Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Portraits





Rock Wren
I was pleased with the image quality of some of my recent backyard bird photos so I cropped them to make bird portraits. 

This little guy had been teasing me for over two years.  He seems to live around the rock retaining wall near the trash cans.  Of course I don't take my camera when I am taking out the trash and when I would go out with my camera he was never around.  Finally, bird and camera were both in the same place.


If you enlarge this you can see the texture in the feathers.  It was well worth the wait.

California Quail









 I see quail in my yard almost every day and have many images but this, I think is my best.  I'm not sure it can be improved on




Hen Turkey









Not a common backyard visitor but on a recent rainy day I spotted this solitary turkey just beyond my yard.  You might notice raindrops were falling on her head, mine too for that matter.  She was a wet hen but didn't seem to be a mad one.

Turkeys are usually in flocks but this was the second time I've seen this one out by herself.



Tree Swallow










One of the most challanging things about photographing the tree swallow is its eyes.  Those black eyes tend to disappear into the dark blue green of the feathers.  I took dozens of images trying to get a highlight in the eye.

I had some better poses and backgrounds but they lacked the nice highlights of this image.







You can find more birds at World Bird Wednesday, hosted for us by Springman

32 comments:

Gaelyn said...

Excellent shots. I find birds so hard to photo I've just about given up. Is that turkey lost?

Sylvia K said...

These are terrific, Martha! I love the "portraits"! Such beautiful birds and you do get such incredible captures! I do admire your talent! Hope your week is going well!

Sylvia

Unknown said...

Great series!! Martha!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Springman said...

Teriffic portraits Martha and you sure had interesting subjects to focus on. As you point out that glint in the eye pushes these over the top and into a new level!
Amazing Takes!

Esther Garvi said...

Love the faces! Beautiful shots of beautiful birds!!

La said...

Great shots!

Fjällripan said...

Great photos! I really like the quail, what a beautiful bird!

holdingmoments said...

A great series of portraits Martha.
I love the Swallow.

BirdingMaine said...

Excellent photo series! Love the Tree Swallow.

Rachel said...

Lovely portraits. You are right about the swallows eyes, wonderful capture. I also love that you can see the rain drops in the photo of the turkey.

mick said...

Great portraits of the birds around you yard.

Barb said...

I think I love the turkey best - you can even see the rain coming down.

theconstantwalker said...

Lovely images of your beautiful birds.

Janie said...

Your bird portraits are great!

Sondra said...

I think you are right these are all super photos!! Really love that quial.

Modesto Viegas said...

Good portraits Martha !

eileeninmd said...

Great photos and beautiful birds.

Unknown said...

These turned out wonderfully. I don't have the patience to photograph birds and perhaps my camera isn't a good enough one to do so, either.

Thanks for your recent visit. I always enjoy it when you leave a comment!

Anonymous said...

These are wonderful bird portraits, Martha!

Linda Reeder said...

Great photos. Birds are tricky. They move too much!

Stewart M said...

Hi there - your right - the highlight in the eye can make (or break) a picture.

Stewart M

Fotokarusellen said...

Really a beautiful set of images. Great.

joo said...

Terrific set Martha! Bravo:)

Hilke Breder said...

Beautiful photos! The eye on the swallow is perfect - I know how hard it is!

Ginnymo said...

Beautiful photos Martha! I have the same problem trying to get the Junco's eyes to show.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wonderful portraits Martha. (Maybe you SHOULD take your camera when you empty the trash (I'd forget and throw it in, but that's just me ;?)! Anyway you finally got that great picture and it and all the others are just perfect. Thanks!!!

Hootin Anni said...

Nothing can be photographed like birds!! I so enjoy viewing them. Both live AND in photos. But I must admit, the quail........outstanding!! I miss them, we used to have Gambles' Quail in our backyard in AZ. Not here in TX tho.


Thanks for popping by this week. Hope to see you again real soon. I love having your company.

A River To Cross is my Thursday post.

Pat Ulrich said...

Really lovely portraits, such a great mix of backyard birds!

http://graceolsson.com/blog said...

I don´t know which of the three is the most beautiful birds...perhaps cause you ara very good bird portrait photographer
congrats
nice day

Arija said...

Great shots Martha, Love the sheen on the swallow's head.

Tes said...

Beautiful capture, Martha! You take very good photos. So clear yet full of drama! :)

EG CameraGirl said...

Wonderful photos, Martha!