Downsview Today

[Dinusaur]

During my visit today I managed to get two lifers in the form of Eastern Towhee and Fox Sparrow. Here are some sample from today's visit.

1-2: Eastern Towhee



3-4: Fox Sparrow



5:Golden-crowned Kinglet


6: Brown Creeper


7: Hermit Thrush


8: Northern Flicker (Yellow-Shafted)

[paul_reeves]

Nice series.

[Rotarran]

Excellent pictures.  You must have a great camera, my pictures of the Fox Sparrows are nowhere near as good.  My camera has a hard time with less than ideal lighting conditions.  Especially lately...I mean it's never been amazing...I don't know, maybe it needs a tune-up...do those even exist for cameras?  LOL  But then it isn't anything special.  Just a point-n-shoot with a really powerful zoom.  

Where did you see the Towhee, I may try for it next chance I get.  I love Towhees.  I saw the American Woodcock in that grassy/soggy area between the woods and the dirt/gravel path that leads towards the pond.  Well more like I flushed it, then it flew to the other side of the woods and never did see it again.  I may try to go there in the evening and listen for the signature peent.

[egret]

lovely, shading on these birds

tks

Egret

[Dinusaur]

Excellent pictures.  You must have a great camera, my pictures of the Fox Sparrows are nowhere near as good.  My camera has a hard time with less than ideal lighting conditions.  Especially lately...I mean it's never been amazing...I don't know, maybe it needs a tune-up...do those even exist for cameras?  LOL  But then it isn't anything special.  Just a point-n-shoot with a really powerful zoom.....

I have a Nikon D800 and a few good lens to compensate for my lack of knowledge about birds. Unlike you I haven't yet mastered the identification through sight, sound, shape, size, habitat or even migration pattern. So, I take pictures and then compare against my references, including this forum, to ID the birds. However, no matter what gear you have; the proximity of the bird and the angle of light or the lack of it make all the difference.

......Where did you see the Towhee, I may try for it next chance I get.  I love Towhees.  I saw the American Woodcock in that grassy/soggy area between the woods and the dirt/gravel path that leads towards the pond.  Well more like I flushed it, then it flew to the other side of the woods and never did see it again.  I may try to go there in the evening and listen for the signature peent.

I spotted the Towhee at the entrance to the woodlot from the same gravel path you mentioned. It flew in from behind and sat on a small tree left of me. Initially I thought it was a Robin; as it turned I realized it was different. Then it landed under a pine tree to the right when I took these photos. Later I saw him in another part of the wooded area; he could be anywhere. Luckily it's movement gave away its location. I also saw the kinglets in the same general area. Good luck.

[Rotarran]

Thanks Dinu, but I'm not as good at IDing as you think.  I also take lots of pics and save the ID for later.  It's a fairly effective and accurate way of birding without making errors.  But don't worry as time passes, your knowledge will increase (as it did and still does for me) and things will become more apparent sooner.  Especially as it pertains to the more common species.  

By the way, thank you for your contributions to Downsview park...your sightings and pictures are fantastic.  Keep it up!  Maybe I'll see you there one day.  

[MEGHAN]

Really great set Dinu!
You're doing awesome with the D800. I know where you spend half your time in the summer and you certainly don't let the low frame rate of that camera slow you down.
Keep it up.
Meghan

[Dinusaur]

Really great set Dinu!
You're doing awesome with the D800. I know where you spend half your time in the summer and you certainly don't let the low frame rate of that camera slow you down.
Keep it up.
Meghan

Thanks Meghan. D800 has certainly provided me the opportunity to crop in order to bring the birds a bit closer without having a longer lens.

[Leslie]

"...maybe it needs a tune-up...do those even exist for cameras?"
Yes, my husband took ours in in February, it had a nice trip to Japan, still had to replace a lens (search for discontinued parts must have been unsuccessful), which we did last week.
I don't think that's enough for it to take gorgeous pictures like yours, though.