The Observation Deck

My fiancee & her brother took some nice photos at Sandy Ridge over the summer:

http://tinyurl.com/2hw2zc

http://tinyurl.com/2883ty

Joe Ott wrote:

John LePlae wrote:Joe, I noticed you had some sliced oranges in your suet holder, what else do you put in there?

If you have children (something we saw at the Botanical Gardens a couple weeks ago) is to take empty cardboard paper towel (or TP) rolls, roll them in Crisco, then roll that (mess) in birdseed. Tie a string to it and hang from a tree or something. David, maybe that would work for you(?).

Brad, thanks for the tip.
Sandy Ridge Reservation looks like a little jewel.

Now that is a craft I can do! and who doesn't have Crisco lying around! Thanks for the tip. My new backyard birds thank you too!

Brad Hutchison wrote:My parents live right behind Sandy Ridge Reservation in North Ridgeville, part of the Lorain County Metroparks. They have a pair of nesting Bald Eagles.

So much for the idea of getting pictures of the eagles and posting them for the LO. The PD must read what we say here...

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindeal ... thispage=1

Bully for Bald Eagles!

Brad,
There really are Bald Eagles out there. I caught a glimpse of one this afternoon. Dark, cold, and kinda drizzly. I took this shot from one of the developments. Couldn't really see the eagle from inside the park. He/she was on the outskirts of the park. Its nest is, sadly, literally right above where they are getting ready to build some houses. If the eagles stay in that nest, which is huge, it will actually be in someones back yard.




He wasn't happy with me and took off....

I wish I had the same amount of birds in my yard this year as last winter!

great shots joe, were these taken with the 300mm?

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote: great shots joe, were these taken with the 300mm?

Thanks, yes with my trusty little 70-300VR (450 on my D200). Next time I will take a longer and faster prime lens as well as a tripod.

I'll go again when/if the sun ever comes out...

Great shots Joe!

That stabilized long VR lens is magic! I used to do professional photography and what a pain that vibration factor was with the long lenses. Over Christmas, I picked up a VR (vibration reduction) long lens and wowie! What a great nature and photo-journalistic tool for the digital photographer!

Of course, one must have the eye to use it, as well.

I really believe that a non-sunny day can be a great time to get photos, as contrasting shadows are non-existent, and a good overall image can be achieved. Sunshine brings shadows, and these can ruin an otherwise great photo.

For those unaware of the judging aspects of prize-winning photography, both of Joe's eagle shots are potentially prize winners. There is something called "the rule of thirds" which places four composition points slightly off-center in a photograph for the subject matter. Joe achieves that, along with exigent points of interest, to create stunning wildlife photography, not only with these, but with his other bird shots, as well.

It would be indeed wonderful, if it were easier for more of those involved with the creative arts (music, photography, etc..) to make an actual living from them.

We are so fortunate to have fine photographers among us, to contribute to the pulse of our city.

I'm blown away by all of your pictures. I appreciate your putting the names of the birds in too.

Joe Ott wrote: Thanks, yes with my trusty little 70-300VR (450 on my D200). Next time I will take a longer and faster prime lens as well as a tripod.

I'll go again when/if the sun ever comes out...

I've yet to get a VR lens...

Joe

Glad you got to see them. I'm thankful Lorain County Metroparks got Sandy Ridge down when it did, because they're packing in the houses around it. All those houses were cornfields 10 years ago.

Thanks everybody.

Gary, VR is nice for those of us who have a really hard time holding the camera steady. It's useless with moving objects though. In fact, I turn if off for sports, flying birds, and so on. You really don't want the lens to "lock on" in those circumstances.

David, the Nikkor 70-300VR is a little gem. For the money, you can't beat it. Nice focal length, AF-S, and legendary Nikkor optics. All for a low price. It's a very popular lens. We'll have to hook up and you can use it. Maybe next trip to see the eagles. For the birds/eagles, I think the 500mm or 300mm f4 w/1.4 TC is a much better option though...

These kinds of threads are fun and there should be more of them. Fewer of the "doom and gloom", "the world is going to end" and "Lakewood is becoming a ghetto" type threads. Well, ok, maybe it is but it doesn't hurt to smile once in a while!

Nice shots, Joe. Your nuthatch is a red-breasted nuthatch, a little more uncommon than the white breasted variety.

while I haven't ventured outside yet to get a few bird shots, here's a bird shot that you probably won't find in your garden!