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Day 19 - Nest-building
Day 19 - Nest-building
MaryO


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Collection: 30 Day Where You Live Jan 2008
Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: Sigma 100-300mm F/4.0 EX IF HSM for Nikon
Location: Alexandria, VA
Date: Jan 18, 2008
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/250
Galleries: Nature, Animals
Date Uploaded: Jan 19, 2008

Viewed: 391
Comments: 17
Favorites: 0

 I went to my very favorite local park yesterday and found this little sparrow building a nest on top of what I think is a small beaver lodge. There was extensive beaver damage nearby, though I have never seen a beaver at the park. Just evidence of them ;-)

The best part of the park is a boardwalk that winds through a wetlands area. It was horribly dry in late summer and early fall when we were having a drought, but it is nicely soggy again and the migrating waterfowl are back. Mostly I saw Greenwinged Teal ducks and Canada geese and sea gulls (don't know which variety), and a couple of Northern Pintails. Would have liked a nice shot of a Teal but they're skittish and kept flying away, straight into the setting sun.

Actually saw a Golden Eagle fly overhead last time I was there, but no such luck this time.

Hmm ... looking at the EXIF this should not have been so sharp; I must have been extra steady yesterday. I've been shooting with manual exposure a lot lately but I must be hitting something to reset it periodically 'cuz I never set it below 1/500 with the long lens on. Or my camera is playing tricks on me!

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AuthorThread
 01/28/2008 02:19:15 PM
Very nice - excellent exposure control. Great natural scene.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/22/2008 10:00:15 PM
well aint that just as cute as can be
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 01:01:36 PM
I like how the reflections seem to envelop the nest.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 11:08:26 AM
I love this! What a funny place for a nest. The color of the water is gorgeous.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/20/2008 03:38:47 PM
MaRY, YOU POST THE MOST AMAZING IMAGES! YOU WORK IN A GREAT PLACE & SO COOL YOU ARE GIFTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND CAN CAPTURE NATURE'S MOMENTS SO WELL!!

(oops sorry about all those CAPS there...)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/20/2008 02:50:42 PM
Beautiful water tones and very sharp foreground. I like your composition as well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/20/2008 11:32:33 AM
lovely nice too have wetlands to walk through
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/20/2008 01:34:55 AM
What a pretty little bird...she blends right in with her scenery..probably so the eagle won't see her as well. This is a lovely image, I love the detail and silkiness of the water! Nice lighting, too!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2008 08:11:38 PM
Beautiful shot, and perfect light and exposure. I see what you mean about the sharpness and shutter speed. Camera stability is the main reason that I use a monopod for most of my shooting. I like the results that you are getting with that lens.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2008 06:49:56 PM
i like how the bird is sharp but the water looks so soft and smooth in the background
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2008 06:28:12 PM
What a great find!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2008 06:09:06 PM
The little sparrow has the 2 white stripes on es side ofhis head.. Last time i saw them was in the fall.. We have many other sparrows but not this guy since fall..

Well seen..

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2008 04:44:25 PM
What a pretty little bird! The colors in the water make her stand out nicely.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2008 03:32:18 PM
How cute! I hope the beavers don't mind squatters. LOL
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2008 01:45:05 PM
Lovely - belongs in a nature magazine !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2008 01:35:10 PM
WOW .. stunning photograph .. so sharp .. such beautiful colours .. and the scene is brilliant .. i pretty much only shoot on full manual .. it gives you more control of the resulting photograph with the depth of field and EVERYTHING !! ..:)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2008 01:17:09 PM
This is so beautiful with the reflections and the nesting bird. The focus is right on and the DOF is great. I look forward to other photos from this magical place.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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