Eastern Bluebird
Once again, I was trying out some different camera settings to improve my keeper rate for flying bird photos. I wanted to change the settings for flying birds, but not mess up the settings for perched and other non-flying birds, as those photos are fine. March 31 was sunny, but extremely windy, and very few birds were out. Only a few were flying, so I didn't get to do a lot of testing. Nature played an April Fool's joke on me the next day, as there was bright sunshine, calm winds, and not a single bird was flying here for testing different camera settings. I did get a few other photos.
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Bluebird
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Northern Mockingbird
White-crowned Sparrow
Field Sparrow
This morning started out sunny and quite chilly, but soon turned cloudy. At least I was able to get some Birds in Flight testing done.
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
House Finches
House Sparrow
American Robin
I went over to the golf course pond, and as soon as I got there, saw my first of the year Osprey circling above the pond. It dove and caught a fish. Unfortunately, my camera was set for flying birds at the time, and the dive and catch happened so quickly that the end of this photo sequence was not as good as I would have liked.
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
Osprey
I turned around, and one of our resident Red-shouldered Hawks was watching all of this.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Three Northern Rough-winged Swallows flew by. As I walked back to my car, I saw a female House Finch begging for a meal.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
House Finches
House Finches
During the last part of my hike, I saw another Red-shouldered Hawk.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
During the hike, I also saw some non-avian wildlife.
Deer
Rabbit
I still need to do more testing, and hope to try new settings on flying birds in good sunlight!