The little lake off our back deck attracts an amazing array of birds! From our back deck, it’s not possible to zoom in on these beautiful birds with my 300mm because it just isn’t long enough. Even on my DX. So the day I had my momentous walk around the lake, I had my 300mm in tow and tried to get a bit closer. Bird photography is quite different from the landscapes and macros I’m used to. I quickly realized I needed a very fast shutter speed, especially for the egret in flight. You can even see he is wearing his “golden slippers” as they call them. I got about four shots of him before he flew off into the tree. I thought it so funny that he sat in that small tree.
The number of birds I’ve already identified is quite extensive! For bird lovers, the list is (and I know there are many small birds that I haven’t identified yet): Great blue heron, great white egret, green heron (juvenile in November), robin, bluebird, black phoebe, scrub bluejay, finch, anna’s hummingbird, sparrow, plover, red shouldered hawk, white tailed kite, kingfisher, crow, mallard duck, merganser duck, comorant, buzzard, northern flicker, northern harrier (juvenile in Nov), Turkey, Canadian Goose.
The last image I tried a blur technique. You may have seen this expertly done on the Mythical Horse blog, but I thought I’d give it a whirl. I hadn’t read up on how to do it yet, so I just sort of tried to create it myself with the photoshop knowledge I already have. I would love to explore this further because I think the results can be quite beautiful.
Laura Macky Photography 
November 22, 2014 at 7:40 am
Bird photography is addictive.
November 22, 2014 at 7:42 am
I’m already wanting a longer lens. Oh no! lol
November 22, 2014 at 7:45 am
It also requires a tripod with a special head. Then you wind up spending a lot of time in the field. I only do birds in groups or if they are getting unusually close in.
November 22, 2014 at 7:47 am
Well I’m thinking for my back deck actually. I don’t think (although you never know) I’d be interested in sitting in one spot endlessly taking birds unless it’s on my back deck with a margarita! haha
November 22, 2014 at 7:48 am
You live way out in the country, don’t you.
November 22, 2014 at 8:09 am
No we don’t.
November 22, 2014 at 8:22 am
More like a distant suburb or satellite city?
November 22, 2014 at 8:30 am
It’s really not that distant. It’s only about 30 miles from SF. Maybe in other areas that’s considered distant but not in the Bay Area.
November 22, 2014 at 8:45 am
It isn’t distant here, but I live pretty close in.
November 22, 2014 at 8:07 am
Great shots, Laura! I love birds! I love all your photography though. 🙂
November 22, 2014 at 8:10 am
Why thank you! I’m glad you like them…et al. 😀
November 22, 2014 at 8:07 am
LOVE the blurred mallards! That is gorgeous. The Egret in flight is really cool too. Draw and Shoot, is another source for inspiration, in terms of blurred interpretations of images. If you don’t know of her work, I can give you the link.
November 22, 2014 at 8:10 am
Thank you Carrie! Yes, I’d love to see more blurred work.
November 22, 2014 at 8:12 am
Oh great, http://drawandshoot.me/ Enjoy!!
November 22, 2014 at 8:17 am
Yay! Thank you! I think I had seen this when I was exploring blogs a long time ago but I hadn’t followed. I will now. Thanks again. 😀
November 22, 2014 at 8:10 am
Oh yes ,,, I love them…. there are great captures there…
November 22, 2014 at 8:16 am
Thank you! I was wondering what you would think.
November 22, 2014 at 8:27 am
These are just beautiful! Yes bird shots are tricky – I find my lens is a bit slow (300mm) and it can be frustrating – but it really is fun!
November 22, 2014 at 8:32 am
Mine is the same, but it is fun. This was my first attempt at “action shots” of birds.
November 22, 2014 at 11:32 am
I tend to pre-focus – then aim – shoot and hope for the best!
November 22, 2014 at 11:33 am
wow! I would never be able to do that.
November 22, 2014 at 11:36 am
I like to live (and shoot) on the edge!
November 22, 2014 at 11:37 am
Evidently!! lol
November 22, 2014 at 8:36 am
Long lens plus fast shutter speed is a difficult combination unless you have a good high ISO plus fast lens combination between camera and lens. Nice shots regardless –
November 23, 2014 at 7:15 am
Thanks Robert. live and learn! I really knew nothing about it before I went out there. I’ll try it next time with the suggestions you and Victor gave me. 🙂
November 23, 2014 at 7:44 am
Well, nature is not my forte, but I hope you can get what you want.
November 23, 2014 at 7:46 am
Me either but it’s fun to try new things I think. 🙂
November 23, 2014 at 7:47 am
And that is the whole point – try something new and learn as you go along…perfect!
November 22, 2014 at 8:39 am
Where do you had shot the pics (I’m new on WordPress…. Sry… but I like you blog)
November 22, 2014 at 9:00 am
Thank you for liking my blog. 🙂 I’m not quite sure I understand your question though. 😦
November 22, 2014 at 9:19 am
Where us this lake where you are walking around ( sry for my bad English, I’m from Germany )
November 22, 2014 at 9:23 am
No problem! It is in the San Francisco Bay area.
November 22, 2014 at 9:37 am
Wow, my dream is to get to the west coast one day
November 22, 2014 at 9:37 am
I’m so jealous 😀
November 22, 2014 at 10:15 am
But where do you get so much followers. No one Sees my blog
November 22, 2014 at 11:22 am
Well, I don’t speak German so I can’t follow your blog. It takes time. I’ve been doing it for two years and it took me two years to get this many. Hang in there!
November 23, 2014 at 4:19 am
I’m so jealous 😦
November 23, 2014 at 7:21 am
Don’t be!
November 23, 2014 at 4:24 am
Can i draw your pics and upload it To my blog?( I upload very much drawings on my blog as you can see)
November 23, 2014 at 7:21 am
I’m sorry, I don’t allow people to use my images in the blogs unless they are reblogged. You can reblog any of my posts though. 😀
November 22, 2014 at 8:51 am
All wonderful Laura! I love the egret in flight and the mallards are processed beautifully. There’s an essence of what Katrina does but you’ve made it your own 🙂
November 22, 2014 at 9:01 am
Thank you Sarah! The last thing I want to do is copy someone’s work, but I wanted to try it myself. I know she has gotten some of her technique from a particular website that offers e-books on blurs and things but I only have the flower e-book.
November 22, 2014 at 9:14 am
It’s good to try various techniques out 🙂 I didn’t know there were e-books on these techniques! Shows me up for not reading peoples blogs properly!!
November 22, 2014 at 9:24 am
LOL. I’m guilty of that as well. Ssshhhh
November 22, 2014 at 9:36 am
Too busy looking at pretty pictures 😉
November 22, 2014 at 8:56 am
A 300 mm lens is not enough for birds unless it is a specy that wants to collaborate with you …… so far I have found that only ducks and canadian geese are not afraid of humans. Sometime you have your lucky moment where you stumble on a bird that is asleep at wheel and did not notice you, but you have to be fast on the camera and you do not get all the time you need.
But this problem makes a nicely captured shot more rewarding for my photographer ego
November 22, 2014 at 9:02 am
Hi Nelson 🙂 yes, I have my eye on a 150 to 500 lens which on my DX camera would bring me a lot closer. It would be kind of fun to have a longer lens since we have so many birds right outside our back door. Thank you so much for your comment.
November 22, 2014 at 9:04 am
I have my eyes on the same lens for 2015 🙂
November 22, 2014 at 9:12 am
Ha! We will have to compare bird photos then. 🙂
November 22, 2014 at 9:12 am
Love that egret!
November 22, 2014 at 9:16 am
Thank you Sue. 🙂
November 22, 2014 at 9:30 am
glorious! ❤
November 23, 2014 at 7:15 am
Thank you! 😀
November 22, 2014 at 10:05 am
Beautiful!! The last photo could be a gorgeous wall photo.
November 22, 2014 at 10:13 am
Thank you! I think it wouldn’t look bad as a stretched canvass.
November 22, 2014 at 10:17 am
Great photos Laura, the last one of the mallards is just amazing, a great effect. I love the egret in the tree, the way the tree trunk reflected in the water echoes the birds legs is inspired!
November 22, 2014 at 11:23 am
I’m so glad you like them Katie 🙂 It’s my first time doing action bird shots and the mallard one was kind of boring so I tried to liven it up. And yes! That Egret in the tree was so funny to me. Such a small tree for it to sit on. 🙂
November 22, 2014 at 11:14 am
Beautiful images, Laura. Great captures! The mallard image is OUTSTANDING!! I love, love, love it!! I think you knew I would… 🙂 Very very nicely done.
November 22, 2014 at 11:24 am
Thank you Katrina! I hoped you didn’t mind I try my hand at it. I would never want to copy someone’s work and it’s why I put your link in the body of my post. But thank you!! I’m so glad I was successful. I probably went about it differently but hey, variety is the spice of life! I want to get that ebook of Denise’s very badly but it’ll have to wait till after the first of the year. ❤
November 23, 2014 at 1:30 am
Laura! I have no reason to mind! There are lots of people doing this kind of photography, it’s just a style. If you like it, go for it! I expect we all bring our own twist to it. 🙂 And there are certainly several approaches to capturing/processing blurs. Keep experimenting, you’ll find your own way to get what you want. 🙂
November 22, 2014 at 11:41 am
Ah beautiful Laura. I love birds! Wow, you have a real sanctuary near you. Such variety and fun to watch. Theyre always doing something!! 😀
Lovely images and nice captures.
November 22, 2014 at 11:52 am
Thank you Robyn 🙂 It really is amazing the birds here. A shame it’s winter now. We don’t sit on our deck now and just gaze from behind the window. 🙂
November 22, 2014 at 7:43 pm
Gazing is fine too 😀
November 22, 2014 at 11:42 am
The last photo (of the ducks) is awesome. Love the blurriness of the 2 bird in the front.
November 22, 2014 at 11:53 am
Thanks so much. Ah yes, the mallards. That seems to be people’s favorite!
November 22, 2014 at 1:29 pm
To me, is different! And it looks like a painting
November 22, 2014 at 1:33 pm
Thank you :). I was definitely going for a painting so yay! 🙂
November 23, 2014 at 8:20 am
Great job. Totally my style
November 23, 2014 at 8:27 am
Thanks so much! I love branching out.
November 22, 2014 at 11:55 am
These are wonderful. The mallards are a work of art. When shooting birds, I shoot at 400 ISO, and around F4, this give me maximum speed, if I can I increase the f-stop.
November 22, 2014 at 12:27 pm
Thank you Victor. I shot at 5.6. Next time I’ll try upping the ISO. I think my lens wouldn’t open to 4 in some of these instances. i can’t remember when though because it was all happening so fast and I was just clicking lol
November 22, 2014 at 12:34 pm
In other words having fun!
November 22, 2014 at 1:31 pm
YES! 🙂
November 22, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Lovely .. You have inspired me as always 🙂
November 22, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Well shucks….thank you!
November 22, 2014 at 3:09 pm
Laura, the first and last pictures are simply magical.
Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
November 22, 2014 at 3:10 pm
Thank you, :). Those were my favorites as well 🙂
November 22, 2014 at 4:59 pm
I too love shooting birds and just mentioned getting a new head for the tripod. I love that last image’s edit.
November 22, 2014 at 5:49 pm
Thanks much. If I had to get a new tripod and ballhead I’d go with Really Right Stuff. I have a kirk ballhead and it’s good but RRS is solid as a rock!
November 22, 2014 at 6:01 pm
The first one, Wow! All are great captures, Laura!
November 22, 2014 at 6:17 pm
Thanks so much Amy! I’m so glad it came out. They are such beautiful birds.
November 22, 2014 at 7:35 pm
Oh my goodness! I love birds, and your photos made me so happy. You must be on a flyway to have such variety. Beautiful photos!
November 23, 2014 at 7:16 am
Thank you! Hopefully next time I will get some new birds around here. 🙂
November 23, 2014 at 9:11 am
And the birds know what they are doing. 🙂 Great captures of these beautiful creatures. Have a great Sunday!
November 23, 2014 at 9:46 am
Thank you Sharon. Have a great Sunday to you too!
November 23, 2014 at 10:44 am
The flying Duck shot is an ace.
November 23, 2014 at 11:32 am
Thank you! I’m so glad you like it. 🙂
November 23, 2014 at 12:58 pm
Around here the birds have flown south already. Only the idiot birds stays behind.
November 23, 2014 at 2:18 pm
We have mild weather all year long….it gets chilly in the Bay Area but nothing like the east coast or the sierras.
November 23, 2014 at 3:15 pm
wonderful and yes I love the blur!!!
November 23, 2014 at 4:06 pm
Thank you :). It was a fun thing to try.
November 23, 2014 at 8:27 pm
Beautiful shots ~ the last one of the mallards is excellent, processed perfectly.
November 24, 2014 at 7:00 am
Thank you so much Dalo 🙂
November 23, 2014 at 11:13 pm
I hadn’t seen the shot of the egret in the tree. A beautiful capture. Thanks for sharing.
November 24, 2014 at 7:01 am
Thank you! It struck me funny that large bird in that tree.
November 24, 2014 at 9:12 am
These are fantastic Laura. I especially love the last one.
November 24, 2014 at 9:16 am
Thank you so much! I really love birds. 🙂