GREAT BIRD WATCHING WEEKEND (PART 2)

Great Blue Heron, Green Island Preserve, Mississippi Valley, Iowa

Spending time in the wetlands along the Mississippi River is one of the things I really enjoy and last weekend wasn’t any different. I got quite a few hours of practice with the new Nikkor Z 600 f/6.3 lens and like to share a few images with you.

Some easy shots of this Great Blue Heron were made a minute earlier, as the heron still stood motionless on the dyke. When the bird finally took off I was able to pan with the lens and follow the bird for a few pics. Good panning is still a matter of practice but it is a lot easier with the much lighter Z 600 than with my good old Sigma 150-600 S.

Sandhill Cranes

I counted 87 Sandhill Cranes foraging in the field of the Green Island Bird Sanctuary. This was the highest number I have ever seen in the fall at this location. Some of the cranes performed their elaborate courtship displays, mostly served between mates to maintain their pair bond. The cranes were more than half a mile away, almost one kilometer, and some heat shimmer above the ground effected sharpness a bit. However, I was amazed how clear the lens still rendered despite the distance.

Garter Snake

This Garter Snake was stretched out on the gravel road and seemed to wait for the return of the sun from behind a cloud. Before I guided the snake back into the grass, so nobody could accidentally or intentionally drive over it, a few clicks were made. Should have gotten still a little lower but at least nothing in the background distracts from this nice Garter Snake. I have seen a few snakes lately and this gives me some hope that population may bounce back.

Sandhill Cranes, Heritage Pond, Cooler Valley, Eastern Iowa

This photo was made a day later at the Heritage Pond and marsh, not far from home. A pair of Sandhill Cranes, maybe the same as last year, had flown in from the Mississippi and started searching for food in the mud. Very little rain during the last couple months dried the pond out again but the cranes seemed to like it. They are extremely careful and most of the time one crane keeps its head up while the other one is looking for food.

All photos: Nikon Z6II, Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S

GREAT BIRD WATCHING WEEKEND

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Despite quite a bit of wind it was a great weekend for bird watching and bird photography and some of the best happened right here at home. First I saw a female Yellow-rumped Warbler in the elm tree next to the balcony. As I stepped out in the open it became clear there was more than just one and later I saw at least five birds. They picked spiders and insects from leaves and from the cedar siding of our house. I wonder how long we may see Yellow-rumped Warblers this season. Normally they migrate further south but during the winter 2021/22 we had a few birds here at least until mid January.

I just stood on the deck with the Nikkor Z 600 f/6.3 on camera and tried to catch them as the warblers moved around very quickly. With this kind of photography the advantages of the new lens over my trusted SIGMA 150-600 made a big difference and one disadvantage of this lens played a role as well.

The very light weight, about half of the Sigma, makes for very good and easy handholding and moving around quickly. The focus speed and precision is just phenomenal and my keeper rate is way up above what I ever was able to obtain with the old lens for shooting little birds in a tree. The only disadvantage I’m aware of is the longer MFD (Minimum Focus Distance). The Z 600 starts at 4 meter, 1.2 m more than the Sigma. I had a couple moments when a bird landed really close and no way to step back. With other words, those shots were missed.

As mentioned, there was more going on this weekend and I really tried to learn how to handle the Nikkor Z 600 f/6.3, but this is for another blog post during this week.

Nikon Z6II, Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S

COPPER PEAK

Copper Peak Ski Jump, Upper Peninsula, Michigan

Since my childhood I have followed ski jumping competitions. It was a big deal, and still is over in Europe and Japan, and we wouldn’t miss any of the big events broadcasted on TV every winter. While camping in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan last month we didn’t want to miss visiting the world’s largest artificial ski jump, Copper Peak. This jump hill is out of commission since 30 years now, but big plans have been made and the State of Michigan has granted $20 million to redevelop the hill to host international competitions. The jump hill needs to be changed tremendously to bring this ski jump up to todays standards for ski flying. I really hope it will happen.

View from the top

Some leaves started changing but we were a little early for the peak of fall colors. However, the view from the top of the ski jump is breath taking. With the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness below and Lake Superior in the background you just get an idea how vast and beautiful the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is. I was just happy to have at least a few clouds in the sky…

Nikon Z6II, Nikkor Z 24-70, f/4 S,

NATURE CLICKS #586 - TUFTED TITMOUSE

Tufted Titmouse, Little Maquoketa Valley, Eastern Iowa

A simple click in the front yard last week. The new Nikkor Z 600 f/6.3 VR S lens is so much easier to handhold and allows to move around quickly if a bird, like this Tufted Titmouse, changes location and peels off the shell of a sunflower seed.

Nikon Z6II, Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S

EVENING AT THE DUNES

Sand Dunes at Petoskey State Park, Lake Michigan

Already deep in our vacation a long day of travel led us to Petoskey State Park at the northeast shore of Lake Michigan. When your senses are still trapped in a driving state it is more than a pleasure to walk barefoot on the access trail over the dunes to the beach and unwind by sitting in the sand and wait for the sunset. As much as we loved the beautiful weather, with lots of sun for camping and relaxing, but with hardly any clouds in the sky, the photographer rolls his eyes…

Well, it was time to make the best out of it and embrace the soft light of the setting sun over the dunes along Little Traverse Bay at Lake Michigan.

On a not so unimportant note, it always amazes me how disrespectful many people are to nature and rules that try to protect our natural treasures. The campground was on the other side side of the dunes, and it is not a small one. Posted signs and fences make it very clear that walking across the dunes outside of the access trails may increase erosion and can lead to destruction of the dunes. The many human tracks in the sand make me wondering how many people in this country can’t read, or just give a dam about their natural resources… Very sad!

INTERESTING? OH, JUST TURN AROUND…

It is easy to forget everything around if you have an interesting subject in the viewfinder of the camera, like the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse at Lake Superior on the Keweenaw Peninsula. This pine on the cliffs just below the lighthouse wasn’t less captivating and it was the puffy clouds over the bay that made for a balanced composition.

Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, Lake Superior, Upper Peninsula, Michigan

All images: Nikon Z6II, Nikkor Z 24-70, f/4 S

NO LACK OF WATERFALLS

Manido Falls, Presque Isle River, Upper Peninsula, Michigan

We came back from a trip to Michigan, mainly on the Upper Peninsula, a few days ago. Our first campsite was at Black River Harbor at Lake Superior and from there we explored the Western UP and in particular the Porcupine Mountains.

The Upper Peninsula is a gorgeous nature area and some of the highlights are the many beautiful waterfalls. One of my favorites is Manido Falls. Although it is the smallest fall along the Presque Isle River, only about 4.5 meters high, but I love how it is tucked into the natural landscape. Naturally occurring tannic acids in the water give the falls their brownish tea color. I have photographed Manido Falls in November of 2010 with some snow and ice and a bit more water coming down across the terraces in the foreground, but I like the contrasty look we had this time as well. As always, it pays back to take a tripod on the hike to a waterfall and try out different longer exposure times for the appearance of the flowing water. This can vary and is often a personal preference.

Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Nikon Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm, f/4, GITZO tripod GT2931 Basalt, KIRK BH-3 ball head     @ 70mm, 1/5s, f/16, ISO 100

NATURE CLICKS #585 - TURKEY VULTURES

Turkey Vultures, Mississippi River, near lock & dam #11, Dubuque, Iowa

From early spring until it gets cold here they belong into the Mississippi Valley. Some people think of them only as ugly birds but they may have never watched really how elegant these vultures fly and soar in a thermal lift. I consider them as the environmental police along the Mississippi River. They feed on carrion and without their presence, often in large numbers, the Mississippi River would be at times very smelly.

I was eager to try out the new Nikon lens last Sunday along the river on both sides around dam #11 in Dubuque and over in Wisconsin. With the dam visible in the upper part of the photo I thought of an environmental portrait of the Turkey Vultures. Five of them rested on driftwood and the rocks of the flood wall. I could choose which bird I wanted to have in the frame and this one was among my favorites.

Nikon Z6II, Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S

NEW NIKON Z LENS - FIRST SHOTS

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

A new tool made it into the gear locker. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S lens was delivered last week during my absence from home. Today I’m not writing about it, or why I wanted it in my camera bag, or even how it is performing. I just like to share some photos I made over the weekend with the new lens.

I still think the best place for trying out a piece of new camera gear for the first time is at home or in a well known local area. Reading the manual (I know, not everybody likes that part) and trying and testing in a controlled environment is the key for me to find out if a new acquisition is matching my expectations or if it has the potential to exceed them. In the front yard or any other place you have shot hundreds of times before, where you know how the light will hit your subject, it is easy to compare your results with everything you have done before at the same location.

Well, there is not much activity at this time of the year in our woods. Even very few local bird species come to a feeder or bird bath at the moment. Most of the migrating birds have left and headed south already, except for the smallest one. We still have quite a few Ruby-throated Hummingbirds coming through, stop at our feeders, stay for a while, and fight with other hummers about the ownership of a feeder. Usually this will end at the end of September or in early October.

Blue Jay

In my blog I always have tried to be a helpful source for other photography friends and shared my impressions about locations, things that I learned from other photographers, and of course, the experience with any part of photo gear I use. Can you tell how much I’m excited about the chance to improve my visual story telling with this new lens? I will share what I hope to learn in the next few weeks about this new wildlife lens with you, so please stay tuned…

All images: Nikon Z6II, Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S

ONLY IN VEGAS

The Sphere - Las Vegas

It has been a busy week and I spent it in Las Vegas, Nevada where the annual trade show of the printing industry took place. I’m not really interested in the activities Vegas is known for, however, while walking back to the hotel after dinner one night I found an unobstructed view to the SPHERE, the music and entertainment arena and the world’s largest spherical structure. I recorded some footage of the impressive display at night and I hope you enjoy it.

Photo and videos: Nikon Z6II, Nikkor Z 24-70, f/4 S

THE BONUS - A RED-TAILED HAWK

Red-tailed Hawk at Julien Dubuque Monument, Mines of Spain, Dubuque, Iowa

Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S, Induro GIT 404XL tripod, Induro GHB2 gimbal head.   @ 600mm, 1/640s, f6.3, ISO800, image slightly cropped

This morning the Dubuque Audubon Society had invited for another birding event into the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area. Our guide Tony Moline, a very experienced birder, helped the group to find warblers, vireos, and other migrating birds and study them in the early morning sun. Most activities required binoculars for watching and identification but the distance for a decent photo was often too big. Nevertheless, it was very interesting to see at least a few of the migrators. I just read that tonight 426.7 Million birds are predicted to move south in the United States. A very impressive number!

Just before everybody was ready to say goodbye shortly after 10am we were treated with a bonus. This Red-tailed Hawk suddenly landed in a tree just in front of the group and on eye level with us. The camera was on tripod and pointed already in that direction and all what I had to do was to adjust quickly the exposure compensation for the existing light and lay down the hammer on the shutter release button. The bird gave us about one minute for that very enjoyable moment.

Thank you Tony for being such a good guide again and for sharing your knowledge with us!

CHIMNEY SWIFTS COMING IN FOR THE NIGHT

Chimney Swifts, Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa

Tonight was a pop-up birding event, made public by Marty Corfman, a very active member of the Audubon Society, at the Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. We were able to see hundreds of Chimney Swifts circle around the tower of the seminar and finally pour into an old chimney after sunset. I’m sure everybody who joined this event enjoyed it and was touched by watching the swifts showing up one after another and entering their roost for the night. Thank you Marty for the invitation!

The Chimney Swifts will depart soon for the tropical areas in South America, where they will spend the winter. I shot a number of still images, like the one above, but also recorded a short video sequence. Feel free to click the video link below.

Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Nikon Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm, f/4

NATURE CLICKS #584 - CHINESE MANTIS (Tenodera sinensis)

Chinese Mantis, Mines of Spain, Dubuque, Iowa

Yesterday I promised you the photo of an interesting insect we found during a hike in the Mines of Spain. It was a species, commonly known as a praying mantis, just sitting in the grass on the trail. This one is a Chinese mantis, native to Asia and nearby islands, but it was introduced to America accidentally in 1896. They eat primarily other insects but females are also known to catch sometimes small vertebrates. This one was about 4 inches long (~11 cm), much bigger than the European mantis or the Carolina mantis, which can be found here as well.

I read September is there mating time and this can be a tragic time for some males because the females are cannibalistic and cannibalism occurs in about half of matings.

They have forelegs that are greatly enlarged and adapted for catching and gripping prey. Their upright posture, while remaining stationary with forearms folded, has led to the common name praying mantis. (source for all facts: Wikipedia)

I started taking some pictures from slightly above but it didn’t satisfy me. Laying in the grass and going down with the lens to eye level with the mantis made at the end for the better photo.

Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Nikon Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm, f/4

LABOR DAY HIKE

We used the afternoon of Labor Day last Monday for a hike in the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area, just south of Dubuque, Iowa. Yes, many prairie flowers and plants have passed their prime already, but there is still a lot of beauty on the prairie and in the woods above the Mississippi River at the end of summer. Here are a few photos I made along the trail during our hike, which led us to the most remote parts of the Mines of Spain. The Nikon Nikkor AFS 70-200 f/4 was the only lens on camera. I like this focal range for hikes or walks, allowing me to zoom in for details, but also still having the choice for a wider view on a landscape at 70 mm if necessary.

We had a nice discovery of an interesting insect, but this is for another blog post, maybe tomorrow. So please stay tuned…

All images: Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Nikon Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm, f/4

NO SUMMER WITHOUT HUMMERS

Juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbird

I can’t let the summer go by without making a few pictures of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. I guess the birds who have been in our woods during the breeding season have moved on already and it seems we see different hummers every day now on their way south to Central America. However, this juvenile defended one of the hummingbird feeders fiercely and didn’t let any other bird even come close all afternoon.

I experimented quite a bit today with different exposure times or exposure compensation for the background and used also the Westscott FJ80 II speed light. In the picture above the bird was backlit and I froze the hummer at 1/4000s and let the translucency of the wings tell the story. The sun didn’t hit the front element of the lens directly because I shot from underneath the roof of our porch. A hint of flash made sure the body of the bird got some light as well.

The photo below was shot three hours later, about mid afternoon, when the sunlight wasn’t as harsh anymore. With almost the same settings (f/8, ISO8000, -1EV) but a shutter speed of only 1/400s the result was totally different. Of course, with such a slow shutter the wings are not frozen, which I actually prefer in most of my photos of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.

Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S, Induro GIT 404XL tripod, Induro GHB2 gimbal head, Westscott FJ80 II speed light, Westscott Magnetic diffusion dome