Showing posts with label Greater Scaup. Show all posts

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Nikon D500

On April 21 Nikon released the D500, and I received my copy on April 22. I already had downloaded from Nikon both of the camera manuals and did an initial read. The D500 camera dials are similar to the D300 and the D 810, but as usual with a new camera, there are modifications, which will take a little time to be comfortable

Some of the items that I like is that it is easier to change the ISO settings, lens fine tune is simple and does not require extra equipment, the continuous frame rate is up to 10 frames per second, and the buffer has increased to 200 frames.

I mounted my Nikon 200-400 mm F/5 6 lens onto the camera and tried the lens fine tune and found that the lens did not need any calibration. I took this combination out photographing yesterday and today and am very pleased with the results.

I am shooting manual and using auto ISO. Today discovered a large flock of wild turkeys displaying along Horseneck Road in Westport. One of the photos that I took was that ISO 9000 and the noise was not that disturbing.

Wild Turkeys Displaying

I have tried a few photographs today, utilizing the 1.3 X crop factor which according to the EXIF I have data doubled my focal length of the lens. The results were pleasing.

Tree Swallow

White-breasted Nuthatch

American Robin Bringing Mud Back to the Nest That It Is Building¶

Unless something changes the D500 and the 200-500 lens will be my wildlife shooting combination. This combination is very handholdable and much lighter than my 500 mm F/4 lens.

Double-crested Cormorants

Pairs of Greater Scaup

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Plymouth Massachusetts

Bufflehead

I decided today to visit Plymouth Massachusetts since I haven't photograph the birded that area in a while. I started at Jenney Pond, where most of the pond was frozen. In the open area there were a number of Buffleheads, either female or first year males, Greater Scaup, a couple of Gadwall pairs and a pair of Mute Swans. In the small creek that leads into the pond were mostly mallards. Most of the birds were either feeding or preening. The only passerines that I saw were a few juncos and house sparrows.

Greater Scaup

House Sparrow

Mute Swan preening

I then went down to the harbor and stopped at the Pilgrim Monument State Park where there were Red-breasted Mergansers, a Ruddy Duck a single female Common Eider. As I was searching around to see if there was anything else I noticed a pair of small white birds on the rocks. When I got closer I recognized a pair of Snow Buntings, whole obligingly allowed me to photograph them.

Ruddy Duck

Female Common eider flapping her wings

Snow Bunting

Pair of Snow Buntings

I then traveled to the harbor itself to see if there were any unusual gulls present but nothing but the usual. Since the tide was partly out I decided then to travel to Plymouth Beach to see if there were any unusual gulls there and to walk out toward the tip of the beach to look for snowy owls. However, when I got to the entrance to the beach, it was closed due to laying down of new sand on top of the rocks. It looks like that part of the roadway got washed out during the last storm.

However all in all it was a good morning.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

How to Recognize the Different Species of Scaup

Lesser Scaup

Greatest Scaup

The other day, the most common species that we observed were scaup. Now there are two species of scaup: Greatest Scaup and Lesser Scaup. Today's blog, hopefully will help you would field marks to tell a difference when you are out in the field. Normally, location helps to identify which scaup, it is. Greatest Scaup, are usually found in more northern locations, on saltwater and are coastal. Lesser Scaup can be found more southern, in land and on freshwater. However, in the winter. This may not hold true, especially if lakes, ponds and rivers are frozen. Presently, a great location to observe the scaup and other species of ducks, loons and coots is at Blackstone Park, on River Road overlooking the Seekonk River in Providence, Rhode Island.

Lesser Scaup

Greatest Scaup

Greatest Scaup Female

Lesser Scaup

Whenever you see a large flock of scaup, you need to look closely to see if you are lucky enough to have a Tufted Duck mixed in with the flock.The tufted duck is similar in appearance except for the small tuft of feathers coming off of its head.

Tufted Duck with Scaup

Here is a quick reference guide:

Characteristic	Greater Scaup	Lesser Scaup
Size	18-20"	16-18"
Bill	Broad, Prominent Black Nail	Narrower, More Delicate Nail
Head Shape	Rounded, Highest Point Near Forehead	Oval, Highest Point Near Back, Notch at Rear
Iridescence	Green	Green or Purple
Plumage	Narrow Back Barring, Plain White Flanks	Heavier Barring, Barring Extends onto Flanks
Wing Pattern	White Extends Across Secondary and Primary Feathers	White Only on Secondary Feathers

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Waterfowl

Over the last few days I've been out viewing and photographing the waterfowl in the area. Because of the cold weather. the ponds and coves are starting to ice up, which will congregate the waterfowl and to smaller areas. I am sure as the ponds ice up more and get completely close off the birds will start to migrate southward or more out into the ocean waters.