Experiments with Lenses and Birds

Yesterday I borrowed Elisabeths' Sigma 150-500 mm lens and attached my 2x adaptor to it for an experiment with lenses and distance ( with the 2x adaptor it gives me a 1000mm lens ) on my Nikon D50 DSLR Camera..here are some of the results in that endeavor to capture small objects from a longer distance and still get clarity.

As Always you can click on any photograph to enlarge for a much better view.

The first 4 photographs are of a cute little Carolina Chickadee that came to our feeder and I shot his photo from about 300 ft. away..he is very tiny and only about 4 1/2" long.

The next photographs ( 3 ) are of an Eastern Pewee ( a Sparrow sized Flycatcher )
Taken from around 1000 ft. away with the same lens set up as previous photographs.

 Looks like a "Bad Hair Day" for this little fellow.. ( Humor injected here )

This next photograph is of a White Crowned Sparrow that stopped at our feeder to have his photo taken...great pose..thank you

This Bird also stopped at our feeder..but as of yet I haven't figured out what species he is..he stopped by the feeder along with the above bird, but I do not think he is of same species...still researching..if you know the answer..please email me.

Thank you for stopping by my blog..all comments are greatly appreciated.

A day with my friend the Red Tail Hawk

My Post today is of my afternoon spent with my long time friend the Red Tail Hawk.

I walked out  to the garden on the hill behind cabin and noticed my friend sitting in a tree,so I went back into the house and grabbed my camera with my faithful 70-300 VR lens on it and proceeded to photograph my friend who so decided to cooperate with me and pose for me for a while before flying off to a more distant tree about 500 ft. farther away and then posing there.

The first photographs were taken just about 1000 ft. away from where I was standing.

As usual you may click on the photographs to enlarge for a better view.

The start of the shoot

Next..zooming up a bit closer

Caught him in flight just as he was leaving the first tree to one farther down the field

Still in flight..just as he was making the turn to land in the other tree.

Landing in the Pine tree

Taking a look around just after he landed

Adjusting his stance in preparation to turn around

Getting ready to turn

A bit hard not to fall off while turning

Getting his balance while turning

Finally turned and facing me now and continued to hunt for his lunch.

Glorious Sunrise

I looked out the windows this morning as I opened the curtains and just had to go out and shoot the Spectacular Sunrise and decided to share this great experience with you.

As usual you may click on any image to enlarge for a better view.

                                                           Super Sunrise in the East

                                                                  Sunrise in the NE

                                                               Sunrise in the North

                                                 Panoramic view of Sunrise in the South

                                                             Sunrise in the South East

                                                                    Sunrise in the South

                                                            Sunrise in the South West

                                                                 Sunrise in the West

Sunrise in the North East

I hope you enjoyed this wonderful Sunrise as I did

New Fall Colors

Today I am posting some more photographs  of some of our wonderful Fall Colors we get here in the Mountains of Western North Carolina.

Feel Free to click on any Photo for a larger view.

 View of Bald Rock Mtn. to our South East

        Another View of Bald Rock Mtn. just to the left where Students once left their mark.

                                          View of Sugar Loaf Mtn. to our South West.

 A view to the South where the Mtn. Top was clear cut to develop as new housing site( now not allowed to ruin the Mtn. top ridge profile)

Just across the road from us..a view to the SW

Hibiscus Flowers

I am going to post a few photos of some Hibiscus flowers that I took just outside of my friends Machine shop the other day with my IPhone camera.

Please feel free to click on any image to enlarge for a better view.

Balloons in Virginia

I recently made a trip to New York and back and on the way I stopped at a rest stop in Virginia, as I was getting ready to leave I stopped on the exit drive to get out and have a cigarette, Suddenly I noticed some Balloons in the sky and got in the truck and grabbed my camera to take some photographs.

As you can see they are in the distance and I was pleased that I had on the 70-300MM VR lens on my Nikon D50 SLR camera so I could bring them in closer.

You can click on any Photo for a bigger better view.

First sighting, only 3 balloons seen

As I photographed I noticed one balloon getting very low into the trees

 Here the balloon is getting way down into the trees and the operator is turning on the fire to raise it.

 After that one came up, I see the 4th balloon appear in the sky

                                                                  Balloon number 1

                                                                       Balloon number 2

Balloon number 3

Balloon number 4