A studio for bird study

Tag: bird

July 13, 2013

American Golden-Plover- Pluvialis dominica

by Bryce W. Robinson

IMG_5677Lately I’ve discussed a problem I have with birds being too close to photograph. This plover has a nest I’ve been monitoring, and each time I visit, the bird does its best to draw attention to itself, and away from the nest. I’ve used this behavior to my advantage for photography, but so often the bird comes too close for the composition I like. My friend Ron, and exceptional photographer, commented on his own experiences, saying that he often embraces this closeness, capturing a headshot. I wanted to share this photo, because I too embraced the birds behaviors, and the result pleases me.

I turned the camera to capture the legs, and hopefully the whole body, but ended up clipping out the back end of the bird. Still, I really like the photograph.

Today, different bird was on the nest. The new bird appeared to be the female. Sadly, close by, the remains of the bird in the above photograph were found. Perhaps, in the line of duty, this bird lost its life distracting a predator from the nest. A sad instance in the life of the American Golden-Plover.

 

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July 9, 2013

Buff-breasted Sandpiper- Tryngites subruficollis

by Bryce W. Robinson

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Now this is my favorite sandpiper of the tundra, I promise.

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper intrigues me to no end, and I do not know why. Perhaps it is the interesting courtship displays they employ while courting potential mates on the lek, or perhaps it is their simple yet satisfying aesthetic.

Photographing these birds has been difficult. It has been an outright failure, till I visited a nest the other day. Then, I had cooperative subject. Cooperative is not quite the best word for the subject, as it implies a certain awareness to my intentions. What I had was a very concerned and responsible parent, doing its best to draw me away from its nest, and weigh the risk of my presence.

Lately, I’ve been experiencing something new to my photography. I keep having birds too close… Too close? How is that a problem?

While I set myself up at the optimal distance, I’ve often had birds walk towards me, within feet, to analyze my intentions, and exhibit their distraction. Patience is a virtue in this instance. Each bird has its own style, and each species has its own technique. This Buff-breasted seemed to have a calm, silent approach to dealing with the bearded inquisitor. When I finally came too close, she was off the nest, but only to walk about, in a seemingly natural manner, foraging here, foraging there. She often came too close, but I allowed her to conduct her business.

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When she was too close, I enjoyed the experience. When she wandered to areas of good light and proper distance, I let the shutter go. As mentioned in my earlier post, the grass became an issue. But perhaps I’ve had a change of heart, as the habitat the bird frequents tells a story. On my belly, I capture the bird on their level, and in the tundra, the grass is ever-present and a consistent part of their world. It should be in the photo of this bird on its nesting grounds. I want my photos to be as natural as the subject they portray.

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I made a trip back to this nest today. The eggs had many pip holes, and I could see small beaks working their way to chip and break out into the world. Tomorrow, there will be small Buff-breasted Sandpipers making their first steps into a tundra grassland full of danger and life. I hope to make it there before they wander too far for me to find.

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June 30, 2013

Ruddy Turnstone- Arenaria interpres

by Bryce W. Robinson

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It’s been a real treat to see the Ruddy Turnstone on its breeding grounds. These birds have quite a story. Their name is fitting, as they are known to turn stones in search for food, but even more incredible in my eyes is a peculiar piece of their diet. The Ruddy Turnstone eats the eggs of other nests, a behavior quite unlike any other shorebird that I know. They are also quite tenacious. I’ve observed these birds chasing jaegers out of their territory, and while I was taking some time to watch and photograph a pair, they were unreserved in expressing their intolerance of my intrusion. It’s expected when I am hazed by territorial jaegers, but having a turnstone flying at my face comes rather unanticipated. It’s an experience worth having, trust me.

 

 

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June 27, 2013

Semipalmated Sandpiper- Calidris pusilla

by Bryce W. Robinson

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The most common shorebird I encounter lately is the Semipalmated Sandpiper. When displaying, the male flies about, even hovering with wings in rapid motion, calling consistently. The call is difficult to describe, but I’ll make an attempt. There is a sound from childhood, when we as imaginative children fastened a playing card to the spokes of our bicycles with a rubber band to simulate the sound of a motor. The sound of the playing card, while riding at moderate speeds, is much like the display call of the Semipalmated Sandpiper. I ought to simply record the audio…

This bird does not like to leave its nest. When it does, it makes adorable chatter and distressing sounds. As with other ground nesting birds, it has developed distraction techniques in attempts to lure an intruder from the nest. Often, as I process the contents of the nest, the bird wanders closely chatting at me. I find it adorable, but that is the human in me.

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I’ve very much enjoyed experiencing this species on a daily basis. The schedule shows that of the nests I’ve recorded to this point, a few should be hatching in as little as two days. I plan to capture what these delicate birds look like as they first venture into the world. I’m sure it is “face melting”, as they say.

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