necessary. In the case of this Black Vulture picture, I did need additional light because of the heavy fog. I hope this is helpful.
Merry Christmas to you.
Hi Laura I have to say how much I love your blog. My wife and I made a short trip to New York in Sept but thru your blog we see a different side of the city, one we barely imagined. This shot is just so wonderful with the powerful juxtapostion of one of the most icon building in the world as a background to the eternal cycle of migration. May I add you to my links?
Regards
Guy
lorenz
yay spring ! Curious how effective the flash was at what was probably some distance ?
Beautiful tree, sky, and pretty bird, yum.
Just found this site with your amazing work, and since much of it is from Prospect Park, I’ve linked you to my park blog, “Prospect: A Year in the Park” (www.ayearinthepark.typepad.com). You take the kind of pictures I can only dream of with my current level of equipment; I welcome guest shots (hint hint) if you’d like to share (full credit always given). Stop by and say hello!
Lorenz
oooo! fuzzy little redhead, utterly adorable
Lorenz
the sparrow is adorable but I am especially thrilled with the roller-coaster tangle of vine !
JK Canepa
Fitting that you recognize the wisdom of the female song sparrow in choosing the male with the best song! And I know you also recognize a great voice when you hear it.
And do birds get more challenging to photography? I don’t think so.
Lorenz
A parula ! We never heard of a parula before and he/she is very sporty. Flutter got very excited seeing this lovely creature and promptly declared “Little birdie!” once again.
Lorenz
What a lovely texture on this little guys feathers, like he has dried off after a boogie board session.
Easy to see why he’d be tough to spot in the usual habitat.
Bonnie
I seem to breathe different with your beautiful birds. Thank you.
Lorenz
Could a little birdie look any sweeter ? I think not!
Hi Suzan, You can hear any bird sound on the Cornell Lab site while viewing the bird – http://www.allaboutbirds.org –
That is where I orignally got this audio file.
lm
JK Canepa
What a delicately marked bird! My friend calls himself Tim Vireo in tribute to this creature. Thanks, Laura, for the glimpse. Getting your photos is a real treat.
JK – I love that Tim has named himself after these beautiful bird. A fitting tribute.
Thanks for sharing. lm
Kathy Calabrese
Hi, Laura!!! Your work is becoming positively incredible! I have a new email address, and I have a signed purchase offer on the house. Life is good in Buffalo–very, very busy. My practice is growing by leaps and bounds, and I’m doing lots of neurofeedback. I will call you very soon so we can catch up on all our news. Be sure to send me your daily pic on my new account! Love, Kathy
Lorenz
Wow such feathers !
That longest group with a tapering end are amazing.
And the layered groups of shorter feathers that put power into the longest ones without breaking them how splendid.
Hi Kaylan, Thanks for your comments. I used a better beamer on my Canon flash which may be what you are referring to as a flash extender. It does a similar function.
Thanks for your comments Guy. I was happy to get this shot. It seems there were two Yellow-billed Cuckoos in Central Park last week. They are very shy and are heard more than they are seen.
Kalyan
Hi Laura, Thanks for your quick response. I have one more question. Did you use tripod for the shot or was it a handheld shot. Photographs published here are beautiful.
Fantastic! I take photos of red-tails in NYC as well and just love this series of posts of yours. I just got the same camera kit you used (Canon EOS 7D and Canon 100-400mm lens). Best of luck to you to find more red-tails! They’re migrating now so you have plenty of opportunities. My hawk photos are here: http://rogerpaw.blogspot.com/
A great shot, I did not realize you could see wild turkeys there.
Best wishes for Thanksgiving.
Guy
David
Just used this picture to identify a woodpecker I took a picture of! It’s harder to take a picture thru the window with the bird moving from branch to branch on a magnolia which has lots of branches:-)
Thanks, David
gary greene
Hi Laura ,you have a great site and a great talent..I noticed that you are getting some photo,s with a canon7d /canon100-400. It excites me to see this as I just got one for Christmas. I am into birds and fur-bearers,bears ,bobcats,fishers,fox and coyote,etc. Gonna get busy as the winter progresses… Keep up the goos work and send me a line once in a while… may God bless you Gary greene
The colouring on this shot is wonderful. I love the brown and blue of the water as a background to all the shades of brown and grey in the gull’s wings.
I love the Green-Winged Teal the colour patterns always strike me as so unlikely.
Guy
Ralph Tiner
Laura
I’ve written a book on tidal wetlands to be published by the University of Massachusetts Press in 2013 and am looking for a few photos of salt marsh birds for a one-page figure. I found your clapper rail photo online and thought it would be great to show it with the other bird photos I have. Would you be willing to let me use it for this book (Tidal Wetlands Primer)? I’m also looking for a photo of the salt marsh sharp-tailed sparrow.
Thanks for your comments. I love photographing on Ft Myers Beach. It is a great destination for me.
we
thanks for the id!! we saw them this morning and found this on google images for new york butterflies. now we have a name for it. funny it is called red.
Corinne Buchet
What a variety of notes !
and so clear
Thank you Laura
Its a great pleasure to hear it
Corinne
Thanks for your comments, Corinne. It is amazing how complex some of the bird songs are. I plan to include more birdsongs with my posts.
JK Canepa
Went to see the warblers in Flowering Peach Hill Park in Poughkeepsie last weekend; I sure heard them but wasn’t quick enough to see. By the way, no peach trees in that park because they replaced them with an orchard of apple trees. So lovely to walk around following all the songs in the trees. Thanks for this song, Laura.
Laura Meyers
It is great to be able to identify the birds by their songs. I am glad these posts are helping you. Thanks JK
A great shot of the Orchard Oriole your posting really inspire me to work on my own bird photos.
Thanks
Guy
Laura Meyers
Thanks Guy, I got really luck with this shot. And yes you should work on your own bird photos.
Warm regards,
Laura
Laura Meyers
I have gotten quite a few shots on this particular log at Big John Pond at Jamaica Bay. It is in really nice proximity to the blind.
Thanks for your comments, Guy.
Cheers,
Laura
Thank you for such beautiful pictures. I did learn some info about the red bellied woodpeckers.. I have a family of them in the tree outside my window. My cats and i bird and wildlife watch every morning..You pictures are beautiful. Have a nice day… :=))
Hi. I have one or two in the my back woods – I know they have a distinctive sound but I just saw white under the head area. thanks. this confirms my answer.
JK
What a cute voice this little guy has, and a tiny body, and to think he (and she) can swim all that distance from the Northeast way down the ocean. I am just amazed by the power of the natural world. Even of its small wonders.
Hi Laura, I have a blog with about 40 or so unique visitors, most of whom are my family, about my journey to becoming a beekeeper. Would it be alright to use your photo of a yellow jacket for a new post I’m working on about different types of bees? I found your fantastic picture via google images. I will certainly cite your work and of course leave the watermark.
I alwyas enjoy a really beautiful photo of a common bird it just really makes you rethink the animal’s place in the order of things and in this case especially appreciate their personality.
I have been seeing and photographing lots of Crosssbills this winter, this is a wonderful photo. It really captures the delicate beauty of their markings and feather patterns.
Regards
Guy
Lynn S
Thanks for posting this beautiful shot . It helped me ID the three in may yard today. March 9, 2013, Sharbot Lake Ontario.
Jane
These are beautiful photos. I love pictures of birds in flight. You are an amazing photographer.
Hi Tom, Good spotting. I did some poking around and believe it my be a hybrid between a Snow Goose and Domestic Goose because there is a faint orange eye ring on this bird that is found on the Domestic Goose and the body shape
Hi LauraI alwyas enjoy a relaly beautiful photo of a common bird it just relaly makes you rethink the animal’s place in the order of things and in this case especially appreciate their personality.RegardsGuy
Hey Linda I got one of those feeders last fall, and that darn red squreril ripped right thru it!!!Love the Nuthatches they are also kind of bossy at the feeder!!now a question I reposted an old blog, by changing the published date but it is not showing up on my followers blogs any ideas??? Maybe I should just post favorite pics..and forget about posting the old blogs in a quandry.. HELP!!!Cheers!Linda )
DJ
The pictured Hooded Merganser is an immature male, not a female. Note the yellow eyes and all-dark bill, both indicative of an immature male.
I was searching for Merganser photos, and when I saw this one mislabeled, I thought you’d want to know.
Hello. I recently had a pair of these birds carved for me. I’m not surprised you needed a 400 mm lens, these birds are impossible to encounter up close. Well done
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Very nice! Great eye shot
Very nice shot
Lovely macro work. Looks like she needs a shave.
Fantastic. Your dragonfly shots are excellent. I can’t seem to do that with a macro……
You got a terrific shot of the wren. I love its alert watchful posture.
Hello Laura, great website. I recently have been following your updates via Google Alerts. I am a amateur nature photograph. I notice you use a flash where I would never have expected it to be useful, such as with your 100-400mm lens. Are you collimating the light with any add on flash attachment and are you using Canons E-TTL feature?
Merry Christmas, Paul
Hi Paul, Thanks for your comments.
I use something called a better beamer which attaches to my flash and does focus and magnify the flash onto the subject. I do use the E-TTL feature and most of the time have the meter set for -3 so that I get an easy fill flash and enhanced glint if necessary. In the case of this Black Vulture picture, I did need additional light because of the heavy fog. I hope this is helpful.
Merry Christmas to you.
It’s good site, I was looking for something like this
Hi Laura I have to say how much I love your blog. My wife and I made a short trip to New York in Sept but thru your blog we see a different side of the city, one we barely imagined. This shot is just so wonderful with the powerful juxtapostion of one of the most icon building in the world as a background to the eternal cycle of migration. May I add you to my links?
Regards
Guy
yay spring ! Curious how effective the flash was at what was probably some distance ?
Beautiful tree, sky, and pretty bird, yum.
magnificent ! how powerful those wings look
Just found this site with your amazing work, and since much of it is from Prospect Park, I’ve linked you to my park blog, “Prospect: A Year in the Park” (www.ayearinthepark.typepad.com). You take the kind of pictures I can only dream of with my current level of equipment; I welcome guest shots (hint hint) if you’d like to share (full credit always given). Stop by and say hello!
oooo! fuzzy little redhead, utterly adorable
the sparrow is adorable but I am especially thrilled with the roller-coaster tangle of vine !
Fitting that you recognize the wisdom of the female song sparrow in choosing the male with the best song! And I know you also recognize a great voice when you hear it.
Thanks for your comment, Lorenz. I like the roller-coaster analogy.
Thanks for your comment. I do believe you are right about my recognizing a great voice – so far so good!
yay warblers ! such cuties. remind me of hot little sports cars.
I love the image of warblers as hot little sports cars. I totally get it! Thanks.
such elegance ! and fancy detailing on the paintjob !
Very nice cpature! I am a sparrow lover!
Thanks Lydia,
I do love sparrow also. We have about 5 species of sparrows around now that I am enjoying.
Prothonotary is right, nice outfit !
Fascinating that a flash can be useful at the sort of distance these were shot from …
I set the flash at very low. When shooting small songbirds such as these, they are most likely in shady, dark, hidden places that need light.
Flutter, upon seeing this lovely specimen says “little birdie!!”
I love warbler weeks !
Do little birdies get more charming? I think not !
And do birds get more challenging to photography? I don’t think so.
A parula ! We never heard of a parula before and he/she is very sporty. Flutter got very excited seeing this lovely creature and promptly declared “Little birdie!” once again.
What a lovely texture on this little guys feathers, like he has dried off after a boogie board session.
Easy to see why he’d be tough to spot in the usual habitat.
I seem to breathe different with your beautiful birds. Thank you.
Could a little birdie look any sweeter ? I think not!
And the song is so pretty also. In fact I will add the song to this post – since I have figured that out – come back in a bit to listen.
Thanks so much for your support Lorenz!
I loved hearing the video.Fabulous ( and instructive)! Do you have audio videos of other birds too?
Thank You!!
Hi Suzan, You can hear any bird sound on the Cornell Lab site while viewing the bird – http://www.allaboutbirds.org –
That is where I orignally got this audio file.
lm
What a delicately marked bird! My friend calls himself Tim Vireo in tribute to this creature. Thanks, Laura, for the glimpse. Getting your photos is a real treat.
JK – I love that Tim has named himself after these beautiful bird. A fitting tribute.
Thanks for sharing. lm
Hi, Laura!!! Your work is becoming positively incredible! I have a new email address, and I have a signed purchase offer on the house. Life is good in Buffalo–very, very busy. My practice is growing by leaps and bounds, and I’m doing lots of neurofeedback. I will call you very soon so we can catch up on all our news. Be sure to send me your daily pic on my new account! Love, Kathy
Wow such feathers !
That longest group with a tapering end are amazing.
And the layered groups of shorter feathers that put power into the longest ones without breaking them how splendid.
Thanks for your comment Lorenz. I totally agree. It is an amazing and beautiful configuration of feathers.
Magnificent ! A quintessential summer bug.
Looks like someone took a bite out of one of those wings.
We just saw “Black Swan” and the wings on this lovely creature remind me of some of those flowing gestures.
Thanks Lorenz. Funny you should say that – one of my criteria for selecting a picture is the sense of dance movement.
Magnificent detail !
Such a neck ! Very pretty pose.
What a lovely photo. I really like the detailed view of the head.
Guy
Hi
What a neat shot it the Cuckoo is not a bird I see posted a lot, it is really giving you the eye.
Regards
Guy
Nice Picture. Did you use flash extender to shoot this photograph?
Thanks.
Hi Kaylan, Thanks for your comments. I used a better beamer on my Canon flash which may be what you are referring to as a flash extender. It does a similar function.
Thanks for your comments Guy. I was happy to get this shot. It seems there were two Yellow-billed Cuckoos in Central Park last week. They are very shy and are heard more than they are seen.
Hi Laura, Thanks for your quick response. I have one more question. Did you use tripod for the shot or was it a handheld shot. Photographs published here are beautiful.
Thanks.
Hi Kalyan,
I did use a tripod for this shot. Thanks so much for visiting my site.
magnificent catch ! nice smoothe gliding moment.
Gorgeous ! You could almost count those scales.
Thanks Lorenz – it is amazing to think that the colors are comprised of scales.
Thanks Lorenz – I was happy to get this one!
Hi Laura
Wow what a photo I love the traces of blue. Just great.
Thanks
Guy
Thanks Guy – I really love to take pictures of birds in flight.
Fantastic timing ! and what a pretty critter.
What a sweet little bird! I wonder what she’s thinking?
She was in the right place at the right time and about 50 shots later I was able to present perfect timing.
This is a White-throated Sparrow. Great pic.
Thanks Ed, Right you are! This is now a White-throated Sparrow.
Fantastic! I take photos of red-tails in NYC as well and just love this series of posts of yours. I just got the same camera kit you used (Canon EOS 7D and Canon 100-400mm lens). Best of luck to you to find more red-tails! They’re migrating now so you have plenty of opportunities. My hawk photos are here: http://rogerpaw.blogspot.com/
All the best,
RP
Hi Laura
A really nice selection of ducks.
Guy
Hi Laura
A lovely image you really captured the personality
and classic pose of the Nuthatch.
Guy
Hi Guy,
Thanks for your comment. This Nuthatch was very cooperative in front of the camera.
Laura
Hi Laura
A great shot, I did not realize you could see wild turkeys there.
Best wishes for Thanksgiving.
Guy
Just used this picture to identify a woodpecker I took a picture of! It’s harder to take a picture thru the window with the bird moving from branch to branch on a magnolia which has lots of branches:-)
Thanks, David
Hi Laura ,you have a great site and a great talent..I noticed that you are getting some photo,s with a canon7d /canon100-400. It excites me to see this as I just got one for Christmas. I am into birds and fur-bearers,bears ,bobcats,fishers,fox and coyote,etc. Gonna get busy as the winter progresses… Keep up the goos work and send me a line once in a while… may God bless you Gary greene
Hi Laura
You are getting some great photos in Florida I really like the Wood Stork it is such an impressive bird.
Regards
Guy
Hi Laura
I just love the colouring you captured. What a striking bird when it is seen with this much detail and definition.
All the best.
Guy
Thanks, Guy.
The bird was in perfect light and grand feather. Laura
Hi Laura
The colouring on this shot is wonderful. I love the brown and blue of the water as a background to all the shades of brown and grey in the gull’s wings.
Guy
Hi Laura
A grey shot, the delicate feathers on the breast really show up nicely. Beautiful detail.
Regards
Guy
Thanks Guy. I had perfect light that let me capture all of the details of this beautiful bird.
Thanks Guy. One of my favorite things to do is to walk to the East River and take pictures of the many Gulls that frequent Stuy Cove.
Hi Laura
This is just an outstanding photo of a pintail.
Guy
Thank you guy. I am trying some different processing techniques.
Hi Laura
Lots of lovely photos of birds in flight, great work.
Swallows are always beautiful with their sleek streamlined shape.
Regards
Guy
Hi Laura
I love the Green-Winged Teal the colour patterns always strike me as so unlikely.
Guy
Laura
I’ve written a book on tidal wetlands to be published by the University of Massachusetts Press in 2013 and am looking for a few photos of salt marsh birds for a one-page figure. I found your clapper rail photo online and thought it would be great to show it with the other bird photos I have. Would you be willing to let me use it for this book (Tidal Wetlands Primer)? I’m also looking for a photo of the salt marsh sharp-tailed sparrow.
Thanks for your consideration.
Ralph Tiner
This is a great photo! I’ve never seen a bird like this on Fort Myers Beach. Such character! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for your comments. I love photographing on Ft Myers Beach. It is a great destination for me.
thanks for the id!! we saw them this morning and found this on google images for new york butterflies. now we have a name for it. funny it is called red.
What a variety of notes !
and so clear
Thank you Laura
Its a great pleasure to hear it
Corinne
Thanks for your comments, Corinne. It is amazing how complex some of the bird songs are. I plan to include more birdsongs with my posts.
Went to see the warblers in Flowering Peach Hill Park in Poughkeepsie last weekend; I sure heard them but wasn’t quick enough to see. By the way, no peach trees in that park because they replaced them with an orchard of apple trees. So lovely to walk around following all the songs in the trees. Thanks for this song, Laura.
It is great to be able to identify the birds by their songs. I am glad these posts are helping you. Thanks JK
Hi Laura
One of my favorite wablers, and with an ant no less.
What a beautiful photo.
Regards
Guy
Hi Guy, It is one of my favorite Warblers also. Thanks for your comments. Nice to hear from you. Best, Laura
Adorable! 🙂
May I use this picture as an avatar?
Yes, you may. Is there anyway you can give me credit for the picture and/or link back to my blog?
I am glad you enjoy the picture.
Hi Laura
Boy what a great shot of the Black-crowned Night Heron you captured it beautifully.
Guy
Hi Laura
A great shot of the Orchard Oriole your posting really inspire me to work on my own bird photos.
Thanks
Guy
Thanks Guy, I got really luck with this shot. And yes you should work on your own bird photos.
Warm regards,
Laura
I have gotten quite a few shots on this particular log at Big John Pond at Jamaica Bay. It is in really nice proximity to the blind.
Thanks for your comments, Guy.
Cheers,
Laura
Hi Laura
What a lovely photo.
Guy
Wow what a wonderful photo.
Thanks
Guy
Hi Laura
This is the photo I was trying and failing to take all last week.
Beautifully captured.
Guy
Hi Laura
What a photo everything was perfect, the detail, the colours in the wasp and the flower.
Perfect
Guy
Please send me phone # so i may speak with someone about purchasing ‘Northern Male Cardinal’ on snowy pine pic. my # is 269365298. Thank you!
What a sound! Like a squeaky mattress. Thanks for all these wonderful creatures.
And let’s protect Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge from the Rockaway Lateral Pipeline. (More info at http://www.facebook.com/carpny)
JK
Thank you for such beautiful pictures. I did learn some info about the red bellied woodpeckers.. I have a family of them in the tree outside my window. My cats and i bird and wildlife watch every morning..You pictures are beautiful. Have a nice day… :=))
Thanks JK – much appreciated
Hi Laura
Now that is a cool photo.
Guy
Thank you for your request. You can purchase any of my pictures on my site http://laurameyers.photoshelter.com/
Best,
Laura
Thanks Guy.
Hi. I have one or two in the my back woods – I know they have a distinctive sound but I just saw white under the head area. thanks. this confirms my answer.
What a cute voice this little guy has, and a tiny body, and to think he (and she) can swim all that distance from the Northeast way down the ocean. I am just amazed by the power of the natural world. Even of its small wonders.
Hi Laura, I have a blog with about 40 or so unique visitors, most of whom are my family, about my journey to becoming a beekeeper. Would it be alright to use your photo of a yellow jacket for a new post I’m working on about different types of bees? I found your fantastic picture via google images. I will certainly cite your work and of course leave the watermark.
Hi Audrey, Yes you are welcome to use this picture for your blogspot. Good luck with your beekeeping!
Hi Laura
Your photos of the Kestrel are outstanding it was nice you could get that shot from your terrace.
Regards
Guy
Hi Laura
I always enjoy seeing someone transform a fairly commonly seen bird into a creature of such unexpected beauty.
Thanks
Guy
I made a watercolor painting based on your photo (it’s a Christmas present for my dad): http://ohshitimingradschool.tumblr.com/post/37747004384/northern-flicker-watercolor-based-on-this-photo
It’s a great pic 😀
Nice watercolor! Thanks for the link.
Hi Laura
What a glorious photo.
All the best.
Guy
Hi Laura
I love the detail and the delicate colours.
Wow.
Guy
Hi Laura
Oropendola are such neat birds I just love the nests. This is a beautiful photo.
Guy
Hi Laura
Wow a beautiful striking bird but it sure looks like it has been around. You got wonderful shots in the tropics.
Guy
Hi Laura
This is a lovely photo you captured this beautifully.
Guy
Hi Laura
We saw Tanagers in Trinidad they are such neat birds. I love all the different species and beautiful colours.
Regards
Guy
Thanks for your comments Guy. I do love photographing the various Gulls.
Hi Laura
I love the detail on this photo, the feet are wonderful.
Guy
Wonderful picture!
Hi Laura
What a wonderful photograph. I cannot believe the detail.
Guy
Hi Laura
I alwyas enjoy a really beautiful photo of a common bird it just really makes you rethink the animal’s place in the order of things and in this case especially appreciate their personality.
Regards
Guy
Hi
I have been seeing and photographing lots of Crosssbills this winter, this is a wonderful photo. It really captures the delicate beauty of their markings and feather patterns.
Regards
Guy
Thanks for posting this beautiful shot . It helped me ID the three in may yard today. March 9, 2013, Sharbot Lake Ontario.
These are beautiful photos. I love pictures of birds in flight. You are an amazing photographer.
Hi Jane, Thank you for your comment. I do really enjoy capturing birds in flight.
Hi Laurie
This is an outstanding pose.
Regards
Guy
Hi Laura
Lovely detail on this photo you can really enjoy all the colours and the markings of the feathers.
Regards
Guy
Hi Tom, Good spotting. I did some poking around and believe it my be a hybrid between a Snow Goose and Domestic Goose because there is a faint orange eye ring on this bird that is found on the Domestic Goose and the body shape
Hi LauraI alwyas enjoy a relaly beautiful photo of a common bird it just relaly makes you rethink the animal’s place in the order of things and in this case especially appreciate their personality.RegardsGuy
Hey Linda I got one of those feeders last fall, and that darn red squreril ripped right thru it!!!Love the Nuthatches they are also kind of bossy at the feeder!!now a question I reposted an old blog, by changing the published date but it is not showing up on my followers blogs any ideas??? Maybe I should just post favorite pics..and forget about posting the old blogs in a quandry.. HELP!!!Cheers!Linda )
The pictured Hooded Merganser is an immature male, not a female. Note the yellow eyes and all-dark bill, both indicative of an immature male.
I was searching for Merganser photos, and when I saw this one mislabeled, I thought you’d want to know.
brilliant
Hello. I recently had a pair of these birds carved for me. I’m not surprised you needed a 400 mm lens, these birds are impossible to encounter up close. Well done