Outdoor Ontario
Birding Reports => Backyard Birding => Topic started by: Napper on March 10, 2025, 04:29:12 PM
-
Moments after posting on Southern Ontario reports about those Merlin's, a Turkey Vulture soared over heading North West while I was looking out the back door.
I would have edited the other thread but it had a few views already.
Napper:) More Grackles spotted and still hearing RWBB's but have not seen one yet.
-
I have not seen a TV yet but RWBBs are everywhere. I slowly cruised along a sideline this afternoon/evening and the only birds that I saw were RWBBs, although not many. I could hear many more in the distance across a field of corn stalk stubble. On my way south I happen to glance up and noticed a GHO perched high in a tree. I immediately slowed, pulled over and stopped. I had my camera on the passenger seat but I couldn't immediately exit my car because there were four cars behind me. By the time the fourth car passes another car came in the opposite direction. Finally, when the traffic cleared, I got out just in time to see the owl fly away to the NE. Perhaps I should have just gradually backed-up until I could see the perch again and shot through an open window. That approach would have been smart. I'm not smart when I'm frustrated and angry about incessant traffic, present even on what is essentially a country road. I'll make the same mistake next time. At least I remembered to remove the lens hood and turn on my camera. I'll check the site again tomorrow and over the next few days.
-
Haven't seen or heard a RWBB yet. They are usually in our yard by now, but haven't gone into the valley or other likely places recently.
-
Well then, do you maybe want me to come over there and lace up your boots for you? You probably don't need to go far.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-9JKV6Dm/1/MdhBGW7mGK6DM6rCp6G6MsrhxsPSZxp5B8BjPFJpZ/M/RWBB%20on%20reed%2Ccropped-M.png) (https://steinphotography.smugmug.com/Outdoor-Ontario/Outdoor-Ontario/i-9JKV6Dm/A)
-
Haven’t had time for walks. My bad.
-
Perhaps I should have just gradually backed-up until I could see the perch again and shot through an open window. That approach would have been smart.
I have experience something called "heat shimmer" when taking images through an open car window in the cool season.You might need to turn the heat off in your car to make it work.
Napper:)
-
Quite right. Heat shimmer is a problem when the outside temp is very low. I only keep the floor duct open and the fan on low. Even then, I position the lens well out of the window portal, often into the acute corner next to the windshield and turn off the engine if I feel it will help. Best case scenario is being able to actually exit the car and walk away from it, but that approach is subject to what traffic will allow. What I don't understand is why traffic only seems to materialize when I spot a subject. No traffic before, or after the event. When it gets a little warmer, like 10-degrees, then I'll dispense with cabin heat.