Red-winged Blackbird — Takeoff and in Flight

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I spent two and one-half days exploring the Cheyenne Bottoms WA and Quivira NWR-Big Salt Marsh in Kansas last week. These wetlands are premier sites for viewing shorebirds in the interior United States, especially in the spring. I expected to spend most of my time there photographing shorebirds, as I has done on a visit a couple of years ago. The shorebirds were there, as recent E-bird reports indicated. But the water levels were low and most of the shorebirds, visible using spotting scopes, were a long distance from the dikes and roads accessible to viewers.

Red-winged Blackbird - Cheyenne Bottoms WA - May 2021

The 5 images in this post were obtained using the Olympus E-M1X camera
with 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 250mm.
Settings were the same: 1/2000 sec at f/6.3, ISO 800

The edges of the dikes and roads were not devoid of birds. Swallows, Blackbirds, Dickcissels, Kingbirds, Meadowlarks, and Grackles were active, but skitish because of the low traffic density in these wetlands. I decided to devote my effort to trying to capture takeoff and flight images of the birds active on the edges of the areas accessible to visitors instead of the distant shorebirds.

One reason for this decision (in addition to the photographic inaccessibility of the shorebirds) was to gain experience with the Pro Capture mode available on some Olympus cameras. Pro Capture works by continuously taking images and saving them in temporary memory when the shutter is “half pressed.” The images in the buffer are deleted if the shutter is released before being fully activated. When the shutter button is fully activated, images in the buffer plus addition images collected while the shutter remains depressed are saved. While this mode captures events usually lost during the reaction time of the photographer, the photographer makes a number of decisions about camera settings that affect the outcome. Among these are choice of the field of view (how much space around the bird is included in the frame), shutter speed, number and location of the active focus points, and the aperture setting which affects the depth of field. I found myself in a situation that provided an excellent opportunity to practice using the Pro Capture mode. Doing so had been on my (should be laminated) photographic ToDo list for quite some time. Some of the results obtained are show below. More will be illustrated in follow-up blog posts.

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Red-headed Woodpecker and Red-winged Blackbird Interaction

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Once upon a time (last Thursday), on a Wildlife Area not TOO far away (Cheyenne Bottoms WA in Kansas), I spotted a Red-headed Woodpecker feeding while using the wooden fence posts along one of the access roads as temporary perches before launching attacks on prey.

Red-headed Woodpecker - Cheyenne Bottoms WA, Kansas - May 2021
Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 500mm
1/3200 sec at f/6.3, ISO 4000

I adjusted the camera settings to optimize acquisition of images of the woodpecker in flight and watched the behavior of the bird carefully through the viewfinder looking for any indication the bird was about to fly. The appearance of a Red-winged Blackbird in the viewfinder was a complete surprise.

Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 500mm
1/3200 sec at f/6.3, ISO 4000

Even more surprisng was seeing the blackbird land on the post, and then appear to “say something” to the woodpecker before it took off while the woodpecker was changing positions on the post..

Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 500mm
1/3200 sec at f/6.3, ISO 4000

Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 419mm
1/3200 sec at f/6.3, ISO 4000

Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 383mm
1/3200 sec at f/6.3, ISO 4000

This behavioral sequence triggered my curiosity about interspecies communication in birds. An interesting discussion of this topic can be found using this LINK.

Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 500mm
1/3200 sec at f/6.3, ISO 4000

This is the first frame in the burst of exposures after the blackbird flew away. It would be anthropomorphic to label this a Pictorial Definition of Relief. An enlargement of the woodpecker’s head is shown below.

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Northern Harrier - Posing

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Because of the windy conditions on my recent trip to the Bolivar Peninsula, I thought I might have an opportunity to get some flight shots of Northern Harriers. Instead, the only Harrier photo ops I had were of the birds perched on a post. Images of the birds taking off were either rump shots or of the vehicle that initiated the take-off. I am not complaining. The two Harriers, or the same Harrier on different days, were/was very cooperative allowing me to move my blind (the car) closer than usual and adopting a variety of poses. The 5 images shown below are of the same bird. I may later post images taken on a different day and request opinions about the possibility of it being the same bird.

Northern Harrier - Bolivar Peninsula, TX - April 2021
Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 400mm
1/2000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 1600

Northern Harrier - Bolivar Peninsula, TX - April 2021
Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 400mm
1/2000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 1250

Northern Harrier - Bolivar Peninsula, TX - April 2021
Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 350mm
1/2000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 1000

Northern Harrier - Bolivar Peninsula, TX - April 2021
Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 335mm
1/2000 sec at f/7.1, ISO 3200

Northern Harrier - Bolivar Peninsula, TX - April 2021
Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 335mm
1/2000 sec at f/7.1, ISO 3200

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Great Egrets - Greeting

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Four photos of a Great Egret returning to the nest and being greeted by the mate.
Smith Oaks Rookery, High Island TX, April 2021.
Camera: Olympus E-M1X Lens: 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 284mm
Settings for all four images: 1/2000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 800.

When photographing birds at a rookery, I try to locate a nest near the top of the nesting structure. The male (usually) returning from a flight to gather nesting material or food, will usually approach the nest on a path that is free of foreground obstructions. The female will often stand to greet the returnee and, thereby, rise above some of branches and twigs that surround the nest. This behavior provides a nice photo-op.

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Snowy Egret Skirmish

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It is not unusual to see Snowy Egrets fighting for breeding territories and I observed their territorial disputes several times during my recent visit to Bolivar Peninsula and the Smith Oaks rookery at High Island, TX. But, only once did the disputes occur close enough to where I was stationed for me to try to photograph the behavior. The 9 images I captured of that skirmish are shown below.

Carla Brennan (https://carlabrennan.com/) posted photos of Snowy Egrets having a territorial dispute and described the experience as being "like watching angels break out into a fistfight."

Click on each image for a slightly larger view.

Snowy Egrets - Smith Oaks Rookery, High Island, TX - April 2021

The photos were all taken with an Olympus E-M1X camera, a 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 360 - 419 mm at 1/2000 sec at f/5.6, ISOs 320-640.

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Smallish Great Egrets - Smith Oaks Rookery, High Island, TX - April 2021

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It is difficult to get open looks of the eggs and chicks in the nests at the Smith Oaks Rookery. I did manage to obtain a few images in which parts of the birds were not obscured. .

Great Egrets - Smith Oaks Rookery, High Island, TX -April 2021

Olympus E-M1X camera
150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 236 mm
1/2000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 1000

Great Egrets - Smith Oaks Rookery, High Island, TX -April 2021

Olympus E-M1X camera
150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 445 mm
1/2000 sec at f/7.1, ISO 1250

Great Egrets - Smith Oaks Rookery, High Island, TX -April 2021

Olympus E-M1X camera
150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @500 mm (built-in tc employed)
1/2000 sec at f/6.3, ISO 4000

Great Egrets - Smith Oaks Rookery, High Island, TX -April 2021

Olympus E-M1X camera
150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @500 mm (built-in tc employed)
1/2000 sec at f/6.3, ISO 4000

Great Egrets - Smith Oaks Rookery, High Island, TX -April 2021

Olympus E-M1X camera
150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @419 mm (built-in tc employed)
1/2500 sec at f/6.3, ISO 4000

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Great Egrets Displaying - Smith Oaks Rookery, High Island, TX - April 2021

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Click on landscape oriented photos for a slightly larger view.
Go to the text following the last photo for an overview of my April birding trip to Texas.

Great Egret - Smith Oaks Rookery, High Island, TX -April 2021

Olympus E-M1X camera
150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 406 mm
1/2500 sec at f/5.6, ISO 320

Great Egret - Smith Oaks Rookery, High Island, TX -April 2021

Olympus E-M1X camera
150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @320 mm
1/4000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 500

Great Egret - Smith Oaks Rookery, High Island, TX -April 2021

Olympus E-M1X camera
150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @350 mm
1/4000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 500

Great Egret - Smith Oaks Rookery, High Island, TX -April 2021

Olympus E-M1X camera
150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @275 mm
1/1250 sec at f/5.6, ISO 200

The Gulf Coast of Texas is one of my favorite bird photography locations, but this was not my most productive trip. I started the drive to Texas early one morning. I stopped at a McDonalds 4 blocks from the condo for an Egg McMuffin and a cup of coffee. A car in the "pick up your order" station suddenly put his car in reverse and backed into me at the "pay for your order" station. He had received incorrect change. There was no detectable damage to my bumper. Later that day in New Mexico, the wind was blowing so much soil across the highway that my lane detector system stopped working. A little later, the density of the tumbleweeds being blown across the road was so great, the automatic braking system was activated. For the entire two weeks there were basically only 3 or 4 low tides during daylight hours. Those occurred early in the morning when, from the dike that extends 5 miles out into the gulf to protect the Galveston ship channel, the sun was behind the birds. The dike is usually one of my favorite "perches" for photographing the wading birds. The normal tidal system was in effect, of course, but the wind was blowing onto shore so strongly that the predicted low tide water levels never happened. My photos of "shore" birds were obtained from fields pretty far inland. Fortunately the High Island rookery was very active and I spent a lot of time there. On the drive back to Colorado, a rock hit the windshield and produced a crack that grew to about 24 inches in length by the time I arrived at the condo. I enjoyed the trip! it was great to get out of the condo, to listen to the wind, to measure the depth of the water covering the roads to some of my birding spots by noting how much of the legs of the Yellowlegs, Stilts, and Willets feeding in the water on the roads was exposed, and to listen to the imaginary clicks of my mirrorless camera.


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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Baltimore Oriole - Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary - High Island, TX - May 19, 2021

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The tide and weather were both terrible for photographing shorebirds during my recent trip to the Bolivar Peninsula of Texas. But the birds at the nearby Smith Oaks Rookery and Bird Sanctuary did not abandon the area because of the weather. The sanctuary is heavily wooded and the light levels are low even when the clouds are not obscuring the sun. When it is overcast, ISOs rocket and mandatory noise reduction obscures detail. But I was pleased to get a couple of shots of the Oriole in the open, even if the detail in the images is reduced.

Olympus E-M1X camera and 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @234mm
1/1250 sec at f/5.6, ISO 4000

Olympus E-M1X camera and 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @234mm
1/1250 sec at f/5.6, ISO 4000

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Aggressive territorial disputes by Lesser Yellowlegs at Bolivar Flats in Texas

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All photos were taken on April 21, 2021 with an Olympus E-M1X camera and 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens.

CLICK ON IMAGE AND USE RIGHT ARROW TO SEE LARGER VERSIONS OF THE IMAGES.

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Mostly Avocets - Galveston North Jetty - April 20, 2021

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The North Jetty, on the extreme west end of the Bolivar Peninsula, is one of two that protect the ship channel into Galveston Bay. It extends 5 miles into the Gulf. The tide was low during daylight hours and the sun was shining for the first time on my current birding trip.

Six photos taken from the North Jetty on Bolivar Peninsula, TX - April 20, 2021
All were taken with an Olympus E-M1X camera with a 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens.

20210420-P4204418.jpg
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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Anahuac NWR - Two of the Things I Had Forgotten

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I had forgotten that one of the birding trails at Anahuac NWR had honeysuckle plants growing on both sides for the entire length of the trail. Also, I had forgotten how potent the fragrance of honeysuckle could be.

20210416-P4160566-Edit-3.jpg

I have forgotten the name of this plant. Will look it up when I get home and modify this text then. I have been informed that this is Showy Pink Evening Primrose or Pink Ladies Oenothera speciosa.

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Recent Photos from Texas

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I am on my first photo trip since February 2020. It is good to get out of the condo and listen to the imaginary clicks of my mirrorless camera.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Bolivar Peninsula, TX - April 13, 2021
Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f4.5 TC lens @ 275 mm
1/1000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 500, handheld

American Bittern- Anahuac NWR, TX - April 13, 2021
Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f/4.5 TC lens @ 500 mm
1/640 sec at f/5.6, ISO 250, handheld

American Bittern- Anahuac NWR, TX - April 13, 2021
Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f/4.5 TC lens @ 395 mm
1/640 sec at f/5.6, ISO 250, handheld

American Bittern- Anahuac NWR, TX - April 13, 2021
Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f/4.5 TC lens @ 500 mm
1/640 sec at f/5.6, ISO 200, handheld

American Bittern- Anahuac NWR, TX - April 13, 2021
Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f/4.5 TC lens @ 500 mm
1/640 sec at f/5.6, ISO 320, handheld

American Bittern- Anahuac NWR, TX - April 13, 2021
Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f/4.5 TC lens @ 500 mm
1/640 sec at f/5.6, ISO 200, handheld

American Bittern- Anahuac NWR, TX - April 13, 2021
Olympus E-M1X with 150-400mm f/4.5 TC lens @ 500 mm
1/640 sec at f/5.6, ISO 250, handheld

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Hooded Mergansers

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I found some different subjects for testng the new lens and firmware at Sterne Park on Monday.
Click on the image to see a slightly larger view.

Hooded Merganser - Sterne Park, CO - March 2021
Olympus E-M1X, 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens @ 473mm, handheld
1/1600 sec at f/5.6, ISO 320

Hooded Merganser - Sterne Park, CO - March 2021
Olympus E-M1X, 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens @ 500mm, handheld
1/2000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 640

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Testing a new lens and new camera firmware

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I pre-ordered the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO Lens in mid November 2020. Then Olympus sold their camera division and when this lens was supposed to become available, the number of pre-orders exceeded the availability and they delayed shipping. I received mine in late February but there has been so much snow and so few birds in my local birding spots that I had not really tested the lens in my usual shooting conditions until yesterday. It was a sunny day and there were enough birds at Barr Lake State Park to give the lens a chance to demonstrate its capabilities.

Click on the images to see a slightly larger view.

American White Pelican - Barr Lake State Park, CO - March 28 2021
Olympus E-M1X, 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens @ 473 mm
1/2000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 320, handheld

The 150-400mm focal length with a constant f/4.5 aperture on the Micro Four Thirds camera is equivalent to 300-800mm in 35mm terms. The lens has a built-in 1.25x teleconverter (approximaely 188-500mm f/5.6 which is approximately 376 - 1000 mm in 35mm terms). The lens is compatible with the Olympus 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters. The weight of the lens is 4.13 pounds. The image stabilization in the camera and the stabilization in the lens are additive. The image above was shot handheld at the 35mm equivalent of 945mm focal length.

American White Pelicans - Barr Lake State Park, CO - March 28 2021
Olympus E-M1X, 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens @ 375 mm
1/2000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 200, handheld

The latest firmware update for the E-M1X camera included “Bird Detection Autofocus.” This is an Artificial Intelligence trained subject recognition that will focus on the eyes of birds, or their bodies if the eyes are not visible. I was using this autofocus mode for the first time.

Mallards - Barr Lake State Park, CO - March 28 2021
Olympus E-M1X, 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens @ 406 mm
1/2000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 200, handheld, large crop

Based on a single outing sample, I am pleased with the new lens and impressed with the subject recognition software. Both performed well despite operator errors. The weight of the lens was different from that of the lens I have been using. My “motor memory” needs to adjust to the weight of the new lens. I did not do a good job of rapidly acquiring the target. And I was tracking the bird(s), not letting the camera track the birds. In the “bird tracking” mode, all or many autofocus points are active and the camera firmware selects the proper autofocus point. My attemps to track the subject disrupted the ability of the camera to do so.

American White Pelican - Barr Lake State Park, CO - March 28 2021
Olympus E-M1X, 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens @ 395 mm
1/2000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 250, handheld, large crop

Note the relative sizes of the Pelicans and the Mallards.

American White Pelican - Barr Lake State Park, CO - March 28 2021
Olympus E-M1X, 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO lens @ 375 mm
1/2000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 250, handheld

Impressive wingspan!

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Golden Jackal

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Photos taken on a Raymond Barlow Nature and Wildlife Tour in Tanzania with Greg and Shannon. Click on the image for a slightly larger view.

Golden Jackal - Tanzania - Feb. 2020
Olympus E-M1X with 300mm F4 lens + 1.4x tc
1/1250 sec at f/5.6, ISO 800

Golden Jackal - Tanzania - Feb. 2020
Olympus E-M1X with 300mm F4 lens + 1.4x tc
1/2500 sec at f/5.6, ISO 800

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Springtime Again!

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I’ve been waiting. I ventured out. I hiked TWO steps onto the patio. With my phone.

Patio Art.jpg

Patio Art

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Pictorial Definition of Conspicuous Consumption

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Not a pictorial definition of the way the two words are usually used together, but a pictorial definition of the literal meaning of the two words.

conspicuous - adjective - con.spic.u.ous
1: obvious to the eye or mind 2: attracting attention: Striking

consumption - noun - con.sump.tion
1: the act or process of consuming 2: the using up of a resource

Great Blue Heron - Fort Pickens Gulf Islands National Seashore - September 2014
Nikon D4, 300mm f/4 with 2x teleconverter
1/1600 sec at f/13, ISO 1600

Swainson’s Hawk - Squirrel Creek road (CO) - August 2015
Nikon D4, 500mm f/4 with 2x teleconverter
1/2500 sec at f/11, ISO 1250

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Backgrounds (and/or Lighting) - Part 2

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While culling obese folders in my Lightroom catalog, I selected a few with backgrounds or lighting I really like. This is part 2, and the end of this thread. I may have posted all of these photos previously, but if so, it was outside the pinhole of my memory.

Black-necked Stilt - St. Marks NWR (FL)
Nikon D300, 500mm f/4 1/500 sec at f/4.5, ISO 800

Red-shafted Northern Flicker - Washington Park, CO
Nikon D300, 300mm f/4 lens with 1.7x TC
1/640 sec at f/7.1, ISO 800

Red-tailed Hawk - somewhere in Texas
Nikon D4, 500mm f/4 lens with 1.4x teleconverter
1/3200 sec at f/11, ISO 2000

American Redstart - MI
Nikon D500, 500mm f/4 lens with 1.4x teleconverter
1600 sec at f/5.6, ISO 4000

Brewster’s Warbler - MI
Nikon D500, 500mm f/4 lens with 1.4x teleconverter
1/1250 sec at f/7.1, ISO 1100

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

Backgrounds - Part 1

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While culling obese folders in my Lightroom catalog, I selected a few with backgrounds I really like. The background of the last two photos is the reflection of crabapple trees on a vacant lot adjacent to Sterne Park. A house was built on the lot and the trees are no longer there.

Common Merganser - Sterne Park, Littleton, CO - April 2018

Olympus OM-D EM1X camera, 300mm f/4 lens, 1/3200 sec at f/5, ISO 1250

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Double-crested Cormorant- Sterne Park, Littleton, CO - April 2018

Olympus OM-D EM1X camera, 300mm f/4 lens, 1/3200 sec at f/5.6, ISO 3200

Wood Duck - Sterne Park, Littleton, CO - October 2018

Olympus OM-D EM1X camera, 300mm f/4 lens, 1/2000 sec at f/4, ISO 1000

Wood Duck - Sterne Park, Littleton, CO - October 2018

Olympus OM-D EM1X camera, 300mm f/4 lens, 1/2000 sec at f/4, ISO 500

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit. 

The first and only limerick I ever composed

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Limerick - noun - a kind of humorous verse of five lines, in which the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme with each other, and the third and fourth lines, which are shorter, form a rhymed couplet.

In 2004 I was a participant in a Symposium (Microcircuits: The Interface between Neurons and Global Brain Function) in Berlin. The participants met in small groups to discuss different topics and to create a summary which would be presented to all attendees. One night at dinner there was a limerick contest between the groups. The content was to be related to the research topics being discussed. Each group presented a limerick and then another, until it was forced out of the competition when it could not. The group I was in and one other group were the last two standing. My group had two limerick experts but it was our groups turn to present and they did not have one prepared. So to keep our group in the competition, I presented the one I had written but wasn’t sure it met the qualifications of being a limerick. This gave the two experts time to regroup and the contest continued until it was finally declared a tie.

My Limerick


One microcircuit allows a locust to fly.
Another breathes but can also sigh.
A third is quite different, and
its distribution is wide.
But it moves the head & also the eye.

The pacemakers cause excitation to occur
in the complex Botzinger.
Add a dash of inhibition and
we discover what potassium
leak conductances are fer.

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David Sparks

I retired in 2005 after 40 years of research and teaching at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (24 years), the University of Pennsylvania (8 years) and the Baylor College of Medicine (8 years). Photography is my retirement hobby.

Nature photography, especially bird photography, combines a number of things that I really enjoy: bird-watching, being outdoors, photography, travel, messing about with computers, and learning new skills and concepts.  I now spend much of my time engaged in these activities.

David Sibley in the preface to The Sibley Guide to Birds wrote "Birds are beautiful, in spectacular as well as subtle ways; their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature."  My goal is to acquire images that capture the beauty and uniqueness of selected species as well as images that highlight the engaging behaviors the birds exhibit.