Birds Eyes And Butterflies

This interesting closeup of this Ring-billed Gull was taken at Stuyvesant Cove on the East River in Manhattan. Ring-billed Gulls in many cases will winter at the same location every year and there are many Ring-billed Gulls that visit Stuyvesant Cove during the winter. It has become one of my favorite locations to photograph Gulls and this year cormorants.

The picture of this Black-capped Chickadee on hand was taken at the New York Botanical Gardens. The chickadee and titmouse are very “friendly” at the gardens and will respond if you put your hand out even if you do not have any seeds for them. I love feeling the life force in their little bodies when they are on my hand.

You can get a good look at the speculum patch on this female Mallard Duck in this picture.

The picture of this Blue Jay was taken at the New York Botanical Gardens. The picture of this Blue Jay was taken with the Canon EOS 5D mark III with the Canon 100-400 mm lens.

The picture of this White-breasted Nuthatch was taken at The New York Botanical Gardens. The picture of this White-breasted Nuthatch was taken with the CANON EOS 7D and the CANON 100-400 lens and the CANON 580EXII flash.

The picture of this American Crow in flight was taken at the Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

I love the challenge and beauty of capturing birds in flight. Black birds present their own challenge. The correct settings and light are essential. Being ready and focusing properly are the major issues.

A Bald Eagle flew over the Jamaica Bay National Refuge and over a thousand Snow Geese simultaneously took flight.

I don’t know which was more exciting the sight or the sounds of all these Snow Geese in flight.

For sound, please select the player below.

Snow Geese in flight Play Now | Play in Popup

The picture of this Common Goldeneye was taken at the Bronx Zoo.

The picture of this Common Goldeneye was taken with the CANON EOS7D and the CANON 100-400mm lens and the CANON 580EXII flash.

This is an adult male breeding Common Goldeneye with a lovely water drip.

The picture of this Black Capped Chickadee was taken at the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. The picture of this Black-capped Chicadee was taken with the CANON EOS7D and the CANON 100-400mm lens and the CANON 580EXII flash.

The picture of this American Robin was taken at the New York Botanical Gardens. The picture of this American Robin was taken with the CANON EOS7D and the CANON 100-400mm lens and the CANON 580EXII flash.

It is such a treat to be able to get a capture under “perfect” circumstances where the bird is close and still in good light. Then the picture takes itself. This does not happen that much for me. Of course it happens more often with birds that are more plentiful.