Posted by Craig Strand on December 13, 2011 at 2:01 PM
This tiny 4 inch Ruby-crowned Kinglet and his cousin the Golden-crowned are a couple of the more challenging birds to capture. The challenges lie in their ceaseless energy, jumping from branch to branch while remaining on any one for just seconds. You and your cameras autofocus can get a great workout chasing one. The other challenge is catching one in the open, devoid of branches and foliage clutter, their favorite habitat. Occasionally with several deletable attempts on your media card you get lucky and he may even have the colorful crown feathers showing.
Ridgefield Nat'l Wildlife Refuge
canon 7D
canon 600mm f/4.L IS USM
F/6.3 1/100 ISO 800
auto window beanbag rest, CS5, LR3, Niks suite
Posted by Ned Fenimore on December 13, 2011 at 2:36 PM
That looks really good as always.. color is nice and isolation is great.. I like the expression, too!
Fantastic! Exciting to have "caught" it. How on earth do you even spot this little beauty?? Gotta be your knowledge of it's preferred habitat helps a lot, but still, look how well camouflaged!
Posted by Pete Jacks on December 14, 2011 at 2:03 AM
I am amazed at the captures you manage. I did not realize there were this many different species in the state of Washington.
Posted by Scott Smorra on December 15, 2011 at 11:13 PM
The crown of red feathers really makes this one nice. You were definitely rewarded for your persistence here.
Discussion
4 repliesRidgefield Nat'l Wildlife Refuge
canon 7D
canon 600mm f/4.L IS USM
F/6.3 1/100 ISO 800
auto window beanbag rest, CS5, LR3, Niks suite