Photographing Fall Colours

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Fall colours in Algonquin Provincial Park are simply an amazing sight.

When it comes to photographing landscapes, fall colours are my favourite. For the past two years, I’ve been fortunate to be in Algonquin Provincial Park for the entire colour change process including the peak. I’m not well-traveled by any means but think one would be hard-pressed to find more magnificent fall colours anywhere else.  

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This incredible view can be found on Highway 60 just east of Source Lake.

The Highway 60 corridor is a great place to see these incredible fall colours. Looking across Tea Lake and Lake of Two Rivers at the rolling hills of deciduous trees reveals a kaleidoscope of colour. Finding a safe spot to pull off this busy highway can be a challenge but there are several spots where doing so can be done. Just east of Source Lake there is a large pull-off overlooking a creek and beaver dam which is one of my favourite places to stop. Booth’s Rock and the Lookout Trail offer some amazing views if you are looking to incorporate a hike into your colour-seeking adventure. 

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Each of the last two years I’ve enjoyed the fall colours on the secluded lakes of Algonquin’s backcountry.

Getting off the beaten path and enjoying these amazing vistas in more secluded locations is what I prefer. Therefore, paddling and portaging into many of the smaller lakes is where I focus my attention. Words can’t describe my feelings when experiencing these incredible sights in solitude while hearing only the sounds of nature. The calming effects of this practice have a lasting impact and combined with paddling and portaging the benefits to my physical and mental health are immeasurable.         

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A 10 stop neutral density filter is a great addition to your bag if you are looking to photograph waterfalls. These filters reduce the amount of light reaching your camera’s sensor which allows you to shoot at a much slower shutter speed resulting in milky white water. Using a tripod is a must in these situations to achieve a sharp image.

When it comes to equipment for photographing fall colours, I like to keep it simple. I use my backup camera which is an old Canon Rebel T3i. The reason for this is so I can keep my main camera body, a Canon 7D at the ready with my Tamron 100-400mm lens attached in case I come across a loon, moose, or any other wildlife. I used to only carry one camera and switch between my landscape and wildlife lenses but missed too many shots while fumbling to swap lenses, hence the two cameras. 

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Photographing fall colours from the solitude of my pack boat is something I thoroughly enjoy.

As far as lenses go, this too is simple and inexpensive. Most of my images are taken with an 18-55mm kit lens, but I also carry a 55-250mm for more distant scenes and a 10-18mm to cover a wider spectrum. To carry this gear I use a Lowepro Flipside 200 backpack. This keeps my lenses at the ready and the flipside feature makes changing lenses effortless without having to take the pack off. This compact backpack has plenty of room for accessories like spare memory cards, batteries, lens cleaning equipment, maps, a water bottle, and even a tripod. 

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A foreground element adds depth to the image.

Camera settings for photographing fall colours are pretty straightforward. Since I am not dealing with a moving subject I can get away with a much slower shutter speed than when I am photographing wildlife. I follow the reciprocal rule for choosing shutter speed. What this means is I want my shutter speed to be 1/focal length. Following this rule virtually eliminates shake when handholding a camera. So for my kit lens shooting at say 50mm, I want my shutter speed to be at least 1/50. Keep in mind that on windy days you may encounter a moving subject as the leaves and branches dance in the wind. If this is the case a faster shutter speed will be required to eliminate motion blur. 

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Mid-moring on calm days is when I find it best to capture the fall colours reflecting on the water.

I keep my ISO as low as possible and find most days I shoot at ISO 100. On windy days or in low light I will increase this to 200 or 400 but rarely higher.  

Shooting at a narrower aperture (a larger number) adds more depth to an image and keeps more of the frame in focus; therefore, I usually shoot at f/8 or narrower and often find I am most happy with the results I get at f/11. 

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More reflections from Algonquin photographed with my Canon Rebel T3i and 55-250mm lens.

To keep things simple, I use aperture priority mode as the camera calculates part of the exposure. With me selecting ISO 100 and f/11 the camera then determines the corresponding shutter speed and on most days this falls within the parameters of the previously mentioned reciprocal rule. I can then use exposure compensation to fine-tune my exposure by watching my histogram and exposing for the whites or highlights which in most cases are the clouds. By doing this I capture all the detail within the clouds in-camera. 

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Following the rule of thirds, I strategically placed my pack boat in this image. 

After exposure composition is the second most important element to an image. This is where the rule of thirds comes in. Imagine your scene has a set of horizontal and vertical lines running across it like a Tic-Tac-Toe board. These lines divide the landscape into thirds both horizontally and vertically. When framing your image you want to line up your subject on one of these imaginary lines preferably where they intersect. This could be a tree, rock, the sun, or any other object in the picture. Adding a foreground element at these intersecting lines will add depth to the image. If you shoot in live view looking at your scene on your camera’s LCD you can turn on the grid which will give you the lines as a reference. Keep in mind shooting in live view uses more battery power, so carrying a spare is a good idea.

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In my opinion, mid-morning is the best time to photograph fall colours. I find the colours to be true and on calm days the reflections on the water are best at this time.

Personally, my preferred conditions for photographing fall colours are sunny days with a mix of fluffy white clouds. The colours really pop against the blue sky while the clouds add detail to the sky. I like mid-morning the best as I find the colours are true not like during the golden hour or sunrise and sunset. Cloudy, rainy days can be good too as the colours against dark gray clouds convey a completely different mood. 

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Heavier, darker clouds convey a different mood.

Knowing when the leaves are changing in a given area is key to getting the best images. For this, I use the website Fall Colours at Ontario Parks. By looking at the information from the provincial park nearest my area, I can get a pretty good idea of how the colour change is progressing and plan my outings accordingly. Now that I am back in London I look at the information for Pinery Provincial Park and Port Burwell Provincial Park and see that we are only at 20% to 40% leaf change down here. This tells me it will be another week or two before the fall colours peak in Southwestern Ontario. In the meantime, I’ll keep an eye out for potential landscapes that might look good when the leaves change while I’m out and about photographing other subjects and return once the leaves are more colourful. 

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Leading lines like this fallen log and reflections navigate your eyes through a photo.

The fall colours may have already peaked to our north, but for us in Southwestern Ontario, the best is yet to come. Fall is such a great time to be outdoors and hopefully, this post helps you in your quest to capture the incredibly colourful leaves Mother Nature gives us. 

Good birding,
Paul 

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I Love It When A Plan B Comes Together

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Having a plan and in this case, a plan B helped me achieve my dream of seeing a moose in the water.

Whenever I head out for a day of photography I always have some sort of plan for how I am going to approach the day. This plan is never too elaborate and doesn’t take much time to put together. Usually, it’s nothing more than where I am going to go and my direction of travel once I get there based on light and wind. If possible I want the light at my back as this makes for easier views and better images and those of you who have followed me for a while know I almost always search in areas protected from the wind.  

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The moose on the left I believe is a young bull born last year.

My plan on this day was to revisit a lake in Algonquin Park I had paddled the previous week where I saw a cow moose and her two young calves. On my initial outing, I enjoyed nice views of this trio but failed to capture any images as I was too far away. The wind was forecast to be strong out of the northwest but thought if I hugged the shoreline I would be protected and end up at the far end of the lake right where I had seen these moose previously.

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The soft mud at the edge of the river caused the moose’s legs to sink in making it a challenge for them to exit the water.

Arriving at the lake the wind was due north and the waves were crashing in on the beach at the launch area. Paddling for several kilometers into this headwind was going to be no fun so I knew I needed to come up with a plan B. 

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Here the moose on the left sunk all the way to its hips.

One thing about Algonquin is there is no shortage of lakes, so I decided to go to a lake on the other side of the road. The wind there would be offshore and I could safely and easily make my way into a narrow, slow-flowing river that joined another small lake.  

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After freeing his back legs his front legs then sunk in the mud.

After unloading my canoe and filling it with my gear and Molly, I began paddling for the river. The wind at my back helped push me along and this close to shore there were no waves. Entering the river there were few American Black Ducks on my left resting on a fallen tree. These ducks may not be the most colourful waterfowl but for reasons I’m still not sure they’re one of my favorites. After a few pictures, I continued down the river. 

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Finally, the moose found a bottom that would support their weight.

As I made my way downriver, I could hear loud splashing in the water behind me. I looked over my should and saw two moose entering the water. Seeing a moose in the water from my canoe has always been a dream of mine so this experience was incredible. I quickly raised my camera and began taking photos as the moose proceeded to drink. I believe this was a cow moose with a young bull born last year as he was bigger than other calves I’ve seen but not as big as the cow. The two watched me as I watched them and they didn’t seem overly concerned about my presence but did keep a close eye on Molly. 

I captured a video of the two moose swimming across the river which you can watch on YouTube below. 

What happened next was truly amazing. The two moose swam across the river to the other side. Almost effortlessly they crossed but once on the far side began sinking in the mud. The mud was too soft to support their weight and they quickly sank to their knees. It was a little difficult to watch these amazing creatures struggling to get out of the water but it didn’t take them long to get their footing.   

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Molly was surprisingly composed throughout the whole experience, much more than I was.

I think the soft mud must have been too much of a challenge for these moose as not long after crossing the river they entered the water again and swam back across to where they came from. Watching this from about 40 yards in my canoe was an awesome experience and one I’ll never forget. I was impressed with how calm Molly was as she really didn’t care about the moose which is surprising as she is normally fascinated with creatures larger than her. She glanced over as the moose splashed but that was about it. She gets much more excited from the back seat of the car when we stop to see moose at the side of the road. When hiking if we come across deer she often gets so excited she lets out a loud bellow that sounds like a cross between Chewbacca from Star Wars and a bull Elk bugling. On this occasion, merely a brief head turn. 

Continuing further down river another moose came into view grazing in the tall vegetation. This moose was much more skittish and quickly hightailed it back into the forest. 

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With a fast shutter speed, I captured this image of a loon resetting its wings after preening.

Exiting the river, I made my way into a protected bay on the next lake. Here, I had great views of a loon as it splashed around and preened. I find the loons in Algonquin very curious and they often swim over to my boat shortly after coming into view. I have had some incredible views over the past two seasons as many of these birds have come to within a boat length while I watch and photograph quietly. 

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Many of the loons I’ve encountered approach me in my boat resulting in up-close views.

All the images in this post were taken with my new Tamron 100-400mm lens. I love this lens as it is incredibly lightweight (2.5 lbs) and I’m happy with the focus speed and image quality. The zoom range is perfect especially for larger subjects like moose and close subjects like the loons. I have found myself using this lens at 250mm or less on many occasions since coming north. 

As is the case whenever I am photographing birds and wildlife I like my shutter speed at least 1/1000 if possible. With slower moving subjects like moose and loons, I could get away with a slower shutter speed but given the fact I’m moving drifting in my canoe, a fast shutter speed is still warranted. On this day I had plenty of light so set my ISO at 400 and aperture to f/8 to give me a little more depth and detail which resulted in a shutter speed of 1/1600. On bright sunny days like this, it’s easy to blow out the highlights so after checking my histogram I adjusted my exposure compensation to -2/3 of a stop to retain detail particularly in the white feathers of the loon. 

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By carefully choosing my camera settings and exposing for the whites I was able to capture all the detail including the water droplets on this loon’s stomach.

Having a plan helps me get the most out of my time outdoors. As mentioned, my plan is nothing elaborate that takes weeks or days of planning. Often it’s thrown together the night before or the morning of an outing based on weather and wind direction and if the weather report happens to be off as was this case on this day it’s a good idea to have a plan B. With three moose and a loon seen on this adventure, there’s no doubt I’ll plan a trip back soon.

Good birding,
Paul 

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This Season Is Shaping Up To Be A Beauty Exploring Algonquin Park

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Last season, the Red Fox was a species I failed to photograph. This year, I’ve already managed several images of this sly animal.

I can’t believe I’ve been at my trailer for a month already. I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun. I’ve settled in nicely and developed a balance between work and play that is working out well as I have had time to do lots of both. 

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Bald Eagle photographed from my canoe while paddling the Madawaska River.

Choosing to start work at 4 a.m. allows me to take time later in the day for hiking or paddling and having the flexibility to make my own schedule is what I love most about my day job. People often question how I can spend so much time enjoying the outdoors and simply put I make time. Whether it’s starting early, working evenings, or even on weekends I do what is required so I can spend time in nature. This is what I love and keeps me healthy both physically and mentally, so making time for it is a priority.

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This Hairy Woodpecker and his mate excavated a tree cavity about forty yards from my trailer and are now nesting. I’m looking forward to watching them raise their brood this season.

During the recent warm spell, I’ve spent more time paddling than hiking. The breeze off the lakes keeps me cooler and photographing nature along the water’s edge is easier than shooting through a dense forest. My paddles have been rather strategic thus far as with Algonquin Park closed to campers the area is a ghost town. I’m using this to my advantage to find wildlife and am visiting areas where plenty of park-goers will be once the province opens up to campers. 

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With fourteen moose observed already, I’ve surpassed my total from last season.

My moose count this year sits at fourteen, which far surpasses my total from all of last season. In fact, it was later in the year before I saw my first moose last season. My best moose sighting was a cow and two calves at the edge of a lake. They were pretty far away, too far for photos, but I enjoyed the view with my binoculars and captured a short video which I posted to Facebook with my Panasonic Lumix camera with a 60x zoom. 

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I’m no biologist and my hypothesis would still need to be proven, but I’m willing to wager road mortality in wildlife would decrease if said wildlife would not stop for a dump in the middle of a busy highway.

Also seen in good numbers, have been Red Fox. Some mornings I’ve seen one not too far from camp and on several trips into Algonquin I’ve observed them beside the highway. One morning while on my way into the park I saw a fox running at the side of the road. I pulled over and captured a few images as it retreated into the vegetation adjacent to the gravel shoulder. After passing by it then darted back out on the highway and proceeded to cross. To my surprise, the fox stopped in the middle of the highway and pooped on the freshly laid asphalt before continuing across. 

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Common Loon covered in black flies.

Loons are one of my favourite birds to photograph and like last year I’ve come across them on most of the lakes I’ve paddled. One pair I found had a nest at the edge of the lake with a single egg that I could see with binoculars. People are curious to know how the black flies are up here and personally I don’t find them bad. That being said, I typically don’t get bit by black flies or mosquitos so I might not be the best person to ask. I’ve heard several theories as to why this is, but all I know is I am grateful for this. On one of my paddles, I came to within a boat length of a loon that was covered in black flies and I never had a single bite or even any swarming around me.

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Canadian Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies feeding on a pile of dung.

Last week, Canadian Tiger Swallowtail butterflies appeared in huge numbers. These yellow and black beauties are everywhere. On a day trip up the Oxtongue River, a large group of these butterflies was feeding on a pile of dung. Why do butterflies eat dung you ask? From what I’ve read, dung is rich in sodium and nitrogen two elements required for reproductions that flower nectar lacks. 

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Paddling up a narrow creek to a tiny set of rapids is something I really enjoy. The sound of the flowing water is so serene.

Since I last published a blog, I’ve continued to do more fishing than I did last season. With bass season still closed and having caught my fair share of pike, I’ve switched my attention to trout. Even back when I fished all the time I was never much of a trout fisherman. So far this year, my success trout fishing has been quite good. Armed with a few small Mepps and some Len Thompson lures I’ve managed to catch several Brook Trout in various rivers and Lake Trout on the larger lakes. I do enjoy eating the occasional fish, but find it hard to kill these amazing creatures so everything has been catch and release thus far.

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I caught this small Brook Trout while fishing on the Oxtongue River. To see my latest YouTube video featuring this catch, see the link in the paragraph below.

Speaking of Brook Trout, I uploaded a new video to my YouTube channel called Exploring The Oxtongue River where I paddle this beautiful waterbody and find a variety of birds, run a small set of rapids with my dog Molly, and catch a small Brook trout. 

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Loon shaking off the black flies.

I’m looking forward to many more weeks this season at the trailer enjoying nature and exploring new areas of Algonquin Park while returning to some old favourites. Based on my time so far, it’s shaping up to be another amazing season for sure. I look forward to sharing more stories from my adventures and the images I capture and appreciate all of you following along with me.  

Good birding,
Paul    

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Week One Is In The Books And What A Week It Was

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In my first week, I’ve already had an amazing encounter with a moose.

Late last week, I migrated north to spend another season living from my small travel trailer in the vicinity of Algonquin Provincial Park. This is the same move I did last year and loved every minute so was excited to get back up here again. With so many miles of hiking, paddling, and nature to explore I’m completely in my element here and would describe this as my happy place. Fortunately, my day job allows me to work from anywhere I can connect to the internet and my 20′ trailer provides me all the luxuries of home including a queen bed, kitchen with dinette, and a full bathroom. Amazingly, this small trailer has more storage than my first house.  

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White-throated Sparrow singing its Oh Sweet Canada, Canada, Canada song.

Arriving early Friday morning I was happy to see everything survived the winter. Setup was quick and easy and merely a matter of connecting the water and sewer hose, and plugging into the hydro. Following this, I put together my 12′ x12′ screen room which increases my space and gives me a place to sit outside to escape the bugs. Once again this year the black flies are almost nonexistent.  

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Many of the shallow bays I chose to fish were full of big pike. Unfortunately, I only managed to catch the small ones. Fun to catch nonetheless!

I didn’t have a real plan for the first week other than to get into a work routine and try to find a balance between work and seeking adventure. With pike season having opened a week earlier I did want to get out and do some fishing. Catching these large fish when they are still in shallow bays after spawning has always been something I have loved. Before getting so into birding and photography I was an avid fisherman in fact even more fanatical about fishing than I am birding. When I wasn’t working I was fishing or thinking about fishing, reading a fishing magazine, or watching a fishing show on TV. However, several years ago I lost the fishing bug, partly due to burnout, I spent a minimum of 55 hours in a five day work week driving a truck for a living so when the weekend rolled around the last thing I wanted to do was spend more time driving to the lake, and partly due to a back injury. This season I want to do more fishing and have already been out several times this week.

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Northern Parula

While making my way down a small river to the bay I chose to fish, I could hear the sound of several warblers singing from tree-lined banks. I always take my camera with me in my pack boat so was ready for any opportunities that presented themselves. For anyone who has tried photographing warblers, you know how challenging it is. Trying to photograph them while drifting down a river with the current is even more challenging. With my camera set to a fast shutter speed, I managed a few images. Along this stretch of river, I observed Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and Northern Parula. Not bad for a morning of fishing! 

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This Wild Turkey has been a regular behind my trailer and has provided me with great views.

Around my trailer, the woods are filled with the sounds of birds. If you like to sleep in and don’t like the “noise” birds make in the mornings you’d hate it here. The loud shriek-like call of the raven can be heard most mornings along with the constant drumming and calls of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, and Northern Flickers.  The teacher, teacher, teacher call of the Ovenbird has echoed from the forest from sunup to sundown all week. Magnolia Warblers have been quite vocal too. Another bird that is quite abundant here is the White-throated Sparrow. Starting my day hearing their Oh Sweet Canada, Canada, Canada song makes me feel incredibly patriotic and fortunate to live in such an amazing country filled with beautiful wildlife. A Wild Turkey is a regular behind my trailer and I’ve had great views of this bird both while having my morning coffee and while eating dinner.

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Red Squirrel

Mammal activity around the trailer includes Red Squirrels, chipmunks and on two mornings a fox has passed by. One morning while out for a short walk, I came across a fresh pile of wolf scat. Algonquin wolves are present in the woods where I am and I was fortunate to see them on several occasions last year, but I would love to photograph this species. Knowing there is one so close to my trailer makes me think my chances might be good this year.  

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Having this moose come to within twenty feet of me is an experience I’ll never forget.

Having success birding and fishing this first week it was hard to decide where to focus my attention when I wasn’t working. Keeping in mind the spot that had so many warblers present along the small river I decided to check out a few other similar areas on foot. These areas weren’t as productive but I had my best sighting of the week on the drive back to camp. Passing a boggy area my eyes were equally focused on the road and the bog. As I was about to exit the bog a large brown object caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. I quickly turned my head and to my delight, it was a moose. After looking in all my mirrors and checking over my shoulder I safely made a U-turn and parked on the side of the road. I exited my vehicle with my camera in hand and began taking images of this bull moose. 

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Unsure if this was his friendly face, I decided to step behind my car for safety.

After watching for several minutes, the moose began making its way out of the bog and towards me. I have to admit I was more than a little nervous as this animal was huge. I stepped slowly back in the direction of my car to use it as a buffer between me and the moose. The moose turned paralleling the road walking back towards the cedars. I thought this creature was going to retreat into the dense foliage but then it turned and came even closer. The moose seemed to want to cross the road but every time it was almost on the road I could hear traffic coming. Not wanting to see a moose/car collision I made noise and the moose would stop. I did this on three occasions. When there was no sound of traffic I kept quiet and the moose crossed the road about half a car length away as I stood behind my driver’s door ready to dive in and slam it shut if necessary. This encounter was awesome and one I’ll never forget. To be this close to such a massive wild animal was truly amazing. 

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American Redstart

As you can see it was an amazing first week back at my trailer. I sure hope this is a sign of things to come this season. I’m here until Thanksgiving and am looking forward to many more adventures and sharing my images and stories with you along the way. I hope to blog more from here than I did last year and am trying to leave time each week to do so. If you don’t already, follow me on Facebook or Instagram for daily posts from my adventures. 

Good birding,
Paul  

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Providing A Place For Hummingbirds To Nest

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Hummingbirds will be returning to our area very soon. Providing them with a place to nest is a great way to enjoy these aerial acrobats all summer long.

For as long as I can remember I’ve enjoyed building birdhouses. It’s hard to put into words the satisfaction I get from watching birds raise a brood in a house I built with my own hands. Over the years I’ve built many birdhouses in all shapes and sizes providing a place for a variety of species to nest. 

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Providing a safe, sheltered place for hummingbirds to nest is easy with this small platform.

Like birding, my dad introduced me to woodworking and I built my first birdhouse with him. In fact, my introduction to woodworking with him started when I was just two years old when I climbed a ladder all by myself onto the shed roof my dad was building at our new house. If not for my grandma yelling “Paul is on the roof with Russ” alerting my parents of my ascent who knows what would have happened. I would love to be able to remember the look on my dad’s face when he turned around and saw me sitting behind him. With supervision like this, it’s a wonder I saw three (I’m kidding Dad you know I love you). 

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With 1-2 broods per year, watching hummingbirds nest will be both entertaining and educational.

Following plans I’ve found in books or online to build birdhouses, I’ve had great success throughout my life providing nesting sites for birds. Swallows, wrens, robins, and doves are a few of the species that have nested in houses or platforms I’ve made. Recently I made a bunch of birdhouses and sold them through Facebook. The response I received was tremendous and people from all over reached out inquiring about the houses. Even followers from out of town were interested. I was happy to ship houses to them but the cost to do so was pretty steep. I wanted to offer houses for sale and be able to ship them without having to charge an arm and a leg to cover the cost of postage. As a result, I am now building and selling hummingbird nest platforms. 

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The shallow depression (with 1/8″ drain hole) and posts provide a place for hummingbirds to anchor their nest.

Hummingbirds are an exciting bird to watch at backyard feeders, so why not go the extra mile by providing a place for them to nest? Hummingbirds seek out sheltered locations to nest protected from wind, rain, and sun. My pine platforms can be mounted under the eaves of a house, shed, gazebo, or under a covered porch. The platform has a recessed bottom with two supports on either side allowing the hummingbird to anchor the nest in place. Once a hummingbird has found the perfect place for nest building, she returns to the same location year after year. Hummingbirds have 1-2 broods per year with a nesting period of 18-22 days. Adding a platform in a visible location will serve hours of enjoyment all summer long. 

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Hummingbirds are easily attracted to backyard feeders. Why not offer them a safe, sheltered place to nest?

If you want to offer a place for hummingbirds to nest, are looking for a birdhouse you may not already have or are looking for a unique gift idea for a bird lover, these hummingbird nestings platforms are a great idea. Measuring 6.5″ H x 4.5″ W x 4.5″ D I can ship these platforms for a reasonable price. With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day fast approaching let your fingers do the shopping. I’m selling these platforms for $35 each which includes shipping anywhere in Canada or the United States. 

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Side view of my hummingbird nest platform.

To purchase, simply click the add to cart button at the bottom of the page and checkout securely with PayPay. If you prefer to pay via e-transfer contact me for more details. I’m also offering porch pick up in London, Ontario at a discounted price less the shipping. Again contact me for details on porch pick up. 

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Hummingbirds are exciting visitors to any yard and offer hours of enjoyment for backyard birders.

Hummingbirds will be returning very soon and providing food in the form of a hummingbird feeder is a great way to attract them to your yard. Why not add a safe, sheltered place for them to nest with a hummingbird nest platform?

Good birding,
Paul 

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An Affordable Substitute For Those Expensive Hard Camera Cases

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Are you looking for an affordable hard case to protect your camera and lens? If so I highly recommend the Plano 1612 Field Box.

Ever since I bought my DSLR I searched for an affordable hard case to protect my investment. The problem was most of the hard cases I found at camera stores started at about $80 and in my opinion didn’t look like they offered much protection. To get something that looked well-made, solid, and would actually protect a camera cost in the several hundred dollar range. It seems dumb I know to cheap out on a case to protect an expensive camera and lens but I was hesitant to spend that kind of money. 

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A hard case is a great investment to protect your expensive camera and lens.

One day while shopping at Bass Pro Shops for fishing tackle I saw a display featuring the Plano 1612 Field Box. These hard plastic boxes were well-made, well-built, and well-priced. Being a fisherman I’m very familiar with the Plano name and have been using their tackle boxes since I was a kid. Over the years I’ve put my Plano tackle boxes through a lot of abuse with no issues. In fact, the only reason I’ve had to replace them is when I accumulate too much tackle and need a bigger box. Looking at the size of these field boxes which are designed for ammunition and other hunting accessories, I knew my Canon 7D, 100-400mm, and the soft case I keep them in would fit in no problem. Seeing the price I knew my search for a hard camera case was over. 

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Keeping my camera and lens in a hard case gives me peace of mind knowing that my gear is well protected.

I’ve been using this box for about 7 years now and it has done a great job keeping my camera and lens safe. The hard plastic protects against strikes to the outside of the case which is very useful when packing a carload of gear for vacation. I no longer have to worry about items I stack up in the back of the car damaging my camera if they topple over while driving. The hinge and latch are very sturdy and this box still looks like it did the day I bought it. Another handy feature of this box is the smaller storage compartment incorporated into the lid. This is where I keep a spare memory card, a lens pen, and any other small accessories I want handy. 

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The Plano 1612 Field Box is incredibly functional and can be used to store and protect a variety of items.

This case is so practical and functional its uses go far beyond hunting and photography. If you are looking for an incredibly affordable, well-made box to store almost anything, I highly recommend checking out this Plano field box. 

Good birding,
Paul 

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Familiar Faces Return To Southwestern Ontario

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The familiar call of the Red-winged Blackbird can once again be heard across the region.

Early spring is certainly an exciting time to get out birding. After all, now is when we start to see evidence of migration getting underway here in Southwestern Ontario with many first-of-year species observed. I look for my first Red-winged Blackbird, Tundra Swan, or Killdeer to signify migration has begun. For others, it might be the robin, grackle, or some other species of waterfowl. Fortunately, these familiar faces can all be found once again in our area.  

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Northern Pintails in a flooded field.

Throughout March I visited many of my favourite birding locations. The results of these jaunts were rewarding regardless of where I went. When searching for spring migrants in March wetlands are where I often first focus my attention. These habitats attract most of the early migrants and therefore should not be overlooked. Waterfowl, Killdeer, and Red-winged Blackbirds can all be found around wetlands. 

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Tundra Swans at the Thedford Bog.

A flooded field is often all that is required to attract Tundra Swans and other waterfowl to stop for a rest on their migration north. The shallow water provides a familiar setting while the remnants of last year’s crop replenishes spent calories. Once again this year I made my way to the Thedford Bog to see the thousands of Tundra Swans that stop here each year. To see some of the action from the Thedford Bog check out my YouTube video

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This lone Snow Goose was observed with a group of Canada Geese while driving to an area wetland.

When driving to places I am going to bird, I always keep my camera at the ready on the passenger seat as I never know what I might come across. A white bird mixed in with some Canada Geese next to a farm pond caught my eye as I drove to a wetland. To my delight, it was a Snow Goose. After slowing down and making a safe U-turn I stopped at the side of the road and snapped a few photos before carrying on.   

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Seeing a chipmunk on a sunny spring day always leaves a smile on my face.

Some wildlife that remains in the area year-round but has been nonvisible for several months have once again emerged. Chipmunks and several butterfly species have come out of hibernation and can be readily seen. Mourning Cloak Butterflies overwinter in our area as adults spending the cold months in woodpiles or behind tree bark and are quick to take flight on a warm spring day. Sunny forests are where I often find my first Mourning Cloak of the year. 

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The Mourning Cloak is the first butterfly to appear each spring.

As you can see it’s a great time to get out birding. With migrants trickling in and an abundance of resident birds around being outdoors surrounded by nature soaking up the sun is a great way to shake the winter blues. With so much uncertainty in our lives these days, many are turning to nature and the great outdoors to get through these difficult times. Personally, I haven’t felt the impacts of the pandemic as much as others have. I worked from home before and always spent time in nature to keep my head in a good place. If you are finding these times of isolation and closures tough, try spending time in nature. The fresh air and calming effects nature has are immeasurable. For me, seeing these familiar faces while enjoying the spring sunshine always leaves a smile on mine.          

Good birding,
Paul 

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How To Build A Birdhouse
For $10

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If you build it they will come. House Wrens are easily attracted to a birdhouse.

A birdhouse is a great addition to any yard or a great gift to give any bird lover. Sure you can buy one at your local birding store or online, but in this post, I’m going to share with you how to build one yourself for $10.  

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I’ve already observed many cavity nesters including chickadees checking out potential nest sites.

To build a birdhouse you need very few woodworking skills and only a few tools. This project is great to do with the kids or grandkids and can be completed in less than an hour. 

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Red-breasted Nuthatches are one of the many species that may use this house.

All that is required is a 1″x 6″x 5′ cedar fence board and some 1-1/4″ #6 wood screws available from your local home improvement store. Since the pandemic started cedar has been a bit hard to find and if so you can also use pine. You might even have scrap wood laying around your garage or workshop that will work. Just be sure not to use wood that is pressure-treated, stained, or painted as these chemicals are potentially harmful to the birds. 

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Downy Woodpeckers may also use this birdhouse.

The plan I use to build this birdhouse I found for free online and is actually for a winter roost box, the only difference is for a birdhouse you mount the front with the hole at the top. Those plans can be found here. Follow the instructions for cutting the wood and assembling the house. Painting or varnishing the birdhouse is not necessary and I recommend leaving the wood natural to avoid any potential ill effects to the birds from harmful chemicals. Cedar or pine left untreated will last many years.  

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I’ve used this plan to build many of these birdhouses over the years. I was very excited when Carolina Wrens raised a brood in one of these houses.

Over the years, I have made many of these birdhouses for my own yard and given several away to friends and family. The 1-1/2″ inch hole will accommodate a variety of species and I personally have seen Carolina Wrens, House Wrens, and Tree Swallows use this house. Other birds including chickadees, nuthatches, and even Downy Woodpeckers may use this house. 

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A few years ago I gave one of these houses to my sister who put it up at her cottage. Every year since she has had a pair of Tree Swallows use it.

When you are finished mount the house 4 to 8 feet off the ground and place it where it is out of prevailing winds or hot afternoon sun. It’s a good idea to put a birdhouse up early so the birds have time to find it and the wood can weather a bit. 

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Placing wood chips or cedar shavings (not sawdust) in the bottom of this house will help attract chickadees, woodpeckers, and nuthatches.

Watching birds raise a brood in a house I built myself is something I find incredibly rewarding. I’ve used this plan to build a lot of houses and this has been the most successful design I’ve tried. 

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With its 1-1/2″ hole, this birdhouse will accommodate wrens, chickadees, downy woodpeckers, and nuthatches.

If you are thinking about adding a birdhouse to your yard, are looking for a unique gift idea for a friend, or just want a fun project to do with the kids or grandkids why not build this birdhouse? The joy of the building process will far outweigh the time and cost of making it and watching birds raise a brood in it will provide plenty of enjoyment year after year.  

Good birding,
Paul 

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Waxwings At My Local Patch

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A large flock of Cedar Waxwings has been present at my local patch since late November.

Cedar Waxwings are named for their appetite for cedar berries as well as their waxy red wingtips. Finding waxwings can be easy if conditions are right. In the winter months, waxwings feed predominately on the fruit of many trees including the aforementioned cedar. Find fruit trees and you will typically find waxwings. Once the food is gone so too are the waxwings. 

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Cedar Waxwings in a honeysuckle bush.

I’ve been following a huge flock of Cedar Waxwings at my local patch since late November. If you are wondering what I mean by patch, you can learn more in my blog post: Patch Birding: A Splendid Solution During Difficult Times or watch my episode of Explore The Wild on YouTube Patch Birding.

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The waxy red wingtips are not always visible but can be clearly seen on this bird.

At my local patch, there are acres of honeysuckle bushes covered in ripe red berries. Honeysuckle fruit happens to be a favourite fruit of the Cedar Waxwing and consequently, a huge flock of waxwings has descended on my patch.  It’s actually quite impressive to see how much fruit these birds consume in a week and even a day. Having watched this flock for a few months now the birds move around the patch as they devour the food from certain areas. Each day the waxwings can be in a different location within the patch depending on food or wind. I hate to sound like a broken record, but those of you who have followed me for a while will know what I’m talking about when I mentioned the wind. The waxwings are always on the leeward side of the patch feeding on Honeysuckle. A can visit the patch on a Monday with a north wind and find the birds feeding on the north side out of the wind. The very next day, I can return on a south wind and guess which side the waxwings are on? You got it, the south side!  

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Having a large flock of Cedar Waxwings so close to home is something I’ve enjoyed very much this winter.

Using my ears and listening for their high-pitched whistles also helps me locate the waxwings. Often after feeding heavily the birds will roost high up in the surrounding deciduous trees. Hearing their calls I look up and see the birds. Usually, after waiting only a few minutes the birds will begin dropping down to eye level in the honeysuckle and resume feeding. This not only presents great views but also the best perspective for photos.

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The ripe red berries of this honeysuckle bush are the food of choice at my local patch.

Cedar Waxwings eat a wide variety of fruit and are not limited to honeysuckle and cedar berries. Mountain Ash, hawthorn, serviceberry, crabapple, and even holly berries are readily consumed by waxwings. Here in London, we have an abundance of invasive buckthorn trees and it’s not uncommon to find waxwings feeding on their berries. If you have invasive buckthorn on your property and are leaving it because it attracts birds, it’s a good idea to remove it and plant a native fruit-producing tree instead. Buckthorn is considered a starvation food for birds as it causes diarrhea and makes them weak. Buckthorn is typically consumed in late winter when other food sources become low. 

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Finding their food and listening for their call will help you locate Cedar Waxwings.

Next time you are out at your local patch, keep an eye out for fruit-bearing trees and an ear out for high-pitched whistles. If these are present Cedar Waxwings may be too. Remember to follow the food to keep up with the birds and you too will enjoy great views of these masked bandits. 

Good birding,
Paul 

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Tamron 100-400mm Lens Review: Does This Budget Friendly Telephoto Lens Deliver Quality Results?

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This Common Loon was photographed with my new Tamron 100-400mm lens.

Since late November, I’ve been shooting with a new Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD lens. I bought this lens to replace my Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens (the old version with the push-pull zoom) I’ve been using for wildlife photography since 2012. I’ve loved my Canon ever since the day I unboxed it. This lens has everything I wanted, long reach, fast autofocus, reasonably lightweight, and since I bought it after the Mark II version came out the price was much more affordable. I’ve taken thousands of images with this lens and it served me well over the years. Any images shot with this lens I wasn’t happy with certainly were not the fault of the lens. I planned to keep using this lens for as long as possible as I was completely satisfied with my investment.

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Cedar Waxwing photographed with the Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD lens. Camera settings: 1/1600 ISO 1000 f/8 at 312mm.

If I love my Canon so much why am I replacing it? In late summer 2020 on a hike in Algonquin Park, the autofocus stopped working. I checked the switches on the side of the camera, tried turning the camera off and on, and even removed and remounted the lens. Still nothing. I used the lens in manual focus for the remainder of the day and upon returning to my trailer I once again removed the lens and cleaned the contacts on both the camera and the lens. Still no autofocus.

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Achieving focus quickly on small songbirds is no problem with the Tamron 100-400mm.

I contacted Canon and they recommended sending it to their repair centre and they would give me an estimate to fix it. Not having $3000 for the new Canon 100-400mm and unsure about having mine repaired I began to explore my options.   

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At roughly 1/3 the price of the Canon equivalent the image quality and focus speed of the Tamron is quite impressive.

Looking at reviews on YouTube from other photographers I follow, I saw good things about both the Sigma 100-400mm and Tamron 100-400mm. These two alternatives cost roughly 1/3 of what the new Canon 100-400mm does. I was a bit skeptical about these lenses as I’ve never owned a third-party lens and to be honest the low price point scared me too. After watching several videos and looking at images taken with both the Sigma and the Tamron I had made up my mind I was going to get one of these to replace my beloved Canon but which one? I flip-flopped back and forth I don’t know how many times but ultimately decided on the Tamron for two reasons. First, the Tamron is constructed of a magnesium alloy including a metal mount versus the Sigma’s composite material which I liked better. Second, from the reviews I watched, the focus speed was reported as a bit faster on the Tamron.

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Quickly obtaining focus on a small nuthatch proved no problem for the Tamron 100-400mm.

A few days after placing my order, my new Tamron 100-400mm arrived at the door. After removing and discarding the outer packaging, sanitizing the box with a Lysol wipe, and washing my hands (we are in the middle of a pandemic after all) I placed it on the kitchen table for unboxing. As I removed it from the box it felt heavier than I expected as this lens only weighs 2.5 lbs but the build quality felt nice. I rushed downstairs and grabbed my Canon 100-400mm for comparison. The Tamron is slightly smaller in length, diameter, and weight although holding one in each hand the weight difference wasn’t really noticeable. As it was after dinner and dark outside I had to wait until the following day to put my new lens through its paces. 

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My biggest concern when purchasing the Tamron was focus speed. Having used it now for several months I am very impressed.

The next day I was treated to sunny skies and was excited to try out my new lens. I headed down to one of my favourite locations as I knew there would be plenty of birds present to photograph. My biggest concern with this lens was focus speed as I was used to the lightning-fast instantaneous focus of my Canon. After locating a few birds and firing some shots I was impressed with the focus speed. Does the Tamron focus as fast as my Canon? It is a hair slower, but honestly, the difference is marginal and night and day faster than a Canon 55-250mm kit lens. The Tamron focuses very fast. I did find on a few occasions the Tamron hunted for focus which did concern me. This was on account of the difference in close focusing distance between the Tamron and Canon and me getting used to the focus limiter switch. Now that I have grown accustomed to this I have no issues with the lens hunting.

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American Black Duck 1/1000 f/8 ISO 800 at 400 mm.

I watched several Bald Eagles fly overhead presenting great opportunities to see how the Tamron performed with flight shots. Raising my camera I could not get the lens to focus on or even find the bird in the viewfinder. I found this odd as I was so used to the Canon grabbing focus so fast. It was as if the lens was not focussing far enough to find the eagles. I tried zooming out to 100mm and was able to locate the birds in the viewfinder. I then zoomed in to 400mmm and tried to achieve focus. I fired off multiple shots of the eagles using this approach and looking at my LCD screen on the back of the camera it appeared I wasn’t achieving focus. I was getting better results with static birds but the results seemed inconsistent. 

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Common Loon photographed in Algonquin Park with the Tamron 100-400mm

When I got home I uploaded the images to my computer to see how they looked as trusting your LCD screen is never a good idea. Inspecting the images I took of the eagles in flight guess how many were sharp? Zero! That’s right not one. With my Canon (with working autofocus) I would have missed only a handful. To say I was disappointed was a huge understatement. As far as the static birds, I got some sharp photos but again the results were inconsistent. It seemed the lens was front focusing or focussing short of the subject which would explain why I could not reach the eagles and the inconsistency in the case of some static birds. 

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This Downy Woodpecker was photographed early on a cloudy morning. Camera settings 1/500 f/8 ISO 800 at 400mm.

There is an optional tap-in console available for the Tamron 100-400mm that allows you to connect the lens to a computer and fine-tune the focus and I was wondering if I needed this accessory. Not being very techie, nor wanting to spend the extra money on the console I contacted the seller and explained my situation. I asked if I needed to buy the tap-in console or if performing the focus adjustments in-camera, an option on my Canon 7D would fix the problem. The gentleman I spoke to said to try the adjustments in-camera as using the tap-in console was tricky and I could make things worse. He said if the adjustments in-camera did not work to send the lens back for calibration. 

 

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Portrait of a Common Raven

I did some Googling and researched how to perform the focus adjustments. I felt overwhelmed as again I am not at all techie. Surprisingly, this was easier than I expected. All that was required was pressing a few buttons on the camera and taking some test shots and to be honest less of a hassle than repackaging the lens and taking it to the post office. 

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Despite all the branches I was still able to obtain focus on this Merlin’s eye quite quickly.

The next day I headed back out to see how the Tamron performed after making the adjustments. Instantly I noticed a huge difference as the lens focussed faster and more accurately than the day before. Once again a few eagles passed by overhead. Raising the lens I achieved focus quickly. Looking at the LCD screen I could see a difference in image quality from the previous day and was feeling better about my purchase.   

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When I bought this lens, I wanted to be sure I could still photograph birds in flight. I am very happy with the speed and accuracy of the autofocus of the Tamron.

Curious how this lens would perform and focus on another camera body, I tried the Tamron on my Canon Rebel T3i. I am happy to report the lens focussed quickly and flawlessly. The focusing issues I had the first day seemed to be more with my Canon 7D than the lens.    

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Photographing Bald Eagles along the Thames River is something I enjoy very much and this lens performs very well for this.

I have been using this lens for a few months now and can tell you I have no regrets. I’m more than happy with the focus speed and accuracy. After carrying the Tamron around all day I now notice the one 1 lb weight difference between it and my Canon. 

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Americal Kestrel photographed during the golden hour wide open at f/6.3.

Something else I am pleased with is the Tamron is sharper wide open than my Canon. The maximum aperture of my Canon is f5.6 and I never shoot it wide open as I’ve never been happy with the results. The Tamron’s maximum aperture is f/6.3 and I can say I am happy to shoot at this aperture. Like all lenses, the Tamron is sharper when stopped down a bit so I do prefer to shoot at f/8 or f/9 when light permits but in low light conditions I am confident shooting wide open at f/6.3. I am finding I can shoot at slower shutter speeds with the Tamron than the Canon and I think this may be due to the fact the lens is smaller and lighter; therefore, easier to hold steady. We’ve had a significant shortage of sunshine so far in 2021 and with my new Tamron, I am getting more keeper images in low light than I do with my Canon.

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A small flock of robins has been overwintering near my home. In low light, early on a cloudy morning shooting wide open at aperture f/6.3, I am very pleased with the performance of the Tamron 100-400mm.

So what are the pros and cons of this lens? Let me start with the pros. Obviously, the price. At roughly 1/3 the price of the equivalent Canon or Nikon counterparts the Tamron is truly impressive. Is it as good as the first-party competitors? I can’t say as I have never used any of them (again, I own the old version of the Canon, not the Mark II) but for their price, I would hope they have something more to offer. Are they worth $2000 more? Maybe for a full-time professional photographer but me, I’d rather have the Tamron and not worry about putting food on the table for the next several months. 

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Photographing a Northern Cardinal at 1/250 is not something I would normally do. However, with the compact size and lightweight of the Tamron 100-400mm I can hold my camera and lens steady. 1/250 f/9 ISO 800 at 400mm.

The weight of this lens is another checkmark in the pro column. At only 2.5 lbs this lens is incredibly lightweight and a pleasure to carry around all day. If you are looking for a lightweight, easy to carry lens with a versatile zoom range and decent reach this is it. Tamron’s magnesium alloy construction is high-quality and this lens is very well made. Image quality, focus speed, image stabilization, and weather-sealing to protect the lens from the elements are more pros for this lens. Finally, the Tamron is available for either Canon or Nikon camera bodies depending on which manufacturer you shoot with. 

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If you are in the market for a telephoto zoom lens I highly recommend the Tamron 100-400mm.

Now for the cons. Clearly, the issue I had with the focussing is a con. That being said, fixing the issue was easier than I expected, and the issue was only with my Canon 7D and not my Canon T3i so perhaps the camera is more to blame than the lens. The only other con I can come up with is the lack of a tripod collar. This comes standard with the Canon and Nikon equivalents. For me, this is not an issue as I never use a tripod or monopod with this focal length lens plus the Tamron is so light it’s easy to shoot handheld. If you do prefer to shoot with a tripod or monopod a tripod collar is available as an option. 

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I am impressed in so many ways with the Tamron 100-400mm lens.

I am truly impressed with the Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD lens. Focus speed, image quality, and build quality far exceed my expectations. Its compact size and lightweight are other things I absolutely love about this lens. It is a pleasure to carry around all day. For me, this is the perfect lens for my run and gun style of shooting. The Tamron’s 100-400mm range is incredibly versatile and can be used for a variety of wildlife. If you are in the market for an amazing lens for taking on hikes and capturing wildlife in the 100-400mm range and you don’t have or don’t want to spend $3000, I definitely recommend the Tamron. After a few months with this lens, I have no regrets about my purchase and look forward to using the Tamron 100-400mm for years to come.

Good birding,
Paul 

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