Christian Photographers Community

When I saw movement between the vine and the dining room window I took a closer look.  I'm really no photographer, but this is what I saw (through glass and screen).

Looks like a nuthatch, Jeanne.  Pretty cool! 

Actually, it's either a catbird or a mockingbird.  Quite a bit larger than a nuthatch, although it's hard to tell that from the picture.

Isn't that the trellis that blew down?  If so she really was fast building her nest.  Well done Jeanne!

 Isn't it a treat to witness God's creatures fulfilling His purpose for them? Nice catch Jeanne and thanks for sharing.

Judy, the trellis that blew down is the one outside my living room window.  This one is by the dining area.

I am glad her nest didn't get disturbed.

A sudden flurry of activity with both parents on the edge of the nest...  you got it, the eggs were hatching.  I haven't been able to get a shot of the babies yet, but I keep hoping.   

Well shot, Jeanne! You're going to have some fun watching the babies grow up. 

Thanks for sharing this!  I'm feeding a multitude of birds, usually 7-10 species on any given day now, but I am still trying to get birds to nest in my yard.  I'll have to check my honeysuckle carefully, before trimming it back, just in case. 

I wanted to get some shots of the babies being fed, but when I get close enough to the window to take a picture, the parents can see me.  They get so very agitated and keep trying to draw my attention away from the nest - and meanwhile the babies don't get their supper.  So I've decided to leave well enough alone and just watch from a little farther away.

That's too bad Jeanne.  But you can't disturb them too much.  What about trying when the parents are away?

Judy, then they are very hard to see.  The nest is in shadows and the birds are dark.  It's only when they're actually being fed that they are "photogenic"! 

They are already getting feathers and growing by leaps and bounds.  It looks like it won't be long before they're ready to leave the nest.

Quote from: Jeanne Lee on June 18, 2010, 02:33:30 PM
Judy, then they are very hard to see.  The nest is in shadows and the birds are dark.  It's only when they're actually being fed that they are "photogenic"! 

They are already getting feathers and growing by leaps and bounds.  It looks like it won't be long before they're ready to leave the nest.

Jeanne, it is often hard to get good pictures of birds being fed and even not being fed.  God put in them the ability to find and nest in secluded, safe places.  Like you said, they are in the shadows.  When that happens to me, I just watch and enjoy and take mental pictures.   Case in point, my "The Babies are Out" photo, when the parents seemed to be getting uneasy, I put my camera away and used my binoculars to watch them a little before driving away. 

I've discovered that my "old" camera with the 10x zoom and more fstop adjustment seems to let me at least try.  I took several shots this morning but haven't downloaded to the computer yet to see what I have.  One thing for sure, they won't be there much longer.  The babies are getting real feathers and are getting too big for the nest.

Persistence pays off!  This is from my old Olympus C750 UZ, strictly on automatic.  I didn't even use the zoom.  Look how big those babies are already.   

Good job, Jeanne.  They're so cute!  My bigger baby birds are picking on the little ones by my pond today.  Makes me sad.

Thanks, Kathleen.  I was amazed that I actually got that.  No touch up at all, just cropped it down.

Ohhh Amazing!  They are so cute!!!

A couple of the bigger ones are very active, stretching their legs and flapping their wings.  One even got onto a branch about 6 inches away from the nest for about two minutes.  But when he heard Papa (or Mama?) arriving with lunch he quickly got back.   

Cool! Looks like a grey catbird to me. Awesome!

Yes, they were catbirds.  Babies all grown up an gone now and the nest is empty.

Cute shots.