Chirps and Cheeps

I made a "Big Day" of it yesterday. I wanted to test drive a new lens (fixed Canon 400mm f/5.6) and I wanted to do it in the field - so I ended up going to 6 different locations - all but one offering long distance views.

The first place I visited, Forest Lawn Cemetery, I used my every day zoom lens because most views of anything were going to be close. Here I saw some nice spring arrivals, including my first warbler of the season, a Yellow-rumped Warbler - nice! I also saw 2 Belted Kingfishers (love those guys!), several Eastern Phoebes, Brown Creepers, and Tree Swallows like I had seen on Monday.

Next, I stopped by Tifft Nature Preserve to see about photographing the Ospreys. I found out that they haven't returned yet. There's another pair nesting behind an old building behind the preserve, but I wasn't able to find it.  Kim, at Tifft, says they're still hopeful their pair will return. While I was there, I was able to catch some nice photos of a Great Blue Heron that turned out quite nice from the considerable distance he was at.

Next on the agenda was to visit "Momma Great Horned". She's doing very well and, to my delight, one of the owlets was very visible and active! Covered in down, he's a funny looking little guy. Again I looked around for the dad, but no luck.  Apparently, he'd doing a good job providing for his family, though.

Since I wasn't able to find the Osprey at Tifft, I headed out to the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge where I saw an Osprey and its nest last Friday.  This time I found 2 Ospreys at the nest, substantially fewer Canada Geese, and more Great Blue Herons. In the same area, I also visited the Eagle's nest again at the lookout. The photos for both the Osprey and Eagle were disappointing, making me question the new lens.

Lastly, I stopped by the field where the Short-ears are known to hunt. I was treated to the beautiful song - and ultimately lots of great views - of an Eastern Meadowlark! This was a lifer for me and the highlight of the day.  I managed a few, fair shots of the meadowlark in the fading light and a little later, I did see 2 Short-eared Owls and 3 Northern Harriers.  By this time, the light was low and the lens proved to be pretty useless. It's still a thrill watching them hunt, though. Oh, but before the Short-eareds came out, I saw a Ring-necked Pheasant! I haven't seen one of those in many years. That was a real treat!

Back home, the common Redpolls continue to come in impressive numbers - from anywhere between 30 to 70. This morning, as I write this, we're closer to the 70 mark. They're cleaning me out of Nyjer thistle - but how can I complain?!  I love seeing them and who knows when we'll get an irruptive year like this again? Maybe I'll practice on them with the new lens for a little while today although the high winds will make that difficult.

I took over 700 photos yesterday, most with the new lens. I'm debating on whether to keep it. Going in, I knew I needed good light and, coupled with the 2x teleconverter, I was going to have to focus manually. It proved to be great in good lighting and where focusing could be done on a tripod. But I'm not sure that's what I'm looking for. The jury is still out...