Some bird photography for a weekend (56k wait a while for it to load)

[Maestro]

I have to do something to relieve stress. Besides excerise, wildlife photography is it for me. I just wish I hadn't become interested in something so darn expensive.

Mallad drake and hen


Wood duck (drake)


Another bluebird....the focus is a bit soft here but I like the color and the pose of the bird.


Sparrow in willow tree


Killdeer and dandelion


Mourning Dove


Female Red-winged blackbird


Red Tailed hawk not happy that I am nearby

and so it bolts




But I found her again in the same place a few days later.


Even Mr. Turkey Vulture was posing for me.


Enjoy!

[fizzgig]

1. fantastic pictures

i love the killdeer

[Maestro]

6. Thanks.

The killdeer is actually what started my interest in wildlife photography. Here is my first wildlife pic. It's a killdeer on its eggs in my backyard. I took it with my old point & shoot digital camera.

[Maestro]

18. vanity kick for the afternoon crowd

:kick:

[bigwillq]

2. Those pics are so cool.

That hawk is amazing.

You're pics are always the best!

:hi:

[Maestro]

5. Many thanks....

:hi:

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. Those are great.

I like how it looks as if the hawk is peering around the branch at you.

[Maestro]

4. Thanks.

I've been pretty lucky with the Red Tailed Hawks in my area. They have put up with me for quite some time, but they never, ever let me get too close unless they are prey fixated like this one.

[Tsiyu]

7. There's my silly pup again, posting pics

:hi:

How did that dog get such a nice camera??????

Great shots, as usual, Maestro. I hope your nature shots soothe all the Lounge anxiety of late. They work for me!

[Maestro]

11. I need some soothing this week!

It all came to a head on Wednesday night while with my parents at our church. My father introduced me to some people I had never met. He introduced me and told this lady what I did for a living. I don't want to get into the whole bruhaha, but let's pretend I am a lawyer. She then responded with something along the lines of, "Well, just what we need, another lawyer." Basically she insulted me and what I did for a living. I lit her up and all she could say was that she didn't mean to upset me. Then I had it out with my parents because they did nothing to shut her up. Ugh! :mad: I'm okay now. The picture taking helps. Plus I am thinking about going to Big Bend National Park for some solitude this summer.

[Tsiyu]

17. Sorry

:hug:

You should have said, "Well, just what we need, another self-righteous windbag!"

Yeah, better to focus on summer.....:)

[driver8]

8. I love your picture of the bluebird...

They're all good, but I love how the background is out of focus -- it really sets off the bluebird's color.

I also love the Killdeer photo.

[Maestro]

12. That blurry background is called the bokeh.

It can be done by playing around the f-stops, aperture value, although some higher end lenses will also achieve this affect on their own as the lenses focuses on what it thinks is the center object. Thanks for the nice comments.

[KatyaR]

9. These are wonderful--I especially like the hawks.

I used to see a lot of hawks when I lived a bit further north and had to drive in to work everyday. Now that there's been so much development between Oklahoma City and Edmond, there's not so many hawks or egerts any more.

Keep posting more photos!

[Maestro]

14. I certainly will post more.

In the meantime, you can always view more here: http://Maestros.smugmug.com/gallery/2507626/1/131648423 Thanks for the comments.

[JitterbugPerfume]

10. these pictures are priceless

and well worth the wait (I live in dial up hell)

[Maestro]

13. I'm sorry about the wait, but

I'm certainly glad you enjoyed them. Thanks for the nice comments. I appreciate it.

[YankeyMCC]

15. I did enjoy thx!

And watch out with that Hawk lol

[Maestro]

16. They look pretty menacing, but I don't think they would

ever attack a human unless perhaps it felt that its young were threatened, but even then, I think it would just hold its ground instead of attack. They are wonderful creatures. I love raptors.

[sammythecat]

19. Somehow, each of your posts is more impressive than the last.

Gorgeous pictures! :thumbsup: You are very, very, good at your "hobby".

Suitable for Audubon.


on edit:
I don't know how big your collection is right now, but sometime if you'd ever put them in a zip file and post them here I bet some here would like to have them. I know I would. They're as good as any I've ever seen. And I also like how each photo has a plain description. We know exactly what we're looking at.

[Maestro]

21. You are far too kind.

I've seen what real wildlife photographers and except for a scant few, my photos are nowhere near what those people can do. However, I greatly appreciate your comments. I will definitely post more when I have some that are post-worthy.

BTW, if you want to look at my collection, you can always go to http://maestros.smugmug.com/Animals/265668 to look at some of my bird galleries. You can even purchase some of the photos if you like. I don't make a red cent from it, so I don't want you to think I am trying to sell my stuff, but you can purchase some of the photos if you like. You are basically paying the company that hosts my photos for the processing of the photos. I have used them and the photos are printed on nice photo paper.

Again, thank you so much for the nice comments. You make me feel good.

[EFerrari]

20. I didn't know that there were FEMALE red winged blackbirds.

Thank you, Maestro.

Every day when I walk with my dog, I get distracted by birds. Kestrels, sparrows, great big black ravens.

I wish I could do what you do, so I could see them again.

They own this hood. :)

[Maestro]

22. Well,

they don't have the red spot on the wings like the males but yes, there are female red wings so to speak. I mean, how would there be the males without the females? ;) :hi: Thanks for looking and the nice comments.