United States, Vermont

Winter birding in the backyard

Posted by Alex on

Being a snowboarder and photographer brings mixed feelings about snow.  One part of me wants to make more turns in the pow-pow (powdery snow), while the other part is ready for water to flow and animals to come out.  On the weekdays, when a few hours on the mountain aren’t possible, I like to shoot things around the yard.  With a good 18+ inches of packed snow in the yard the same old landscape shots get old quick.  Onto birds…especially the really difficult ones to shoot (I like the challenge)…

A Chickadee giving his wings some air.
A Chickadee giving his wings some air.
I'm not sure what the name of this species is. But they run up and down trees all day long. They can be pretty quick to shoot.
I’m not sure what the name of this species is. But they run up and down trees all day long. They can be pretty quick to shoot.
This hairy woodpecker has definitely found a home in the yard. He's around daily with at least 4 others.
This hairy woodpecker has definitely found a home in the yard. He’s around daily with at least 4 others.
Female Cardinal keeping an eye on things
Female Cardinal keeping an eye on things
This oriole was scouting for a mate
This oriole was scouting for a mate
Vermont Chickadee snagging a quick bite
Vermont Chickadee snagging a quick bite

For the photographers out there: All of these birds were shot with a Canon 1Ds MKIII or 1D MKIII with the 600mm f4L IS and a 1.4 teleconverter.  The entire gallery can be seen here:  http://poindexter.smugmug.com/Photography/Nature/Birds-of-Vermont/

Hopefully I can find some subjects larger than 4 inches to shoot very soon.