NikonGear'23

Images => Nature, Flora, Fauna & Landscapes => Topic started by: Tom Hook on May 14, 2016, 03:56:46

Title: Carolina Wren and lunch
Post by: Tom Hook on May 14, 2016, 03:56:46: I was driving back from a neighboring town today and from my car, I saw a Carolina Wren. I grabbed the camera and got off three shots while stopped at an intersection. Here was that bird with what looks to me like a rather large earwig firmly in its grasp.

It was lunchtime after all.
Title: Re: Carolina Wren and lunch
Post by: Tristin on May 14, 2016, 04:37:07: It's a cricket.
Title: Re: Carolina Wren and lunch
Post by: Tom Hook on May 14, 2016, 04:59:28: You might be right about that, I am not an expert in such areas. However, it seems early for crickets here in Connecticut. Plus, earwigs can look a bit like this creature, and as I go all figurative on you, what a wonderful name for an insect - I learned it from my grandmother many years ago.

Earwig!

Thanks for the heads-up.

Cheers.
Title: Re: Carolina Wren and lunch
Post by: Akira on May 14, 2016, 06:30:57: Tom, glad to see you posting. This is a lively image!
Title: Re: Carolina Wren and lunch
Post by: Peter Connan on May 15, 2016, 08:30:37: Very nice image!
Title: Re: Carolina Wren and lunch
Post by: elsa hoffmann on May 15, 2016, 09:26:24: Amazing - what goes through a little bird's mind when catching lunch as big as that.
Good capture Tom. Thanks for sharing
Title: Re: Carolina Wren and lunch
Post by: Mongo on May 15, 2016, 11:23:29: wonderful capture Tom. Also, the shade of green in the background is just sumptuous. Nothing as subtly beautiful as this wren where Mongo comes from
Title: Re: Carolina Wren and lunch
Post by: Jakov Minić on May 15, 2016, 22:33:47: Tom, this is a lovely capture! How did you spot the bird, I don't know, but well done :)
Title: Re: Carolina Wren and lunch
Post by: Tom Hook on May 15, 2016, 23:10:52: Quote from: Jakov Minić on May 15, 2016, 22:33:47
Tom, this is a lovely capture! How did you spot the bird, I don't know, but well done :)

Hi Jakov. being a birder, I have developed a sense over time of when a bird pops into view even on my periphery. I was at a stop sign and had such a sensible moment and there was the wren out the passenger's side of the car. I just happened to have a 300 2.8 with a 1.4 tc on the seat next to me. I picked it up and took the shot. I noticed the bird had something in its mouth but I thought it was material for a nest. I didn't notice what it was until I got home and realized it was an insect/earwig/cricket and the bug was in focus!
Title: Re: Carolina Wren and lunch
Post by: Frank Fremerey on May 16, 2016, 01:11:37: I love those little birds! In your pic the determination and funny
expression shines. Thank you.
Title: Re: Carolina Wren and lunch
Post by: ColinM on May 16, 2016, 18:32:34: Nice capture Tom

Quote from: Tom Hook on May 15, 2016, 23:10:52
I just happened to have a 300 2.8 with a 1.4 tc on the seat next to me.

Ahhh....preparation & readiness is the key to many things in life :)
I've only used the f2.8 once but loved the speed of acquisition and focus lock. Guess the car windowsill makes a handy support.
Title: Re: Carolina Wren and lunch
Post by: Tom Hook on May 16, 2016, 22:42:03: Thanks Colin. Actually had to hand hold it because I was in the driver's seat and didn't have time to switch seats and prop the camera on the sill. I've found that lens is just at my limit of tolerance, a perfect "shoot from the car" option. Beyond that, I need a window frame or something equally as sturdy to carry the weight!