Arizona- A Birding Meca

Arizona- The best way I can describe Arizona is Florida on steroids, I think of Florida I think of wading Birds, When I think of Arizona and Texas, I think of songbirds and Hummingbirds and plenty of them.

On this particular trip I joined Matthew Studebaker for an 11 day Trek throughout Southern Arizona, I was most appreciative of this invite as he asked me to help assist him on this trip as a research assistant. I had always wanted to see and photograph birds in Arizona, So I jumped at the chance.

 We based ourselves in the Green Valley Area, South of Tucson, The first several days of the trip was a scouting mission, where our goal was to locate various Owl species that inhabit this area in preparation of the arrival of a client from the Dominican Republic.

 Matthew had done thorough research on the area and through friends and others we had a good idea of where to look for target Owl species once we got there, Upon arrival we hit the ground running with target areas to check out, Days were long  at 14-18 hours in the field. but we were rewarded with 5 Owl species and countless songbirds and Hummingbirds.

Upon the arrival of Matthew's Client, we had procured good opportunities at a Great Horned Owls Nest in Saguaro Cactus, Thanks to Randy Wiley, A Gentleman who winters in the area and had knowledge of a particular GHO's nest, Thanks again to Randy for his sharing this opportunity with us, Randy was kind enough to actually meet me and guide me directly to the nest area.

This 1st Image is a pre sunrise Image where the Mother had just returned to the nest with the Owlets, there are actually 3 Owlets but only 3 can be seen here.

 This was taken shortly after sunrise and from the backside of the nest, The Owlets are pretty much non visible with mom taking precedence from this angle of view.

This image was captured after the sun had set with both parents actively calling to the Owlets from the field behind the Owls nest,  Mom is on the right and dad to the left.

Other species we photographed were Western screech Owl, seen here at dusk before leaving its home in a Saguaro Cactus

An Elf Owl  we located as well also in a Saguaro cactus,  but this one was out actively hunting in the area and photographed well after dark.

We traveled to the Miller Canyon area in far Southern Arizona where we were able to photograph the rare Spotted Owl, after a long drive and hike up the Canyon, Here at the higher elevations we encountered sleet and some snow.

We also spent an Afternoon at Bill Forbes place in Madera Canyon  where we photographed several varieties of hummingbirds and other species coming into feeding stations. The after noon light was amazing here, A very pleasant place to Photograph. Seen below is a Black Chinned Hummingbird

  A Broad Billed Hummingbird

  

A Magnificent Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Other species seen and Photographed at Bill Forbes place in Madera Canyon were The Acorn Woodpecker

As well as the Arizona Woodpecker

Black Headed Grossbeaks

Mexican Jays

Scotts Oriole

 

We also photographed at Bill Forbes place at Elephant head in the lower Madera Canyon area, there we seen species like Gilla and Ladder backed woodpecker, Gambell's Quail, Pyrlaxia and White Winged Dove as well as many others.

Towards the end of our trip we met up with Jim Burns, Jim was Instrumental in assisting us with locations all throughout our trip as well as meeting and guiding us to some  specific locations for unique species such as Elegant Trojan, Red Faced and Olive Warbler. Jim was an amazing person to be around his knowledge of the area was immnese and he greatly added to our success. Although we missed on the Red faced and Olive Warbler, we did manage several of our other target species... Thanks allot Jim, It was allot of fun.

We Photographed a Variety of other species in our travels as well, Ill include a few of them below.

Cactus Wren

Black Throat-ed Sparrow

Swainson's Hawk

It was an amazing trip. I believe I seen 49 new species and Photographed well 32 of them. I trip I will forever remember. Matthew Studebaker will be hosting workshops there in the future starting in 2014, anyone Interested should contact him, It will be a trip you will forever remember, He can be reached here matthewstudebaker@gmail.com

All in All Arizona was one of my most memorable trips in Avian Photography, Not only for the Birds I seen and was able to photograph but time with friends. A terrific experience, One I will forever remember!

Boundary Bay ~ Snowy Owls

I recently traveled to British Columbia to Photograph Snowy Owls. There I met up with Matthew Studebaker for a week of Photographing the areas Snowy Owls along the Salt marshes in the Boundary Bay Area.

We joined up with two other Photographers  Dick from Massachusetts and Joe from Georgia. Also Local Photographer Connor Stefansion shot with us on our first morning there and several times there after. His knowledge of the area led hugely to our success and also Matthews organization and pre scouting paid of big in allowing Images from the get go.

The weather was not in our favor with Heavy fog for the first 4 days of the 6 day trip. Light conditions and locating the Owls in the heavy fog and mist were challenging at best.

Upon locating our first Owl on a pleasing perch and creating some images, We quickly realized the fog created a mystique and sense of mood in our images that made them unique and different from the normal images you see. The Image below is one of the first Image we created from the area.

 

The fog remained heavy the entire Day making flight images impossible,  so the First several days we focused on creating pleasing static Images on interesting perches.

This next Image was captured at Brunswick Point also located in the Boundary Bay area. 

This time we were photographing this perched Snowy when another photographer was approuching from the opposite side we were shooting the bird, his presence caused the bird to fly allowing me to capture this image as it was lifting off tis perch.

As this bird flew off we monitored its direction and refound it a few hundred yards away as it re roosted on a beautiful piece if timber. I really liked this image from the trip with the leading lines taking you to to the bird, also the mystical fog creating a misty mood within the scene. We played with Compositions but felt this worked best.

Later that Day we once again Joined up with Connor Stefansion and also Jess Findlay, Both extremely talented young Photographers who both have won some great awards and accomplished allot in there young careers.

This time to locate a Barred Owl near his home, We  were not having much success then as we were leaving the bird appeared from the forest shadows allowing some great photo opportunities in the fading light of day. We visited this bird on 2 occasions, hoping to get some better light as the forests there are very dark with the tall conifers. 

We were able to create some great static images, I had to use a remote trigger as shutter speeds were in the 1/20th-1/40th area and even a 2 second timer would not stabilize the camera enough it seemed.  Here are a few images from the time spent with the Barred Owl.

We had a break in light which allowed for some diffused light 4 1/2 days into the trip, We then attempted some flight photography in the area of the snowy Owls moving from the marsh areas and bay to building tops of a tomatoe greenhouse located nearby.

 Here the Snowy on the rite attempted to land and disrupt the other bird from its perch, It eneded up roosting elsewhere.

We also had some fun opportunities with Short Eared Owls and Even a Barn Owl, The area was amazing for raptors and all owls. Truly an Amazing place!

This Barn Owl We happened to spot on the way In, It perched in someones yard, Matthew asked permission and the homeowner granted us permission where we were all able to capture some Images.

W even had some time to Photograph waterfowl, there are some tremendous location in the area with Burnaby Lake and Reiffel Bird Sanctuary all close by. The weather was not sooperative but we still managed some images.

Also with Connors guidance he turned us onto some resident Oystercatchers and Turnstone in the area, both life birds for me and new species to photograph. our time was limited but we tried to make the best of it.

All in all it was a terrific trip, I will certainly make it back at some point, the image opportunities are endless, I certainly appreciated the invite from my friend Matthew Studebaker, He has been a huge influence in my photography and I will be forever thankful.

Until next time!!! Dan

Ruby Throated Hummingbird Nest

What a tremendous experience it was for myself and 2 good friends Matthew Studebaker and Joshua Clark. To Travel to Gahanna, Ohio near Columbus and photograph this Ruby Throated Hummingbird nest located on the Big Walnut Creek Trail over the recent Labor Day Holiday Weekend.

The weather was looking fairly ominous upon our arrival, But as we located the nest we quickly realized we were blessed with an amazing opportunity, the light and skies began to cooperate for us allowing for nice diffused light and the 3 of us were able to create some great images of this late season nesting family.

The mother seemed to return every 30 minutes or so for a feeding, which seem to last about 15-30 seconds. An incredible privilege to see and witness. The nest the size of a golfball and made from spider webs and Lichens was nestled in the crook of a sycamore trees branch overhanging the creek, directly over Big Walnut Creek. Upon leaving the babies would flap there wings testing there ability to fly. We realized these birds were a day or 2 from fledging.

Our only hopes are there not to young entering into there long journey south, We have come to know the birds fledged less than 36 hours after these images were captured. We wish them well and will be forever be thankful for the opportunity to witness this nest along Big Walnut Creek, located in Gahanna Ohio.
 

Springfield Bog

With Summer upon us, Things have greatly slowed in the Avian world. However when it comes to Grassland species birds. Things are more active as their actively raising young at this time of year.

 At Springfield Bog, I joined up with 9 other Photographers from "Midwest Photographers Enthusiast Group" Owned and operated by Mark Perry.

Springfield Bog is relatively a new area and it's fast becoming a favorite, It's still in it's infancy and the birds are quickly locating  and recognizing it's potential. as that happens and the area matures, I'm confident it will be one of the better areas in Northern and all of Ohio for Grassland species.

Thus far Good numbers of Dickcissels, Grasshopper Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Indigo Buntings and Red Winged Blackbirds have located it, As we made these birds out focus for the day.

Thanks to Ann Gulbransen for taking this Image of several of the Photographers from the Group Shoot. Please Visit Ann's Website here> Photography by Ann Gulbransen
Here were setup on a Grasshopper Sparrow Capturing some Images.

Some results  we Captured of the Grasshopper Sparrow at this particular location

 

 

 We were also able to Locate a cooperative Male and Female Dickcissel within the grasslands, This is a nesting pair, We Photographed it briefly as to not overly stress the birds as they were actively raising young in the area.

Male- Perched upon Daisy Fleabane

 

Female- Perched on an emerging star flower

We also found a Cooperative Male Indigo Bunting, although starting to Molt, he Hit our perches with regularity and offered some great photo opportunities.

  I think everyone had a great time, I know I did, Its an exceptional area, appreciation goes out to Joshua Clark for reading about and sharing the area with myself and Friend Jim Buescher. I also want to Thank Jim Buescher for his help on this Groupshoot outing, He was great help in assisting with locating and bringing birds in for photo opportunities.

There both talented Photographer's and we shoot together fairly often.  I suggest you check them both out there websites and work can be seen as follows.

 Joshua Clark > momentsinature  

Jim Buescher >  Jim Buescher Photography

So next time your looking to shoot some Grassland species Birds or some Wildflowers and landscapes head to the Springfield Bog, It's sure to not disappoint!