Six Easy Ways To Improve Your Macro Photography

During the summer months, I like to put down my telephoto lens from time to time and focus on shooting with a macro lens. With so many possibilities in macro photography, one doesn’t have to travel far to find a subject. I prefer to focus my macro efforts on insects as they are prevalent anywhere I go and are fairly simple to shoot provided I follow a few easy steps.

35084333444 40668d38ac o - Six Easy Ways To Improve Your Macro Photography — ***Shot with 60 mm macro lens, this uncropped image of a Monarch Butterfly demonstrates how close these amazing lenses will focus.***

1. Get Close

When shooting with a macro lens my goal is to capture as much detail as possible. Like any other any lens, the closer you get to your subject the more detail you will capture. Macro lenses are designed with a much shorter minimum focusing distance than other lenses which allows the photographer to get incredibly close. The lens I shoot with will focus at 7.87″ allowing me to get close enough to fill the frame with even the smallest insects capturing incredible detail.

14762749956 c42050f6dc o Edit - Six Easy Ways To Improve Your Macro Photography — ***Since most subjects in macro photography do not move overly fast, a lower ISO can be selected resulting in images with less digital noise.***

2. Lower Your ISO

In my previous posts and during my workshops, I encourage photographers to increase their ISO when photographing wildlife. This is because in most situations when trying to capture images of birds and other fast moving subjects a higher ISO results in and a faster shutter speed, thus sharper final images.

In macro photography, the majority of subjects including flowers and insects are either stationary or slower moving and therefore I can get away with a much slower shutter speed. In most cases, I find a shutter speed of 1/250 to 1/500 plenty fast enough to freeze the action of bees and other small insects as they crawl about gathering pollen and nectar. Depending on the amount of available light I generally shoot at ISO 400 or less which results in a sufficient shutter speed while leaving less noise in my final images.

35195142204 58d69328a6 o - Six Easy Ways To Improve Your Macro Photography — ***By strategically choosing my aperture I was able to keep my entire subject (the bee) in focus while blurring the coneflower background.***

3. Carefully Select Your Aperture

Depth of field is where I really struggled when I first picked up a macro lens. My subject was always out of focus due to choosing too wide an aperture. Ultimately, depth comes down to personal preference and capturing the image how you want it to appear. For me, when shooting wildlife I like the entire subject in focus from nose to tail whenever possible. There are two ways to control depth of field. The first is by changing your physical distance from the subject and the second is by adjusting your aperture (also known as f-stop). When I am photographing insects with my macro lens I want to capture as much detail as possible and typically shoot between f/8 and f/11 even when I am at my minimum focusing distance of 7.87″. This ensures the entire insect is sharp and in focus capturing the most detail, which is the look I am trying to achieve.

When photographing flowers or something more abstract, perhaps a more blurred foreground, background or even subject would be more appealing. In these cases selecting a wider aperture of maybe f/4 or f2.8 (remember smaller f-stop equals wider aperture) will achieve a more interesting image. The nice thing about photographing flowers and other stationary subjects is they aren’t going anywhere so take plenty of images at a range of apertures and see which one you like best.

14979325255 57fe232784 o Edit - Six Easy Ways To Improve Your Macro Photography — ***A pleasing composition is easily achieved by following the rule of thirds.***

4. Think About Your Composition

Composition is one of the most important elements of photography as this is what draws our eyes to and through a photo. Spending a few minutes before pressing the shutter and imagining how you want the image to appear is very important. Composition really can make or break an image so take the time to line up your shot. Just like any other genre of photography following the rule of thirds applies to macro work. If you are not familiar with the rule of thirds, simply imagine a grid similar to a tic-tac-toe board over top of your image. Try lining vertical subjects up with the vertical grid lines and horizontal subjects up with the horizontal lines. Ideally, you will place your subject where these imaginary lines intersect and in the case of wildlife, the subject should be looking across the frame. Many cameras allow you to turn this grid feature on displaying it on the LCD screen while shooting in live view to assist with composition.

IMG 3862 Edit Edit - Six Easy Ways To Improve Your Macro Photography — ***Shooting at eye level can capture a perspective of a subject we are not used to seeing.***

5. Shoot At Eye Level

Often times insects and flowers can be low to the ground. It is important to kneel down or crouch in order to photograph the subject at eye level. In most cases, an eye-level view will result in a much more appealing image than something shot from below or above. That being said, don’t be afraid to get creative. Sometimes the underside of a flower or bee with a blurred out expansive background can look pretty cool. I always wear clothes that I don’t care if they get dirty whenever I am out with my camera as I regularly find myself kneeling in dirt or laying on my stomach in order to get the best angle.

IMG 1167 Edit - Six Easy Ways To Improve Your Macro Photography — **Achieving the proper exposure in camera will ensure the most detail is captured.**

6. Check Your Histogram

This applies regardless of what you are photographing in order to achieve the proper exposure. On sunny days, flowers and insects will almost reflect the light which results in highlights being overexposed and a significant loss of detail. This lack of detail negatively impacts the final image. I get asked all the time “can’t I just fix that in photoshop?” In my opinion, “fix” is not the correct word to use in this situation. You can certainly change this by moving the highlight slider in post-production in an attempt to recover detail, but this will not result in the same capture of detail as checking your histogram and making the required adjustments in camera.

By shooting in aperture priority mode exposure compensation can easily be adjusted by a few clicks of the camera’s dial resulting in proper exposure and preserved detail. I personally don’t mind taking macro shots during the midday sun and typically shoot between -1/3 and -2/3 of exposure compensation to control the highlights and preserve detail. Watching for shadows is paramount to ensure the subject is well lit. Often waiting just a few seconds for the light to change or the subject to move, even only a few centimeters, can make all the difference in the world.

IMG 0482 1 - Six Easy Ways To Improve Your Macro Photography — **Canon’s EF-S 60 mm macro lens is an affordable option for anyone looking for a great macro lens.**

My lens of choice for macro photography is the Canon EFS 60 mm F/2.8 Macro USM. This lens is incredibly sharp and focusses almost instantly. The lack of image stabilization is not an issue for me and all of my macro images are shot handheld. If you are a Canon shooter and considering a macro lens, I would definitely check this one out. Just remember this lens is an
EF-S mount and only works on crop sensor bodies and not on Canon’s full-frame cameras.

15319888012 650de657f9 o Edit - Six Easy Ways To Improve Your Macro Photography — ***Macro lenses allow subjects to be photographed up close capturing detail otherwise missed with other lenses.***

I cannot say enough good things about this lens including the price point. Canon’s next model up in their macro series comes in at $300 more while their L series professional lens is double the price making this a great macro lens at a more affordable price. The focal length and wide aperture of this lens also make it a great portrait lens providing more bang for your buck; however, I won’t bore you with family photos in this post.

IMG 0579 1 - Six Easy Ways To Improve Your Macro Photography — ***This hatchling Snapping Turtle was only about the size of a toonie but with a macro lens, I was able to fill the frame and capture all the detail of its tiny shell.***

If you enjoy macro photography but are not seeing the results you had hoped for, give these 6 easy steps a try. A few simple adjustments are often all it takes to capture the image of your dreams.

Good birding,
Paul

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Area Wetlands Offer Outstanding Birding Opportunites

Each year throughout August I look forward to birding at area wetlands as several species congregate in large groups within these habitats. Wetlands don’t have to be overly big in size to attract impressive numbers of birds. Often times, small bodies of water including neighbourhood stormwater management ponds can be great places to bird. Wetlands provide all the necessities of life for birds making them quite appealing.

IMG 7432 - Area Wetlands Offer Outstanding Birding Opportunites — **Each August an abundance of shorebirds can be observed at the West Perth Wetlands.**

My favourite wetland to visit at this time of year is the West Perth Wetlands located in Mitchell, Ontario. Already this month I have made two visits and have been treated to excellent views of a diverse group of birds. The reason I visit the West Perth Wetlands each August is to enjoy the magnitude of shorebirds that stop over to rest and feed during their migration south. It may only be mid-summer, but shorebird migration is in full swing. On both of my visits, Lesser Yellowlegs were the most prevalent species but I also enjoyed great looks at Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, and Greater Yellowlegs.

IMG 8284 - Area Wetlands Offer Outstanding Birding Opportunites — ***Solitary Sandpiper.***

Birding at the West Perth Wetlands revealed more than just shorebirds. Several waterfowl species were observed including Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, and Northern Shovellers. Great views of Wood Ducks were also achieved, which I know will interest many of my blog subscribers, but before you get too excited these were all females with juveniles or males in eclipse plumage so no vibrantly coloured specimens to photograph. A lone Pied-billed Grebe was observed from the viewing stand adjacent the parking lot.

IMG 7656 Edit 3 - Area Wetlands Offer Outstanding Birding Opportunites — ***American Goldfinches observed feeding on the seed heads of various wildflowers.***

Wetlands are not limited to wading birds and waterfowl as many songbirds reside in the wooded areas that surround them. Red-winged blackbirds and American Goldfinches were the most abundant on my trip to Michell with Eastern Kingbirds, Cedar Waxwings, Grey Catbirds and several swallow species also recorded.

IMG 7201 Edit - Area Wetlands Offer Outstanding Birding Opportunites — **Throughout my adventures this year I have noticed an increase in the number of Monarch Butterflies.**

The West Perth Wetlands is also a great location for viewing and photographing butterflies. I am happy to report that on both of my visits impressive quantities of Monarch Butterflies were observed. In my experience, searching the wildflowers along the bank of the pond located in the southeast corner of the wetland is most productive for butterflies. Be sure to keep your eyes out for turtles and frogs as you circle the ponds. For more information and photos from the West Perth Wetlands please visit my blog posts written in previous years below.

The West Perth Wetlands: A Must Destination For Shorebird Enthusiasts

Shorebirds Abound At The West Perth Wetlands

IMG 8221 Edit - Area Wetlands Offer Outstanding Birding Opportunites — ***This Great Blue Heron was photographed from the line 31 bridge at the south end of Wildwood Reservoir as it captured a small fish.***

After hearing reports of a juvenile Little Blue Heron observed from line 31 at the south end of Wildwood Reservoir, I decided to make a quick stop here on my way up to Mitchell. These birds are rare to Canada typically residing in the southern United States. To my delight, the bird was present and I was treated to great views through my binoculars. This rarity was a little too far away to capture a quality photo, but for me simply seeing this species made my day. Also present here were many of the shorebird species observed throughout the network of ponds at the West Perth Wetlands as well as several Caspian Terns and Great Egrets. As I proceeded down line 31 approaching the bridge over the reservoir a Great Blue Heron walked across the road in front of my car while another one was intently feeding at the water’s edge. Cliff and Barn Swallows could be seen flying in and out from under the bridge.

IMG 7302 Edit - Area Wetlands Offer Outstanding Birding Opportunites — **Painted Turtles basking at the West Perth Wetlands.**

Local wetlands and stormwater management ponds revealed many of the aforementioned shorebird species albeit in smaller numbers. Some of my favourite wetlands in the city are the Dingman Constructed Wetland on Dingman Drive, the stormwater management pond behind the Canadian Tire Store on Wonderland Road as well as the two on either side of Hyde Park Road just north of Gainsborough Road. The Coves is also another great place to visit in August as many shorebirds, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, and Black-crowned Night Herons are seen here annually. Shorebird identification can be a real challenge so having a quality field guide is a must. My favourites can be found in my post The 4 Best Field Guides To Help Hone Your Bird Identification Skills.

IMG 7517 - Area Wetlands Offer Outstanding Birding Opportunites — ***Lesser Yellows jockeying for the perfect feeding spot.***

It’s important to protect yourself from both insects and the sun while birding in August. Over the past couple of seasons, I have started wearing lightweight long pants and long-sleeved shirts that feature UV protection, which shield me from both the sun and insect bites. I always wear a hat while birding but prefer a baseball cap over a wide-brimmed or bucket style hat. As a result, my neck would often burn despite multiple applications of sunscreen throughout the day. This year I have added a Columbia Neck Wrap to my wardrobe. With UPF 50 protection and heat activated cooling technology this garment keeps me cool and protected from the sun. Consequently, I have not sunburned my neck while birding this year. A quality insect repellant is also a must to prevent bites from mosquitos and ticks. Since switching to an all-natural insect repellant last year, I have not had a single tick on me and have not experienced any issues breathing that I have in the past with the use of a deet based product.

IMG 8345 Edit 2 - Area Wetlands Offer Outstanding Birding Opportunites — ***Lesser Yellowlegs.***

Wetlands are one of my favourite habitats to explore at any time of year as outstanding birding opportunities are always present. August can be one of the best months for seeing large concentrations of birds, especially shorebirds and maybe even a few less common species as they make their way south. If you have been wondering where to bird in the coming weeks, give one of your local wetlands try. I think you will agree that these habitats are home to an abundance of wildlife making for a satisfying day.

Good birding,
Paul

*In case you were wondering, any products linked to in my post are items I’ve purchased with my own money and only recommend based on my experience and satisfaction.*

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Local Provincial Park A Hidden Gem For Area Birders

Here in Ontario we are fortunate to have a magnitude of provincial parks many of which offer great birding opportunities. In Elgin county, only about a 30-minute drive from London, there is a small provincial park that over the past few years has quickly become one of my favourites. John E. Pearce Provincial Park located on Lakeview Line is a hidden gem when it comes to great areas for birding. Each time I have visited this park, I have been impressed with the assortment of birds observed within its 68 hectare area.

When I visit John E. Pearce Provincial Park there is one species in particular that I hope to observe, the Red-headed Woodpecker. Often confused with the much more common Red-bellied Woodpecker, the Red-headed Woodpecker is currently listed as special concern on Ontario’s species at risk list and populations seem to be limited to isolated areas throughout southern Ontario. Fortunately, John E. Pearce Provincial Park happens to be one of these isolated areas. In fact, I have yet to visit this small park without adding one of these beautiful woodpeckers to my daily list.

IMG 4866 Edit Edit - Local Provincial Park A Hidden Gem For Area Birders — **Within minutes of arriving at the park, this Red-headed Woodpecker landed on a telephone pole at the north end of the parking lot.**

Early June is my favourite time to visit John E. Pearce Provincial Park. The birding at this time of year there is great, and I have always had rewarding days. This past week, I made the short drive down to the park for a day of birding with the hopes of observing a Red-headed Woodpecker. In a previous blog post, How To Prepare For The Image Of A Lifetime: A Step By Step Approach I talked about the importance of being ready when a shot presents itself. After arriving at the park mid-morning I was a bit hungry so decided eating an energy bar would be a good idea before getting started. Fortunately, I had already performed many of the preparation steps mentioned in that post because as I was standing beside my car enjoying the bar a Red-headed Woodpecker landed on a telephone pole at the end of the parking lot. With my camera at the ready, I was able to quickly raise it to my face and capture several images of the bird while clenching half the bar between my teeth. Though not the most orthodox style of shooting it does demonstrate the importance of having your camera and settings ready.

IMG 4948 Edit Edit - Local Provincial Park A Hidden Gem For Area Birders — ***June is my favourite month to visit John E. Pearce Provincial Park in search of the Red-headed Woodpecker.***

Having had an encounter with a Red-headed Woodpecker only minutes after arriving at the park, I knew that it was going to be a special day. In my previous visits to John E. Pearce Provincial Park, all of my Red-headed Woodpecker sightings have been within close proximity to the parking lot located next to the Backus-Page House Museum, so very little walking is required for anyone wishing to locate and photograph these birds. After circling the old barn located on the museum site, I noticed a second Red-headed Woodpecker in a large tree on the other end of the property. With two of these beautiful birds located in this small area, I spent much of my time here observing and photographing them.

IMG 4810 Edit Edit - Local Provincial Park A Hidden Gem For Area Birders — ***This Brown Thrasher was among the many birds observed within the park.***

Wanting to get a walk in, I decided to hike the 1.5 km Spicer Trail that runs through the Carolinian Forest. Several other bird species were observed including great views of a Brown Thrasher. House Wrens and Baltimore Orioles were also abundant. A nice variety of flycatchers were seen with Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, and Eastern Phoebe all being recorded. Yellow Warblers, Indigo Buntings, Gray Catbirds, and Chipping Sparrows rounded out the birds that were easily located.

IMG 4921 Edit Edit - Local Provincial Park A Hidden Gem For Area Birders — ***A curious fawn was an added bonus to an otherwise great day of birding.***

As I walked through the forest, Eastern Chipmunks and White-tailed Deer could be seen on either side of the trail. At one point, I came across a doe with two young fawns. Watching these small deer was quite enjoyable and an added bonus to an already amazing day. Below is a short video I recorded of one of the fawns. For best quality, be sure to choose HD from the settings in the bottom right corner and make sure your speakers are on to hear the accompanying bird sounds.

0 - Local Provincial Park A Hidden Gem For Area Birders

Watch this video on YouTube

A birding first came for me while visiting John E. Pearce Provincial Park. This did not come in the form of a new bird for my life list but rather I observed all seven woodpecker species found in our area at one location. Red-headed, Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, Pileated, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Northern Flicker were all seen within the park and as someone who loves woodpeckers this was a pretty awesome experience.

IMG 5015 Edit Edit - Local Provincial Park A Hidden Gem For Area Birders — ***If seeing a Red-headed Woodpecker is on your bucket list, I highly recommend planning a visit to John E. Pearce Provincial Park.***

John E. Pearce Provincial Park is a great destination for any birder and I cannot recommend it enough. On this day I had the park to myself and was treated to some amazing encounters with nature as I have on all my visits. There is no fee to enjoy the park and amenities including washrooms and picnic tables are available for park users. If you are looking for a new place for your next birding excursion, one that is home to an abundance of species including the uncommon Red-headed Woodpecker, give John E. Pearce Provincial Park a try, I think you will be glad you did.

Good birding,
Paul

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Beachcombing For Shorebirds

For any birder, spring migration is the greatest time of year. The sight of so many birds moving through one area on route to their breeding grounds is truly remarkable. I consider myself a shorebird fanatic and particularly enjoy searching area beaches for the wide variety of these birds that make their way across Southwestern Ontario each spring.

IMG 4221 Edit Edit - Beachcombing For Shorebirds — **Whimbrel** **are** **a large shorebird with long legs and a long down-curved bill.**

Last week, I devoted an entire day to finding and photographing as many shorebirds as I could with hopes of locating one of my favourites, the Whimbrel. Whimbrel typically move through our area around the Victoria Day Long Weekend give or take a few days and are regularly found on beaches, piers, and breakwaters along the north shore of Lake Erie.

IMG 4106 Edit Edit - Beachcombing For Shorebirds — ***A Dunlin foraging in the shallow water of the shorebird cell at Hillman Marsh Conservation Area.***

I planned my day in advance and decided to begin at Hillman Marsh Conservation Area east of Leamington, Ontario. After completing a hike around the conservation area, my idea was to drive east along the Lake Erie shoreline to Port Stanley, Ontario making several stops along the way at various ports, harbours, and other points of access to the lake. The light south breeze off the lake forecast for this day would not only provide comfortable birding conditions, it should also help propel shorebirds down the lake making for an excellent day.

IMG 4002 Edit Edit - Beachcombing For Shorebirds — ***Several muskrats were observed feeding on vegetation as I made my way around the conservation area.***

Arriving at Hillman Marsh shortly after 8 a.m. I was greeted by the sounds of a Grey Catbird, several Yellow Warblers, and a Red-eyed Vireo. After grabbing my camera, binoculars, and applying insect repellant I made my way to the shorebird cell located within the conservation area. Scanning the shallow pond with my binoccualrs, I could see an assortment of shorebirds probing their bills into the mud as they foraged away. Shorebirds noted here were:

Dunlin
Black-bellied Plover
Least Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper

IMG 4052 Edit - Beachcombing For Shorebirds — ***Loud splashes could be heard as Carp were busy spawning in the various ponds.***

Several species of waterfowl were also observed in the shorebird cell and included:

Canada Goose
Mallard
Northern Shoveller
Blue Winged Teal
Gadwall
Trumpeter Swan

IMG 4021 Edit 2 - Beachcombing For Shorebirds — ***Great Egret***

Satisfied with my observations, I decided to walk the roughly 5 km trail encompassing the conservation area to see what else I could find. In the back section of the property, I observed a juvenile Bald Eagle as it landed in a mature tree located on the water’s edge. From a tall viewing tower a Great Egret was seen wading in front of the emergent vegetation on the far side of the pond.

IMG 4142 - Beachcombing For Shorebirds — ***Sandhill Cranes flying high overhead.***

Songbirds present in good numbers at Hillman Marsh were Eastern Kingbirds and Common Yellowthroats. Of course, no visit to any wetland in May would be complete without observing dozens of Red-winged Blackbirds. As I made my way back to my car, a pair of Sandhill Cranes passed by overhead.

IMG 4241 Edit Edit - Beachcombing For Shorebirds — ***Whimbrel* *were among the many shorebirds* *observed on the beach at Wheatley Harbour.***

Having completed the trail at Hillman Marsh, I drove east along Lakeshore Dive to Wheatley Harbour. Parking on the east side of the harbour I slowly made my way out to the beach. Mixed in with a large flock of Ring-billed Gulls I could see three buff, long-legged, shorebirds, with long down-curved bills, key characteristics of Whimbrel. Not wanting to spook the birds, I stayed low and did not approach too closely.

IMG 4177 Edit Edit - Beachcombing For Shorebirds — ***Whimbrel*** ***are*** ***similar in body size to a Ring-billed Gull with long legs and a long bill.***

By this time it was late morning and the sun was positioned high in the southern sky which meant I would be shooting directly into it. It’s always best to have the sun at your back when taking photos, but with roughly 60 miles of lake in front of me, my options were limited. In order to properly expose the Whimbrel and avoid silhouettes, I increased my exposure compensation to +1. Lake Erie was a beautiful shade of turquoise blue on this day providing an excellent background.

IMG 4449 Edit Edit - Beachcombing For Shorebirds — ***Sanderling on the beach in Wheatley, Ontario***

After capturing several images of the Whimbrel a fish tug entered the harbour from out on the lake. As the boat reversed hard at dockside, the diesel engine roared scaring the flock of gulls and three Whimbrel from the beach, At first it looked like the Whimbrel were going to land on the rock breakwater just offshore but instead continued in a westerly direction out of sight. With the beach now void of birds, it was time to head back to the car for a sandwich and wait and see if more shorebirds would show up.

IMG 4205 Edit Edit - Beachcombing For Shorebirds — **Several flocks of shorebirds including these Semipalmated Sandpipers were observed making their way along the north shore of Lake Erie.**

Following a quick lunch break, I ventured back out on the beach hoping for more shorebirds to arrive. To my delight, a small flock of mixed shorebirds containing Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover, and Ruddy Turnstones made their way past. Shortly after that, a flock of Semipalmated Sandpipers flew by. Unfortunately, none of these birds landed but I managed a few images as they flew past.

IMG 4467 Edit Edit 2 - Beachcombing For Shorebirds — ***Remarkable views of this Ruddy Turnstone were achieved at Wheatley harbour.***

As I was getting ready to leave and continue on to my next location, several Sanderling landed within a few feet of where I was sitting on the beach. I watched as these birds foraged and bathed where the water met the sand. Seconds later a Ruddy Turnstone landed joining the group of Sanderling. With my camera still set to +1 exposure compensation, I enjoyed fantastic views and captured several images of these beautiful shorebirds.

IMG 4404 Edit Edit - Beachcombing For Shorebirds — **Whimbrel in flight.**

As it was now afternoon, I decided it was time to carry on as I still had several locations I wanted to check on my indirect way back to London. While walking across the beach to my car a small flock of 14 Whimbrel passed by. Shortly thereafter, a much larger flock which I estimate to be well over 100 birds made their way toward the beach. These Whimbrel were looking to land amongst the large flock of Ring-billed Gulls, which were now positioned further east down the beach after being dispersed by the fish tug. It was evident that these birds were wary of my presence and reluctant to land. Some touched down briefly while others kept circling without landing. Knowing how far these birds travel during their migration and that they were likely hungry and exhausted, I could not watch them circle any longer, so I vacated the beach hoping they would land. Before I could make it to my car the birds disappeared out of sight to the east.

IMG 4502 - Beachcombing For Shorebirds — ***This large flock of Whimbrel was observed in a cornfield west of John E. Pearce Provincial on Lakeview Line.***

Leaving Wheatley, I continued east following the Lake Erie shoreline making several stops along the way. At the various beaches, more shorebirds were observed. As I made my way down Lakeview Line just west of John E. Pearce Provincial Park, I noticed a large flock of birds out in a field. Recognizing that these birds were too small to be Canada Geese and knowing that geese are typically paired off raising young at this time of year and not found in large flocks, I pulled over for a closer look. With the aid of binoculars, I could see this was a large flock of Whimbrel, perhaps the same flock I had seen earlier in Wheatley.

IMG 4641 Edit 2 Edit 3 - Beachcombing For Shorebirds — ***In breeding plumage, Dunlin* *are* *easily identified by their rusty backs and black bellies.***

Next stop was Port Stanley, Ontario. As I searched the main beach and pier area, I was treated to great views of Dunlin. Having had an excellent day birding and the fact it was approaching the dinner hour, I packed up my gear and headed back to London.

IMG 4628 Edit Edit 1 - Beachcombing For Shorebirds — ***This Dunlin was forced to take flght as a small wave broke on shore.***

Even though the big flocks of shorebirds have already moved through our area, great views can still be achieved at area beaches. The north shore of Lake Erie is obviously one of my favourites, but similar success can be achieved along any of the Great Lakes throughout the first few weeks of June. If you can, plan your visit on a weekday before school ends, which will result in beaches that are less crowded resulting in more shorebirds.

In Southwestern Ontario, we are fortunate to be surrounded by the Great Lakes and their beautiful beaches. Birding on these beaches can be quite rewarding and now is the perfect time to get out there and take advantage of these opportunities.

Good birding,
Paul

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Prothonotary Warblers: A Highlight Of The 2018 Festival Of Flight

With spring migration in full swing here in Southwestern Ontario, I decided to take two weeks vacation in an effort to get in as much birding possible while bird numbers increase across the region. Having completed a few day trips as well as several visits to some of my favourite hotspots within the city, I birded every day this week and was quite happy with the results.

Among the planned day trips was a visit to Rondeau Provincial Park on the north shore of Lake Erie, a popular May destination for many birders and host of the annual Festival of Flight. Friday’s forecast did not include favourable birding conditions with cooler temperatures and late afternoon showers predicted. However, with the park located just over an hour from my home in London, I thought I could enjoy several hours of birding before the rain moved in.

IMG 1000 Edit Edit 2 - Prothonotary Warblers: A Highlight Of The 2018 Festival Of Flight — ***Male Prothonotary Warbler singing from a fallen log.***

Leaving London under mostly clear skies just before 7 a.m. the weather was looking pretty good. Unfortunately, as I headed west down the 401, I could see a large cloud bank on the horizon. According to the hourly forecast, it was not supposed to cloud up until 3 p.m. with rain starting at 4 p.m. Unfortunately, after arriving at Rondeau Provincial Park shortly after 8 a.m. it was already cloudy. Once again, Environment Canada’s forecast was about as useless as (insert your favourite simile here); however, I wasn’t going to let this put a damper on my day.

My target species for the day was the Prothonotary Warbler. I had tried for this bird earlier in the week at Point Pelee National Park but failed to locate one despite searching areas where they had been reported previously that day. With the Canadian population down to only 11 pairs, Rondeau Provincial Park and Point Pelee National Park are two locations where this endangered species is observed annually.

IMG 1321 Edit Edit - Prothonotary Warblers: A Highlight Of The 2018 Festival Of Flight — ***With only 11 pairs in all of Canada, I considered myself incredibly fortunate to observe both a male and female Prothonotary Warbler on my visit to Rondeau Provincial Park.***

Prothonotary Warblers had been reported from the Tulip Tree Trail earlier during the 2018 Festival of Flight. With the weather deteriorating quicker than expected, I made my way to the visitor’s centre to park and access the aforementioned trail.

Exiting my vehicle, I was happy I bought my winter jacket with me as the wind off Lake Erie was quite cool and the car’s thermometer read only 6 degrees Celsius. After grabbing my camera and binoculars, I made my way down the marked path in hopes of finding a Prothonotary Warbler. At 1.4 km in length, the Tulip Tree Trail consists of many boardwalks meandering through a mix of forest and swamp, perfect habitat for the Prothonotary Warbler.

IMG 1056 Edit Edit - Prothonotary Warblers: A Highlight Of The 2018 Festival Of Flight — ***Observing a pair of Prothonotary Warblers during the 2018 Festival of Flight has been one of the many highlights of spring migration so far.***

Making my way along the trail, several warblers were present including Yellow, Black-throated Green, and Black-throated Blue. Swainson’s Thrushes could be seen scouring the forest floor for a meal while Baltimore Orioles called and moved about the understory. As I approached one of the boardwalks, a male Prothonotary Warbler appeared to my right as it foraged along a fallen log. Too far for photos, I was happy to observe the bird through my binoculars. While the Prothonotary Warbler is not a lifer for me, my only previous observation was a first-year female, so not nearly as vibrant as this male in breeding plumage. After achieving pleasing views, the bird flew off deeper into the swamp.

Scanning the swamp with my binoculars, I was unable to relocate the bird. After searching for about 20 minutes, the bird reappeared in a pile of downed limbs only about 15 feet from the boardwalk. With the heavy cloud cover and low light conditions in the swamp, I needed to bump up my ISO in order to achieve a fast enough shutter speed to capture this rare warbler as it hopped along the fallen logs. Due to my excitement instead of hitting the ISO button on my camera, I hit the button that controls my focus points and accidentally selected all of them. Before I could regroup the bird once again disappeared deep into the swamp. As a result, the fallen limbs and various adjacent mosses in my images were very sharp, but the Prothonotary Warbler, my target species, was out of focus.

To be honest, hitting the wrong button or turning a dial the wrong way happens to me more than I care to admit, but is a fact of photography. My excitement quite often gets the better of me resulting in missed opportunities, but this is something I don’t let bother me. The observation itself is what I take away from all of my birding adventures with capturing an image simply a bonus.

IMG 1079 Edit 2 Edit - Prothonotary Warblers: A Highlight Of The 2018 Festival Of Flight — ***Light conditions required a high ISO to achieve a shutter speed fast enough to capture these endangered warblers as they moved throughout the swamp.***

After getting my camera settings back to where I wanted them, (if you are curious this was aperture priority mode f/6.3, ISO 1250, and -2/3 exposure compensation given the dark backdrop of the swamp resulting in a shutter speed of anywhere from 1/500 to 1/1250), I decided to wait and see if the Prothonotary Warbler returned. Twenty minutes passed and once again the male Prothonotary Warbler appeared on the same fallen log where it was first observed. Just as it did previously, the bird flitted and hopped from log to log through the swamp in the direction where I was standing.

Ready this time with optimal camera settings, I captured several images as this beautiful male Prothonotary Warbler came within 10 feet of the boardwalk. Fortunately, I was able to shoot under the railing achieving unobstructed views. Several hundred images later, the bird once again disappeared deep in the swamp.

Having had 2 encounters with this bird following the same course, I thought it would be wise to wait and see if this male Prothonotary Warbler would once again repeat this pattern. Sure enough, after about 20 to 30 minutes, the bird once again emerged from the tangle of fallen logs. This encounter was different; however; as this time there was also a female Prothonotary Warbler present.

IMG 1370 Edit Edit - Prothonotary Warblers: A Highlight Of The 2018 Festival Of Flight — ***Female Prothonotary Warblers have a duller appearance than males. Look for the more olive green crown and nape with similar grey-blue wings to help identify this species from other warblers.***

I watched intently while snapping several photos as the two Prothonotary Warblers hopped and flitted from log to log foraging on whatever they could find under these cold conditions. Knowing that I was observing two of only twenty-two Prothonotary Warblers in the entire county was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. If their numbers continue to dwindle, this may be my last encounter with this incredibly stunning bird. Hopefully, with habitat protection and continued conservation efforts, this won’t be the case and these remarkable warblers will be enjoyed for years to come.

Another observation I made while enjoying this pair of Prothonotary Warblers was many birders missed these colourful warblers by moving too fast down the boardwalk. Perhaps the cold weather and fact that it was starting to rain had birders hurrying back to the visitor’s centre to warm up. It seemed that if the Prothonotary Warblers were not in plain view most birders simply kept moving while those who exercised patience were rewarded with remarkable views.

If you are heading down to the Festival of Flight during the remaining 10 days, be patient and willing to wait for the Prothonotary Warblers to appear if you are hoping to observe this species. This approach worked wonders for me resulting in excellent views on a day where I would have been much warmer if I kept moving.

IMG 1230 Edit Edit 4 - Prothonotary Warblers: A Highlight Of The 2018 Festival Of Flight — ***The vibrant yellow head and blue-grey wings make the male Prothonotary Warbler unmistakable.***

If the Prothonotary Warbler is still missing from your life list, or you simply want to view this gorgeous endangered species, then plan a trip to Rondeau Provincial Park and check out the Tulip Tree Trail. With a little patience, great views just might present themselves proving that good things come to those who wait.

Good birding,
Paul

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How To Prepare For The Image Of A Lifetime:
A Step By Step Approach

IMG 5690 Edit 2 Edit - How To Prepare For The Image Of A Lifetime: <BR> A Step By Step Approach — ***Taking the time to prepare for an image long before pressing the shutter will lead to more consistent results.***

When it comes to photographing wildlife, being prepared when a shot presents itself is something any photographer beginner or professional can do to ensure greater success in the field. Some misconceptions I hear regarding my photography is I must be incredibly patient or have waited a ridiculous amount of time to capture many of my images. While I consider myself a patient person in many aspects of my life, this does not hold true when it comes to photography.

Most of my photography takes place during morning walks while on a work break and therefore I must keep moving. As a result, I rarely stay in one location very long unless I observe a rare species, one I have yet to photograph or see the potential for an exceptional shot. Even in these cases, I don’t hold still long. In order to have success with this run-and-gun approach being prepared is crucial.

Regardless of whether I am planning on heading out with my camera during a morning walk or spending an entire day at one of my favourite birding locations, following a series of steps ensures I am prepared for any shot when the situation arises. If you find yourself missing opportunities when in the field, adhere to this simple checklist for improved success.

IMG 0526 1 - How To Prepare For The Image Of A Lifetime: <BR> A Step By Step Approach — ***I have yet to miss an image due to a dead battery. Making sure my battery is fully charged the night before assures enough power for a full day of shooting.***

FULLY CHARGE YOUR CAMERA’S BATTERY

A fully charged battery ensures your camera has enough power to capture images throughout the day. I like to charge my battery the night before heading out. By employing this practice I have never had a battery die resulting in missed opportunities even while shooting thousands of images in extremely cold weather. In fact, I have such confidence in this I have never invested in a spare battery saving me money in the process.

IMG 1443 Edit - How To Prepare For The Image Of A Lifetime: <BR> A Step By Step Approach — ***During spring migration it’s not uncommon to take hundreds even thousands of images in a single day. A clear memory card will provide plenty of space to capture all of those beautiful migrants.***

CLEAR ALL IMAGES FROM YOUR MEMORY CARD

Transferring images from my camera to laptop is something I typically do upon returning home from a day’s shoot. However, as part of my preparation, I double check the card in my camera has been cleared. Packing a second memory card is also a good idea as this will allow more images to be captured and provides insurance in the unfortunate event of a card error. Memory cards have come down significantly in price in recent years so there is little excuse not to own at least one spare.

IMG 5955 Edit Edit - How To Prepare For The Image Of A Lifetime: <BR> A Step By Step Approach — **A clean lens will make certain no dark spots from dust or water droplets appear in the images.**

CLEAN YOUR CAMERA AND LENSES

Taking the time to clean the camera’s sensor and any lenses you plan on shooting with will leave you confident no dust spots show up on your images. While these spots can sometimes be later removed with various photo editing software, fewer edits made preserves the integrity of a photo. Cleaning your gear takes very little time and should be done before every shoot. Wiping down the exterior of the camera to remove any fingerprints or dust especially from the LCD screen will make reviewing your histogram much easier after capturing an image. A clean viewfinder provides an immaculate view of your subject and camera settings.

One item that often gets overlooked when it comes to cleaning gear is the lens caps. Think of how many times you have dropped your lens caps only to briefly blow on it or wipe it on your pants expecting it to be clean. When the cap is replaced back on the lens dirt and debris is easily transferred leaving potentially image compromising blemishes on the front element. I like to use a separate cleaning cloth for my lens caps as they are often my dirtiest piece of equipment, and I do not want to risk scratching my camera body or lenses with sand and gravel transferred from my lens cap.

16433750986 e4bae3b30a o - How To Prepare For The Image Of A Lifetime: <BR> A Step By Step Approach — ***In nature photography, chances to capture a shot are often only available for a few seconds. Taking the time to power up a camera when a shot presents itself often leads to missed opportunities.***

TURN YOUR CAMERA ON AND LEAVE IT ON

Upon arriving at your destination and removing the camera from its bag, turn the power switch to the on position and leave it there. If you are concerned about draining the battery, no need to worry as most cameras have an auto power off feature. To save power the camera will automatically power off after about a minute of not operating. To turn the camera back on, simply press the shutter halfway.

If you are not already taking advantage of this feature it can be enabled from within the camera’s menu. Taking the time to turn the camera on via the power button or forgetting entirely before every shot is a missed image waiting to happen.

32884941010 5d8c650560 o - How To Prepare For The Image Of A Lifetime: <BR> A Step By Step Approach — You never know when an opportunity is going to present itself so being prepared is of utmost importance. Having my lens cap off prior to this Red-tailed Hawk flying straight towards me saved valuable seconds which allowed me to capture the image.

REMOVE YOUR LENS CAP AND LEAVE IT OFF

Many photographers leave their lens caps on while hiking around out of fear of scratching their front element. If this is you, try to avoid this practice as you are setting yourself up to miss potential shots. If you have to stop and remove your lens cap when a shot presents itself, most of the time the shot will be gone before you get the cap off.

If you are concerned about protecting your front element and your lens is equipped with a hood, put it on and leave it on even on cloudy days as this will shield the lens from tree limbs and other potential scratching hazards. Clear protective lens filters available in a variety of sizes to fit your specific lens can be purchased and are cheap insurance. These filters simply thread onto the front element of a lens protecting it from scratches.

37052939755 a6b4ff5483 o - How To Prepare For The Image Of A Lifetime: <BR> A Step By Step Approach — ***Knowing the correct exposure for the sky before this Great Egret flew overhead enabled me to quickly adjust my settings resulting in this photo.***

REVIEW YOUR CAMERA SETTINGS AND TAKE A FEW SHOTS TO CHECK YOUR EXPOSURE

Always check your camera settings to make sure they are optimized for the light conditions and your subject. Remember when photographing birds and wildlife you need a fast shutter speed. Adjust your ISO and aperture accordingly and ensure your camera is set to high speed continuous to take advantage of your maximum frames per second.

Once you have your basic settings dialed in, take a few test shots and check your histogram to ensure proper exposure and adjust if necessary. This works even if there is no subject present as in most cases the exposure won’t change even with a bird or some other form of wildlife in the frame. Remember to take a few shots of the sky as well so you will know the proper exposure and can quickly adjust for a potential bird in flight.

IMG 6206 Edit Edit - How To Prepare For The Image Of A Lifetime: <BR> A Step By Step Approach — ***Whenever possible ensure the sun is at your back before taking the shot.***

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

When photographing anything outdoors you always want to keep the sun at your back whenever possible. This will ensure your subject is properly lit. When it comes to photographing wildlife a little forethought can help achieve this. When heading out for a morning hike I always try to walk from east to west. Conversely, if heading out in the afternoon or evening, I plan my walk so that I am heading from west to east. In most situations, this helps ensure my subject is well lit and avoids backlit images and silhouettes.

IMG 5935 Edit Edit - How To Prepare For The Image Of A Lifetime: <BR> A Step By Step Approach — ***Even common birds like the American Robin are wary of loud sounds. Be sure to move slowly and quietly keeping noise to a minimum.***

BE QUIET

Wildlife can startle very easily resulting in missed shots. I like to wear quiet clothing avoiding nylon and other loud materials alerting my presence to potential subjects. Moving slowly and quietly helps me get close enough to capture detailed images. Watch where you step as the sound of a breaking stick or leaves rustling on the ground can easily spook wary wildlife.

When sneaking up on wildlife avoid eye contact and don’t approach in a straight line. Using a zig-zag pattern is far more effective and less likely to cause the subject to flee. Be respectful and don’t approach too closely especially when it comes to nesting birds or wildlife with young. Remember the old saying “If my behaviour changes their behaviour than I’m too close.”

IMG 6328 Edit Edit - How To Prepare For The Image Of A Lifetime: <BR> A Step By Step Approach — ***Choosing a single focus point and placing it on the subject’s eye results in sharp images.***

FOCUS ON YOUR SUBJECT’S EYE

This is pretty straightforward. When the eye is sharp the image is sharp.

13665309233 8a151dffc5 o Edit - How To Prepare For The Image Of A Lifetime: <BR> A Step By Step Approach — **After obtaining focus, shoot at least three frames consecutively. By employing this practice, you will likely find that the second image is always the sharpest.**

SHOOT AT LEAST THREE FRAMES CONSECUTIVELY

Once focus is achieved on the subject’s eye and you are ready to start shooting, hold the shutter down and fire off at least three frames in a row. It has been my experience that by doing this the second image in a sequence of three is always the sharpest. When the subject is at a distance I find that most photographers achieve focus but then end up aiming low while pressing the shutter. Focus is once again acquired for the second shot and then lost high while overcompensating on the third shot, thus at least frames will yield better results than shooting individual images.

IMG 6319 Edit Edit 2 - How To Prepare For The Image Of A Lifetime: <BR> A Step By Step Approach — ***The histogram is every photographer’s best friend when it comes to achieving proper exposure. Understanding how to read one and using it regularly results in more keeper images.***

CHECK YOUR HISTOGRAM

After shooting a series of frames, be sure to check your histogram to ensure proper exposure. Adjust as necessary and continue shooting. Light conditions are always changing, which is why I like to continually take test shots of the various scenes as I move along on my hike. This gives me a good base exposure that can quickly be tweaked if necessary once a subject is located.

Next to missed focus, improper exposure is the biggest reason images end up in the recycle bin. Sure you can try adjusting the exposure in Photoshop or other editing software, but you will quickly see the image quality deteriorate once you start moving those exposure sliders. For optimal final images always try to get the exposure correct in camera.

37118762932 331411e574 o - How To Prepare For The Image Of A Lifetime: <BR> A Step By Step Approach — ***Taking the time to complete all of these steps meant I was ready for the shot at the exact moment this Green Heron struck capturing a Leopard Frog.***

You never know when the shot of a lifetime will present itself, so it’s best to be prepared if and when one does. After understanding camera settings and how to apply them to each situation, being prepared is the biggest thing any photographer can do to capture more consistent images. As you can see there are several steps involved to being prepared, but by taking a little extra time, often before heading out into the field, you will set yourself up for improved success and who knows maybe even the image of a lifetime.

Good birding,
Paul

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The 4 Best Field Guides To Help Hone Your Bird Identification Skills

With the peak of spring migration set to take flight in the coming weeks, plenty of time remains for birders to hone their identification skills before another influx of birds moves through the area. Field guides are an invaluable tool when it comes to properly identifying birds, but with so many on the market how do you know which one to choose? As an avid birder, I own a number of field guides, each one having specific benefits. In this post, I will share with you my four favourite and why I think every birder, novice or expert should own a copy of each.

1. Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Sixth Edition

As a child, I grew up with Peterson field guides and have grown to love them over the years. I find myself reaching for this guide more than any other in my collection. This guide features beautiful paintings of over 500 species in various plumages and utilizes the Peterson Identification System to aid in identification. A detailed written description of each species including size and specific field marks to look for as well as preferred habitat and voice make this guide incredibly useful and easy to use.

Large range maps colour coded by season are found in the back of each guide further assisting with identification. Measuring 5.25″ x 8″ this guide easily fits into any vehicle’s glove box or console and can be easily stowed into a backpack for carrying in the field. For anyone new to birding I highly recommend this guide as I find the illustrations very easy to reference. Having said that, this guide is equally useful for advanced and expert birders alike as it combines all the features of a great guide.

IMG 0758 1 Edit Edit - The 4 Best Field Guides To Help Hone Your Bird Identification Skills — ***Shorebirds like this Spotted Sandpiper can be incredibly challenging to identify. The detailed photographs featured in the Stokes field guide make it my go-to guide for shorebird identification.***

2. The New Stokes Field Guide to Birds: Eastern Region

I added this guide to my library to help identify some of the more challenging species, particularly when birds are not displaying their recognizable breeding plumage. Armed with my Stokes guide this otherwise daunting task is simplified thanks to over 2,000 colour photographs featuring 545 birds. What makes this book so useful is the abundance of photos showcasing the array of plumages including male and female breeding, winter, as well as juvenile birds. For this reason, I especially love this guide for identifying warblers, gulls, waterfowl and shorebirds. At 5.5″ x 8.5″ this compact guide can easily be brought along on any outing.

The written descriptions including sound and habitat are equally helpful at making positive identifications. My only complaint about this field guide is that the range maps are too small. Measuring only 1″ x 1″ and tucked in the bottom corner of each page these maps almost seem like an afterthought. However, this is not a deal breaker and I would recommend this book to anyone, especially for those intermediate and advanced birders looking to up their game when it comes to properly identifying the aforementioned challenging species.

IMG 0506 - The 4 Best Field Guides To Help Hone Your Bird Identification Skills — **The Warbler Guide is the most comprehensive field guide I have seen to aid with warbler identification. This guide is a must-have for the serious birder.**

3. The Warbler Guide

As the title indicates, this field guide focuses solely on warblers and therefore is geared towards those looking to improve their skills identifying these colourful songbirds. I’m sure most birders will agree when I say warblers are among the most frustrating birds to identify. The addition of this guide to my collection in recent years has helped me tremendously when it comes to confidently identifying warblers. Featuring both illustrations and photographs of the 56 warblers found in the United States and Canada, this in-depth guide takes showcasing field marks to another level.

Not only are traditional side views featured, this guide goes so far as to include a series of quick finder pages featuring multiple viewing angles and the various seasonal plumages displayed by warblers. Descriptions, comparison species, range maps, and vocalization make this guide a must-have for warbler fanatics.

The 6.25″ x 8.75″ size makes this guide bigger than most; however, I would not want to see this much information condensed down onto smaller pages. I don’t typically take this guide with me into the field due to its size, rather I use it to aid with identification of birds I have photographed once I return home. Remember, only warblers are featured, so if the bird in question is not a warbler you won’t find it in this guide. The Warbler Guide is the perfect compliment to the previously mentioned Peterson or Stokes guide.

27026294166 d4f86d647b o - The 4 Best Field Guides To Help Hone Your Bird Identification Skills — **The waterproof Sibley warbler guide is very compact and one I take with me on all my outings during spring migration.**

4. Sibley’s Warblers of Eastern North America

If you are looking for something more compact to take with you in the field to help with warbler identification, look no further. This incredibly useful guide features 6 waterproof pages loaded front and back with all the information needed to successfully identify the 38 warblers found in eastern North America. Illustrations of various plumages, a brief description, and range maps make up this 4″ x 9″ easily packable accordion style guide.

At only about $10 this is an incredibly affordable option that doesn’t’ sting too much when you have to replace it because someone dropped it in the woods (I won’t name names here). Despite having a pretty good grasp of warbler identification, I always pack this guide with me on all my May outings when I am searching for and photographing warblers.

26932313642 2ac6ced0af o Edit - The 4 Best Field Guides To Help Hone Your Bird Identification Skills — ***Palm Warbler photographed during last year’s spring migration.***

As you can tell by the titles, three of these four guides are specific to eastern North America. Since all of my birding is done in this part of the world, these guides are perfect for me. If you live in the west or your birding adventures take you across the continent, both Peterson and Stokes offer a guide specific to western North America and one featuring all birds found in North America.

Whether you are a new birder looking for your first field guide or a seasoned veteran looking for something with more information to help identify those challenging species, consider these four guides. Regardless of which guide you choose, I know you will be satisfied with your selection.

Good birding,
Paul

* Please note this post contains Amazon affiliate links. You can help support my website by using the above links when you purchase products on Amazon (they send me a few bucks when you do at no additional cost to you). I only provide links to products I have purchased and am satisfied with based on my own experience. Thanks for your support!*

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March Providing A Beautiful Mix For Area Birders

With spring set to arrive next week, it certainly has not felt that way in Southwestern Ontario as winter is still in full force. After a brief tease of spring-like weather during the final days of February, Mother Nature provided us with a reality check as wintry conditions returned and persisted over the first two weeks of March. For March breakers heading south, I imagine this sat well knowing that warmer temperatures were on the horizon, but for those of us who stayed put and were hoping for a continued early spring migration, well we were left to enjoy a few more weeks of winter birding.

IMG 5283 Edit Edit - March Providing A Beautiful Mix For Area Birders — **Birding during March is incredibly rewarding. Turkey Vultures and other spring migrants are a nice compliment to the bevy of resident birds found throughout the area.**

As someone who loves winter birding, I have embraced the fact that winter has hung around in Southwestern Ontario, although I must admit I was ready for spring after the weather we experienced a few weeks ago. Keeping my toque, gloves, and camera at the ready, I have had great views of both migrant and resident species over the past several weeks while birding in the Forest City.

IMG 4795 Edit - March Providing A Beautiful Mix For Area Birders — **Throughout March Red-winged Blackbirds have been seen across Southwestern Ontario.**

For me, I always look to the return of Red-winged Blackbirds, Killdeer, and Tundra Swans each year to our area as the unofficial arrival of spring and a sign that migration is underway. After seeing these early migrants return to our area the during the final days of February, the recent cold northwest winds and accompanying flurries has all but halted migration. Fortunately there are still plenty of these species around the area to signify spring is right around the corner.

IMG 4781 Edit Edit - March Providing A Beautiful Mix For Area Birders — **Northern Cardinals have been one of the most abundant species observed during my morning walks.**

Northern Cardinals have been plentiful on my morning walks with the sights and sounds being a real treat Listening to males sing while chasing other males from their territories under the cover of fresh snow has been particularly enjoyable. Carolina Wrens have also been actively calling most mornings, but their propensity to frequent thick cover makes them challenging to observe.

IMG 4974 Edit Edit - March Providing A Beautiful Mix For Area Birders — **White-throated Sparrow**

While walking along an area creek, soft calls of the White-throated Sparrow were heard from within the thicket lining the bank. Stopping for a look, several of these birds provided excellent views and photo opportunities.

IMG 5314 Edit Edit - March Providing A Beautiful Mix For Area Birders — **Male Mallard making his way across a frozen wetland.**

On cooler mornings, the water at a small wetland I like to visit was frozen. Regardless of whether there was open water or not Canada Geese and Mallards were present. Often overlooked due their abundance throughout the region, the Mallard’s beauty really stands out during sunny conditions.

IMG 5074 Edit Edit - March Providing A Beautiful Mix For Area Birders — **Female Mallard taking flight.**

For those of you looking to hone your photography skills, Mallards are the perfect subject for practicing exposure, focus, and even flight shots.

IMG 4878 Edit - March Providing A Beautiful Mix For Area Birders — **Despite many American Robins overwintering in our area, sightings increase once the snow melts in March.**

Several songbird species were also found foraging within the vegetation surrounding the small wetland including Common Grackles, Dark-eyed Juncos, and American Robins.

IMG 4750 Edit Edit - March Providing A Beautiful Mix For Area Birders — **A bird that almost never stops moving, the Golden-crowned Kinglet is a challenging species to photograph.**

Throughout the wooded areas I birded, chickadees, nuthatches, and Golden-crowned Kinglets were found as they moved through a stand of cedar and spruce trees. In my opinion, kinglets are the most challenging bird to photograph and they almost never stop moving.

IMG 5394 Edit Edit - March Providing A Beautiful Mix For Area Birders — **This male Red-bellied Woodpecker was one of many observed over the first two weeks of March.**

During the 109th London Christmas Bird Count held back in December, a record high number of Red-bellied Woodpeckers were reported. This is great news as not only is the Red-bellied Woodpecker my favourite bird, with so many other species in decline it’s nice to hear this species may be experiencing a population increase. I certainly have noticed more of these birds in recent years including several over the past few weeks. Learning and listening for their loud rolling call is the easiest way to locate this medium-sized woodpecker.

16423883373 27940111f6 o Edit Edit - March Providing A Beautiful Mix For Area Birders — **March is the best month to observe Tundra Swans at the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area.**

With warmer temperatures and some southwest winds in the forecast for next week, look for migration to resume once again. In particular more Tundra Swans should make their way across Southwestern Ontario. If you haven’t paid a visit to the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area, a popular annual stopover for these birds, it’s well worth the drive. Be sure to call the swan line before you go for an an update on the current numbers. Other waterfowl including Cackling Geese, Snow Geese, a Greater white-fronted Goose, and several duck species were reported this past week.

Regardless of what Mother Nature has in store for us in the coming weeks, March is a great month to get out birding. Resident and migrating birds can be found across the region in good numbers. Getting outside in the fresh air and enjoying a hike while connecting with nature is the perfect way to ring in a new season. If you get the chance, visit your favourite natural area, take in the beauty of these birds, and make the most of our great outdoors.

Good birding,
Paul

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3 Feeders Every Backyard Birder Should Own

Walk into any store specializing in feeding wild birds and the selection of feeders can be overwhelming to say the least. With so many styles to choose from, how do you choose the right one for your yard? Fortunately, the staff at these specialty stores are happy to offer expert advice based on your specific yard and the birds you wish to attract.

In my yard, I have as many as 10 feeders out at any given time which to many may seem like overkill, so for this post, I am going to share the top three I think every homeowner looking to attract an abundance of birds to their yard should own.

1. Tube Feeder

In a recent post titled How To Attract Northern Cardinals To Your Yard In 4 Easy Steps, I mentioned tube feeders as a great option for enticing these colour birds. In fact, tube feeders are a great option for offering seed to most birds that frequent our area. I prefer a squirrel proof tube feeder with Brome’s Squirrel Buster Plus and Squirrel Buster Classic being two great options.

IMG 8116 Edit Edit - 3 Feeders Every Backyard Birder Should Own — **Purple Finches have shown up at my tube feeder filled with black oil sunflower seed each of the past two Aprils.**

My personal favourite tube feeder is the Yankee Flipper by Droll Yankees. This feeder features a battery powered motor, which causes the perch ring to spin once activated by a squirrel’s weight. Squirrels quickly lose their grip and are gently thrown from the feeder. The large perch ring accommodates birds of all sizes while the metal construction provides exceptional durability. The clear polycarbonate tube holds a considerable amount of seed, which means I don’t have to fill this feeder as often as smaller models.

IMG 8144 Edit Edit 1 - 3 Feeders Every Backyard Birder Should Own — ***The large perch ring on the Yankee Flipper by Droll Yankees is perfect for attracting Northern Cardinals.***

I received my Yankee Flipper for Christmas in 2008, and the rechargeable battery is still going strong. Backed by a lifetime warranty (excluding the battery or electronic parts) this feeder, in my opinion, is worth every penny of its hefty price tag. Some of the birds observed in my backyard feeding at the Yankee Flipper include:

Northern Cardinal
Blue Jay
American Goldfinch
House Finch
Purple Finch
Carolina Wren
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Black-capped Chickadee
Mourning Dove
Rose-breasted Grosebeak

IMG 8349 Edit Edit - 3 Feeders Every Backyard Birder Should Own — ***Female Purple Finch***

I chose to hang my Yankee Flipper from a large sycamore branch overhanging my yard. The feeder can be accessed by squirrels jumping from the nearby fence top or descending the hook, but most of these critters have become privy to the unpleasant ride that follows and simply stare at the feeder in frustration.

2. Hopper Feeder

When it comes to versatility hopper feeders, especially those with a large platform at the base, are the best for enticing the widest variety of birds. It is these oversized feeding areas that will encourage larger species including Mourning Doves and other ground feeding birds to visit. Dark-eyed Juncos and several of the more desirable sparrow species will readily choose this style of feeder over all other varieties. What type of seed or mix you fill a hopper feeder with will determine what birds you attract.

15424601438 438f1e6e2f o - 3 Feeders Every Backyard Birder Should Own — **Placing peanuts in the shell on the large tray attached to my hopper feeder always attracts an abundance of Blue Jays.**

If you are looking to deter some of the larger bird species, smaller hopper feeders without an oversized base are available. Clinging birds like chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers will still be able to perch as will finches, while doves, jays, and grackles will have a harder time.

34623911520 19e53fd41a o - 3 Feeders Every Backyard Birder Should Own — This Red-headed Woodpecker was a surprise visitor to my hopper feeder last June. These particular birds are rare in our area and are currently listed as special concern on Ontario’s species at risk list.

Smaller hopper feeders can be hung while larger models are best pole mounted with a baffle to deter squirrels. Some hopper feeders even come with bonus suet cages mounted on either end, which are a nice addition as this high energy food will attract an even broader spectrum of birds. Hopper feeders have traditionally been constructed from cedar and other woods, but recycled plastic models are now available which are more weather resistant providing increased durability. Depending on the size of feeder and material you choose, the price will vary considerably, so select a model that suits your budget and landscape.

3. Peanut Feeder

A metal peanut feeder is an inexpensive way to attract a multitude of clinging birds to just about any backyard. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, and Carolina Wrens are some of the species that frequent my peanut feeder on a regular basis making it hands down my favourite feeder.

IMG 3664 Edit Edit - 3 Feeders Every Backyard Birder Should Own — **This metal peanut feeder is by far my favourite feeder as it attracts a wide variety of birds including Carolina Wrens.**

I have always said that if I could only have one feeder in my yard, this style of peanut feeder would be it because of the birds it attracts. One nice characteristic of this feeder is the peanut halves used to fill it are slightly larger than the holes that dispense them, meaning birds have to work at the peanut in order to remove them from the feeder. This keeps each bird on the feeder longer, resulting in extended viewing times.

hairy Edit Edit - 3 Feeders Every Backyard Birder Should Own — **Hairy Woodpeckers are among the four species of woodpecker that regularly visit my peanut feeder.**

I love woodpeckers with the Red-bellied being my absolute favourite bird, so for me, this feeder is a must have. I personally prefer the 16″ model (which retails for about $25) because its increased length gives larger woodpeckers like the Red-bellied, Hairy, and Northern Flicker a larger surface for balancing their tails. Like the tube feeder, I too hang this one from a tree branch.

White breasted nuthatch Edit - 3 Feeders Every Backyard Birder Should Own — **White-breasted Nuthatch.**

You might be wondering how to keep squirrels off this feeder as the smell of peanuts will certainly draw them in. I have found that most squirrels have difficulty descending the long thin wire I have mine hanging from and have not had much of a problem with squirrels on this feeder. The small holes in the feeder make it incredibly challenging for squirrels to access the peanuts allowing them to only nibble the ends of the peanuts that stick out. For this reason, squirrels cannot empty this feeder like they do others. If you prefer to keep squirrels off altogether, there are several baffles on the market this feeder can be hung beneath.

29674026725 f1a0a509a6 o - 3 Feeders Every Backyard Birder Should Own — **Red-breasted Nuthatch.**

Though some of these feeders may seem pricey, as the old saying goes you get what you pay for. Many of the higher end feeders are backed by a lifetime warranty reigning supreme over their cheaper counterparts. A good quality feeder will provide years of enjoyment and makes a great addition to any yard.

Adding these three feeders will attract just about every common bird found in our area to any yard and may even lure in a few rarities. If you are wishing to attract more birds to your property give one or all of these feeders a try, I’m sure you will be happy you did.

34176301036 7be4b1e79d o Edit - 3 Feeders Every Backyard Birder Should Own — ***A hopper feeder with a large tray at the bottom is great for attracting Mourning Doves and other ground feeding birds.***

Remember, when adding new feeders it can take a few weeks for birds to get accustomed to them, but with a little patience and these three models you will soon be enjoying a plethora of birds in your yard.

Good birding,
Paul

* Please note this post contains Amazon affiliate links. You can help support my website by using the above links when you purchase products on Amazon (they send me a few bucks when you do at no additional cost to you). I only provide links to products I have purchased and am satisfied with based on my own experience. Thanks for your support!*

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3 Simple Ways To Achieve Sharper Images

One of the biggest misconceptions in photography is that in order to achieve sharp images you need an expensive lens. I often hear people say “if I had this or that lens I could get pictures like that too.” I myself shared this same belief when getting started in photography, but quickly learned that this simply is not true. While expensive glass does have its advantages it certainly does not guarantee results. In reality, several factors are to blame for images that lack sharpness none of which are the fault of the lens.

When reviewing my images after a day of shooting rather than blame my lens for the images that are not sharp (yes there are plenty, but I don’t share them), I always take time to analyze each one and ask myself what I could have done differently in order to have obtained a sharp image. By doing so, I have learned how to adjust my settings and technique and implement those changes the next time I am in the field under similar conditions, which results in sharper images. Learning form my mistakes has helped improve my photography tremendously over the years.

Not everyone can afford a top of the line super telephoto lens, and even if you can unless a significant portion of your income comes from photography it’s hard to justify spending over $10,000 on a 500 mm or 600 mm prime lens. If you currently own or are thinking about purchasing one of these lenses, you are still unlikely to get sharp images unless you follow these three simple tips.

11595403066 da22ffe192 o - 3 Simple Ways To Achieve Sharper Images — **Whether photographing birds in flight or stationary subjects, shutter speed is one of the keys to sharper images.**

The Importance of Shutter Speed

Motion is regularly the biggest reason images are not sharp. Motion can be caused by either camera shake (not holding the camera steady) or the speed of your subject. The general rule in photography to eliminate camera shake when shooting hand held is to make sure your shutter speed is at least 1/focal length of your lens. This is known as the reciprocal rule. For example, with my Canon 100-400mm lens fully zoomed at 400mm I want my shutter speed to be at least 1/400th of a second . If you are shooting with a 250mm kens, make sure you are shooting at 1/250th of a second, 1/300th of a second for a 300mm lens and so on. This is one of the quickest ways to achieve sharper images, so adjust your aperture or ISO accordingly to achieve a faster shutter speed.

As mentioned, motion can also come from the speed at which your subject is moving and is a huge factor in wildlife photography. Unfortunately the reciprocal rule only applies to stationary subjects. When photographing birds that are constantly flitting or birds in flight, a much faster shutter speed is required. My goal when photographing any type of wildlife stationary or moving is to achieve a shutter speed of at least 1/1000th of a second as this has consistently delivered sharp images for me. I always start every shoot at ISO 800 even on sunny days as this typically gives me my desired shutter speed.

15284661888 16ba18d2d1 o - 3 Simple Ways To Achieve Sharper Images — **Holding your camera steady is paramount to achieving sharper images.**

Steady Your Camera And Lens

Holding your camera and lens steady are crucial to sharp images even with a fast shutter speed. Keeping a focus point on your subject becomes more challenging at longer focal lengths and when your subject is farther away. Even with fast shutter speeds, good technique is key to sharp images. When holding your camera, keep your arms bent and your elbows close to your sides. Place on foot in front of the other and bend your knees. The closer your camera is to your centre of gravity the easier it will be to keep a focus point on your subject.

Most people, especially those using zoom lenses, hold their lenses at the 9 o’clock position while rotating the zoom ring with their thumb, index, and middle fingers. This method may seem the most comfortable, but inevitably is setting you up for increased camera shake. Rotating your wrist in this manner puts it in an unnatural position and increases tightness on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your forearm. After a few minutes of holding a lens like this arm fatigue will set in and your hand will start to twitch. This twitching will present a real challenge when trying to hold a focus point on the subject, especially at great distances or with long focal lengths resulting in blurry images.

If you wish, you can experience the effects of holding a lens like this while reading this post. Hold your arm straight out in front of you with your thumb up. Rotate your wrist 90 degrees clockwise and you will instantly feel tightness in your forearm. Continue to hold your arm outstretched like this with your wrist rotated for several minutes and you will notice your hand start to twitch. Remember this will be amplified while supporting the weight of a camera and lens. To correct this, try supporting your lens from underneath at the 6 o’clock position with the palm of your hand facing up. This technique has helped me tremendously to steady my camera and lens, thus achieving sharper images.

Other helpful techniques for steadying your camera and lens would be to drop down to one knee while using the other to steady your elbow or sit down and use both knees to steady both elbows. Using various objects as supports including trees, fences, park benches, and picnic tables will also lead to sharper images.

36610332494 bc5cae87e7 o 2 - 3 Simple Ways To Achieve Sharper Images — **Stopping down adds depth to an image keeping more of the subject in focus, resulting in sharper images.**

Shoot At A Narrower Aperture

All lenses regardless of price point are sharper one stop either side of their widest and narrowest apertures. For this reason I always try to shoot at f/8 whenever possible. This is known as stopping down. Fully zoomed to 400mm, my lens’ widest aperture is f5.6. By stopping down to f/8 my images are noticeably sharper. Not only is my lens sharper at f/8 than at f/5.6, the narrower aperture gives my images more depth. Since getting close enough to my subject to fill the frame is rarely possible, most of my images are cropped at least slightly. This added depth really helps improve the sharpness of my images by keeping more of the subject in focus.

For those of you shooting with a kit lens in the 250mm to 300mm range, you too will have f/5.6 as your widest aperture when fully zoomed. Stopping down to f/8 will yield sharper images for you as well. If you are using one of the new Sigma or Tamron 150-600mm lenses, your widest aperture at 600mm will be f/6.3, so stopping down a full stop will put you at f/9. Keep in mind stopping down will cost you one stop of light in terms of shutter speed, but in decent light with your ISO at 800 you should still achieve a shutter speed of 1/1000th of a second.

If you already own a 500mm or 600mm f/4 lens, these same tips apply and will result in sharper images. If you don’t own one of these lenses, give these tips a try before you rush out and drop five figures on a new lens. By doing so, I’m certain you will be impressed by the capabilities of your current lenses. The blame for previously unsharp images will shift from equipment to photographer and the onus of sharp images will be on you.

Getting to know and understand your current gear is the biggest investment any photographer, professional or amateur, can make when it comes to achieving sharper images. Next time you are out in the field give these three tips a try, I think you will be pleased with the results.

Good birding,
Paul