Posts in Category: Wildlife
Photos, stories and ‘how I got the shot’ about birds and animals in the wild
Bluebird Update April 14, 2022
I’m beginning to wonder if Mrs. Bluebird has decided to make building her nest a lifetime project. She was back at it again this morning. Usually it takes only a few days for bluebirds to build their nest. I’m sure she knows what she’s doing.
This morning’s video is a bit choppy. I had some network hiccup that stopped the continuous recording on my desktop. The camera will save a 12-second clip every time it senses motion (with a five-minute pause between recordings). This video is a bunch of those clips stitched together.
We’re watching eastern bluebirds inside a specially built nesting box with a camera installed to allow us to watch without disturbing the birds.
Bluebird Update April 13, 2022
Mrs. Bluebird is still at work on her nest. Today makes a full week she’s been at it. She should finish up in the next couple days, then it will probably take a couple days before she starts laying eggs.
I’m still looking for critters to photograph. Do you have a fox or coyote den? A bear showing up regularly? A Woodpecker or owl nest? I’d love to know.
You can now follow me in Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/uppervalleyphotos/ .
We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box with a camera installed to allow us to follow along without disturbing the bird.
Bluebird Update April 12, 2022
We’re having a rainy morning here in Vermont. Looks like momma bluebird took a rain delay before getting to work. Since she got started, she’s been coming into the box every few minutes. She’s adjusting the grass in the nest and pressing her belly down to form the cup for her eggs.
We’re watching eastern bluebirds build their nest in a camera-equipped nesting box. We can watch without disturbing the birds.
Bluebird Update April 11, 2022
Momma bluebird has been hard at work again this morning. She’s been hauling in more grass and getting things squared away.
There’s a spider in the box, you can see a piece of grass caught in her web on the left side of the video. The question is, how did the spider get in the box? Just chance? A couple years ago, we had wrens in this box. Mrs. Wren brought a spider into the box but didn’t eat it. A quick web search suggests this is common behavior for wrens, apparently the spiders prey on mites, fleas and ticks that annoy the birds. Let’s see if Mrs. Bluebird cohabitates with this spider, or if it becomes a snack.
Have critters showing up regularly? I’m always looking for critters to photograph. I’m always on the lookout for mammals bigger than a squirrel, especially with a family. For birds, I’m looking for owl and woodpecker nests this year. It usually takes me several trips and many hours sitting and waiting to get the photos I want. If you’ve got critters someplace I can come and go without bothering them or you, I’d love to know.
We’re watching eastern bluebirds in a nesting box that I built with a camera mounted inside so we can watch without disturbing the birds.
Bluebird Update April 10, 2022
Our bluebirds continue to work on their nest this morning.
You can now follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/uppervalleyphotos/
There are some background noises that you may hear in the videos. There’s often the wind making a rushing or roaring sound. The thumps and scratches you may hear are one of the birds on the outside of the house.
I’ve built bird boxes with cameras installed in them to allow us to watch the birds without disturbing them.
More Work on the Bluebird Nest
Another busy morning for our bluebirds. Mrs. has been hauling in building material and is starting to form the ‘cup’ in the nest for the eggs. She’s pressing her underside down into the grass and fluttering her wings to get the right shape for the cup. Mr. Bluebird peeks his head in from time to time to make sure everything is going well.
I’ve installed cameras in several bird nesting boxes in the yard to allow us to watch the birds without disturbing them.
Bluebird Nest Progress, April 8, 2022
Mrs. Bluebird got an early start on nest building this morning and is still at it midmorning. This clip shows her making several trips into the box and sort things out. Dad makes an appearance to see how things are going.
I’ve built several nesting boxes with cameras install in them to let us keep track of their progress without disturbing the birds.
Mrs. Bluebird Works On Her Nest
Today is the third day that Mrs. Bluebird has been working on her nest in our camera equipped nesting box. She made several trips in with material this morning before taking a midmorning break.
I installed a camera inside the box to let us watch their progress without disturbing them. Today’s video is in black and white because the camera has a automatic exposure sensor that switches to B&W in low light. We’re having a gloomy morning here in Vermont and there isn’t much daylight.
Our Bluebirds Have Returned!
Our bluebirds are back and they’ve selected a bird box for their nest. They’ve started building this week. Check back regularly for updates as we follow their progress.
I put a small video camera in the box to let us watch without disturbing the bluebirds. I’ll post updates regularly while their building the nest and raising their family.
Know someone who might like this? Please share it with them or to your social media.
Turkey Shoot – Photographing Wild Turkeys
Wild turkeys are starting to strut here in Vermont. Strutting is a display by the males to attract the ladies. They’ll fan their tailfeathers and keep moving around to be in in front of the females. This is a great time to photograph them. Not only are the males showing their finery, but you’ll often see fights as the males try to drive each other away from the flock.
The light on turkeys makes or breaks the image. With low angle, early morning light, turkeys are iridescent and the male’s face and wattle are brightly colored. Wait a few minutes after sunup and they appear a drab brown. Shooting just after dawn is critical.
Finding turkeys is relatively easy. They’re sort creatures of habit. You’ll usually find a flock working through the same field(s) every morning. They roost in trees come dusk. You can hike along the edge of the field you’re planning to shoot the evening before to see where they’re roosting to give you an edge the next morning.
Turkeys are hunted regularly and are very wary of people. For the best photos, you’re going to need a blind. Fortunately, there are lots of blinds made for turkey hunters. They’re perfect for photography. If you have to hike in to your spot, a chair blind is easy to carry. If you’re shooting not far from your car, a larger tent style blind gives you more room. (Vermont is still chilly, having more room to pour some tea out of my Thermos is a big plus.)
You’ll want a relatively high, 1/1000th or faster, shutter speed to be ready when the kerfuffles start. Mounting your camera on a tripod with a ball or gimbal head saves the hassle of holding the camera and lets you pan to the action.
Be sure to check your local hunting laws, you don’t want to be in the field with hunters. If you’re on private land, you can usually coordinate with the landowner to keep you and the hunters apart.
So, get out and get some turkey pix. If you’re timing it right, you’ll be home early enough for a good breakfast.