Bird images from warmer and sunnier days

Scratching Snowy Egret – Nikon D200, handheld, f5.6, 1/250, ISO 400, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 200mm

I love winter, I love seeing snow on the mountains and feeling the crispness in the air but I am getting tired of gray cloudy days and heavy fog so I thought I would post a few images from warmer and sunnier days that I took while I lived in Florida.

It wasn’t exactly sunny when I photographed the Snowy Egret scratching its neck above but it certainly was warmer.

White Ibis feeding in the Gulf of Mexico Nikon D200, handheld, f8, 1/800, ISO 250, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 300mm, natural light

It was quite warm when I photographed this adult White Ibis as it hunted and fed in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico on a sunny August day in 2008. Temps were probably in the high 90’s with humidity levels of about the same.

Brown Pelican in flight – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 200, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 300mm, natural light

I took the Brown Pelican in flight image not long after I had gotten my Nikon D200 and I was learning about the camera. Unfortunately I clipped just the top of the pelican’s wingtip at the top of the frame so when I cropped the image I removed just the wingtips at the lower edge of the frame to balance out the composition. I’m still not sure I like that but I do love the direct eye contact I got from the pelican and the fluffy clouds in the background.

Black Skimmer on a hazy day – Nikon D200, handheld, f7.1, 1/750, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light

It was a hazy day when I photographed this Black Skimmer adult in breeding plumage, the wind was blowing and the temps were fairly high. I remember the warmth and texture of the sugar sand I was laying on and being grateful for the wind to help cool me off while I took images of this Skimmer calling.

I’m not exactly wishing winter would go away because winter here in Utah will last a bit longer but when I edit images from warmer days I realize it won’t be long until spring has sprung.

Mia

By Mia McPherson|January 31st, 2013|Categories: Birds, Black Skimmers, Brown Pelicans, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, Snowy Egrets, White Ibises|Tags: bird photography, Black Skimmer, Brown Pelican, calling, clouds, direct eye contact, egret, egrets, Egretta thula, Eudocimus albus, feeding, flight, ibis, ibises, Pelecanus occidentalis, pelican, pelicans, Rynchops niger, scratching, skimmer, skimmers, sky, Snowy Egret, wading birds, White Ibis|29 Comments

29 Comments

Susan February 1, 2013 at 6:50 am

Love these images, so tired of cold and snow, can’t wait for spring:)
- Mia McPherson February 1, 2013 at 7:52 am
  
  Thanks Susan!
Julie Brown February 1, 2013 at 3:58 am

Six degrees today, with a bitter wind-so I am longing for the warmer days of spring myself. I went to Amelia Island during Christmas break and saw lots of Brown Pelicans flying by. Your shot looking up shows really nice feather detail on the breast, and good eye contact, as you mentioned. I also got somewhat closer to the skimmers than I had been, as they hunkered down against the cold winter wind. As I was trying to get some decent shots, I thought “now Mia would have lain in the wet sand or water to get low.” I seriously thought about it, but my old knees just won’t let me do that very easily.
- Mia McPherson February 1, 2013 at 7:56 am
  
  Julie, I probably would have just flopped down to get the images!
M. Firpi January 31, 2013 at 10:45 pm

Excuse me, it’s called “Caribbean Biodiversity”.
M. Firpi January 31, 2013 at 9:51 pm

I love the skimmer and the snowy egret. Mia, my blog’s name changed to:The Caribbean Biodiversity Link. I’m Maria, the same one.
- Mia McPherson February 1, 2013 at 7:56 am
  
  Thanks for letting me know Maria!
Lois Bryan January 31, 2013 at 4:32 pm

gorgeous … and a joy to view!!!!
- Mia McPherson February 1, 2013 at 7:56 am
  
  Thank you Lois!
eric c11 January 31, 2013 at 1:38 pm

nice serie ☺
- Mia McPherson February 1, 2013 at 7:56 am
  
  Thanks Eric!
Bob Bushell January 31, 2013 at 12:53 pm

They are beautiful, I love the birds of America, cheers Mia.
- Mia McPherson February 1, 2013 at 7:57 am
  
  Thank you Bob.
Wally January 31, 2013 at 12:41 pm

I’m finding so many places I want to visit nearby but I MUST get to the Fort soon! It’s been an unusually warm January. Very conducive to getting out!
Fantastic images! The Pelican appears to be giving you the eye.
- Mia McPherson February 1, 2013 at 8:01 am
  
  Yes Wally, you really should get to Fort De Soto, it is awesome! Thanks for commenting.
Tami January 31, 2013 at 12:34 pm

Ahhhh… Vacationing Vicariously with Mia! That’s the title I’ve given these warm-weather posts in my mind. 🙂 Love the neat shot of the skimmer – great look at its odd beak.
- Mia McPherson February 1, 2013 at 8:02 am
  
  You sure made me smile Tami! Thanks for commenting.
Prairie Birder January 31, 2013 at 10:11 am

The photos are very nice and warming, Mia.
- Mia McPherson February 1, 2013 at 8:02 am
  
  Thanks Charlotte
Rohrerbot January 31, 2013 at 9:11 am

I think we all that going on right now. Missing the summer birds but not the weather:) I’m loving the cold temps and enjoying the fieldwork. All of our hummers are elsewhere. Yesterday I was with Kathie and we found the tree swallows and cormorants which are typically spring summer birds and it was exciting. I missed them and hadn’t realized it. Beautiful shots as always!
- Rohrerbot January 31, 2013 at 9:12 am
  
  whoops! I meant to say, I think we all are feeling that right now:)
  - Mia McPherson February 1, 2013 at 8:02 am
    
    I got it Chris 🙂 !
- Mia McPherson February 1, 2013 at 8:03 am
  
  Thank you Chris.
Sherry in MT January 31, 2013 at 7:32 am

That first shot makes me want to reach out and pet those fluffy feathers. No worries, winter is well on its way to spring!
- Mia McPherson January 31, 2013 at 7:38 am
  
  Thanks Sherry! I’ve noticed lately that there are tree buds swelling in preparation for spring, that is a good sign!
Scott (@NESASK) January 31, 2013 at 7:08 am

Look at those eyes in every shot, reflecting that nice weather!
- Mia McPherson January 31, 2013 at 7:14 am
  
  Thank you Scott!
Laurence Butler January 31, 2013 at 6:58 am

There’s the sun! Great images Mia. I feel warmer already : )
- Mia McPherson January 31, 2013 at 7:14 am
  
  Thanks Laurence, I feel warmer looking at them too!

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