JULY

EYE SEE YOU

Nikon D810 f8  1/1000 ISO 6400 Nikon 300mm 2.8


This month “Peter Rabbit” and I will take a sneak peek at birds bathing.  Many birds and squirrels come for a drink, but blue birds and robins are regular bathers at the birdbath, and a house finch comes by periodically  - my observations. 

 The robin flies in and immediately jumps into the water.  Other birds will come at the same time and wait for their turn to bathe.


Robin Taking A Bath                                                       Nikon D810 f8  1/1000  ISO 6400 Nikon 300mm 2.8

House Finch Challenging A Blue Bird               Nikon D810 f11  1/1000  ISO 6400 Nikon 200-500mm 5.6 at 500mm


Sometime the birds spend a lot of time washing and cleaning their face while waiting birds grow impatient.

How Long Will You Take?                                    Nikon D5 f5.6  1/1250 ISO 8000 Nikon 300 mm f2.8  1.4 Extender (410MM)

BlueBird Taking His Turn                         Nikon D5 f10  1/1000 ISO 8000  8000 Nikon 300M mm f2.8  1.4 Extender (410 mm)

 What I find most exciting is the way each bird left the bath to dry off.  Some flew into the trees while others fluffed their feathers on the fence.  As you can see some birds move to the side before flying off while others made a direct flight out of the water.

Robin Drying Off                                                     Nikon D810 f8  1/1000   ISO 6400 Nikon 200-500 mm 5.6

Robin Drying Off                                                                           Nikon D810 f8  1/1000   ISO6400 Nikon 200-500 mm 5.6


Blue Bird Leaving Bath                                        Nikon D5 f10  1/1250 ISO 8000 Nikon 300 mm f2.8  1.4 Extender (410MM)

A Fancy Blue Bird Exit                                        Nikon D5 f10  1/1250 ISO 8000 Nikon 300 mm f2.8  1.4 Extender (410 mm)

© William C. Smiley