Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Ontario Birds => Topic started by: Palo on March 05, 2013, 05:50:38 PM

Title: Northern Shrike @ Colonel Samuel Smith Park
Post by: Palo on March 05, 2013, 05:50:38 PM
Hi Folks,

About two weeks ago we spotted two of these wedged in bushes.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img703/9619/20130220shrikecache.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/703/20130220shrikecache.jpg/)

We heard that a Shrike was in the area and thought that this might be his/her's food cache.  Since then we've been back twice with no luck.

Today we finally spotted it, but could never get close enough for that perfect shot. So here's what we got so far.  Enjoy

(http://imageshack.us/a/img24/7021/20130305shrike01.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/24/20130305shrike01.jpg/)

(http://imageshack.us/a/img705/6647/20130305shrike02.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/705/20130305shrike02.jpg/)

(http://imageshack.us/a/img51/9008/20130305shrike03.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/51/20130305shrike03.jpg/)

Here's my first good shot of an American Coot
(http://imageshack.us/a/img836/6413/20130305coot.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/836/20130305coot.jpg/)

Thanks for watching
Title: Re: Northern Shrike @ Colonel Samuel Smith Park
Post by: Reg on March 05, 2013, 07:13:56 PM
Very nice set, I was out there today, but didn't see the Shrike around.
Title: Re: Northern Shrike @ Colonel Samuel Smith Park
Post by: Rob'in'To on March 05, 2013, 07:25:17 PM
Two years ago it took me 7 visits over a month and a half to finally see the Shrike @ Col Sam.  But after that, I had 3 very different experiences with him.  First was the glorious "lifer" sighting.  Second time I watched him expell a pellet.  And third time he was deep in some Dogwood near the marina doing his "spring song" (what a bizarre call).  

Last year I saw Shrikes almost everywhere.

I haven't seen one this season.
Title: Re: Northern Shrike @ Colonel Samuel Smith Park
Post by: Palo on March 06, 2013, 06:30:54 AM
Quote from: "Reg"
Very nice set, I was out there today, but didn't see the Shrike around.

Thx Reg, I had to use a binoculars first to find him, then approached very slowly as it doesn't let you get close at all.  To make things more difficult, it also stays away from dogs and other people that are unaware that it's there. Cheers
Title: Re: Northern Shrike @ Colonel Samuel Smith Park
Post by: Palo on March 06, 2013, 06:38:49 AM
Quote from: "Rob'in'To"
Two years ago it took me 7 visits over a month and a half to finally see the Shrike @ Col Sam.  But after that, I had 3 very different experiences with him.  First was the glorious "lifer" sighting.  Second time I watched him expell a pellet.  And third time he was deep in some Dogwood near the marina doing his "spring song" (what a bizarre call).  

Last year I saw Shrikes almost everywhere.

I haven't seen one this season.

It's great to hear the experiences of others... It puts things into perspective and a great source of info for newbies like myself.  Thx Rob
Title: Re: Northern Shrike @ Colonel Samuel Smith Park
Post by: mr.sharp-photo on March 06, 2013, 07:07:05 AM
Quote from: "Palo"
Quote from: "Reg"
Very nice set, I was out there today, but didn't see the Shrike around.

Thx Reg, I had to use a binoculars first to find him, then approached very slowly as it doesn't let you get close at all.  To make things more difficult, it also stays away from dogs and other people that are unaware that it's there. Cheers

as i said in another post, i tend to avoid eye contact with birds of prey. maybe it works, maybe its my thing...who knows.
i got within...60 feet? maybe 50? but i looked down and moved relatively slowly the whole time.

my previous shrike sightings involved me looking down at my camera for 3 seconds, looking back up and it silently gone.
Title: Re: Northern Shrike @ Colonel Samuel Smith Park
Post by: BoboBird on March 06, 2013, 06:20:54 PM
Great find. Pretty decent shots too.
Title: Re: Northern Shrike @ Colonel Samuel Smith Park
Post by: Palo on March 07, 2013, 09:14:52 AM
Quote from: "mr.sharp-photo"
Quote from: "Palo"
Quote from: "Reg"
Very nice set, I was out there today, but didn't see the Shrike around.

Thx Reg, I had to use a binoculars first to find him, then approached very slowly as it doesn't let you get close at all.  To make things more difficult, it also stays away from dogs and other people that are unaware that it's there. Cheers

as i said in another post, i tend to avoid eye contact with birds of prey. maybe it works, maybe its my thing...who knows.
i got within...60 feet? maybe 50? but i looked down and moved relatively slowly the whole time.

my previous shrike sightings involved me looking down at my camera for 3 seconds, looking back up and it silently gone.

I tried that technique, but it didn't work for me.  I would've been happy to get within 80 feet!  I guess I'll keep trying. ;)  Cheers


Quote from: "BoboBird"
Great find. Pretty decent shots too.

Thx Bob, I'm actually not pleased at the quality of the shots. However, next time! ;)