Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe (adult) on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. At first it appeared to me that the Phoebe was repeatedly failing to get any suet at all.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, they make short runs out over the pond waters to intercept flying insects. Apparently this was why it could not or would not simply grab the suet cage and hang on, as we see the Woodpeckers do; i.e. maybe it just didn’t know how.
The Eastern Phoebe winters only as far north as North Carolina. So, this adult apparently was migrating here to breed (Maine .... or just passing through Maine and headed farther north).
The trouble it now faces is that insects have only appeared here just this week, and there have been very few of them. So, this Phoebe is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy. And then, to make it more difficult, an early spring snow came right during this shoot!
I’ll be looking for this bird at the suet early tomorrow.
Next day, April 10: It did not return. I like to hope/believe it survived the night and chose to forge on toward its destination.
_____
Photographing it ......
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that was in a heavy overcast.
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe (adult) on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. At first it appeared to me that the Phoebe was repeatedly failing to get any suet at all.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, they make short runs out over the pond waters to intercept flying insects. Apparently this was why it could not or would not simply grab the suet cage and hang on, as we see the Woodpeckers do; i.e. maybe it just didn’t know how.
The Eastern Phoebe winters only as far north as North Carolina. So, this adult apparently was migrating here to breed (Maine .... or just passing through Maine and headed farther north).
The trouble it now faces is that insects have only appeared here just this week, and there have been very few of them. So, this Phoebe is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy. And then, to make it more difficult, an early spring snow came right during this shoot!
I’ll be looking for this bird at the suet early tomorrow.
Next day, April 10: It did not return. I hope/believe it survived the night and forged on toward its destination.
_____
Photographing it ......
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that was in a heavy overcast.
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe (adult) on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. At first it appeared to me that the Phoebe was repeatedly failing to get any suet at all.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, they make short runs out over the pond waters to intercept flying insects. Apparently this was why it could not or would not simply grab the suet cage and hang on, as we see the Woodpeckers do; i.e. maybe it just didn’t know how.
The Eastern Phoebe winters only as far north as North Carolina. So, this adult apparently was migrating here to breed (Maine .... or just passing through Maine and headed farther north).
The trouble it now faces is that insects have only appeared here just this week, and there have been very few of them. So, this Phoebe is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy. And then, to make it more difficult, an early spring snow came right during this shoot!
I’ll be looking for this bird at the suet early tomorrow.
Next day, April 10: It did not return. I hope/believe it survived the night and simply forged on toward its destination.
_____
Photographing it ......
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that was in a heavy overcast.
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe (adult) on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. At first it appeared to me that the Phoebe was repeatedly failing to get any suet at all.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, they make short runs out over the pond waters to intercept flying insects. Apparently this was why it could not or would not simply grab the suet cage and hang on, as we see the Woodpeckers do; i.e. maybe it just didn’t know how.
The Eastern Phoebe winters only as far north as North Carolina. So, it was migrating up here to breed (Maine .... or just passing through Maine and headed farther north).
The trouble it now faces is that insects have only appeared here just this week, and there have been very few of them. So, this Phoebe is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy. And then, to make it more difficult, an early spring snow came during this shoot.
I’ll be looking for this bird at the suet early tomorrow.
Next day, April 10: It did not return. Hopefully it survived and is simply continuing toward its destination.
_____
Photographing it ......
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that was in a heavy overcast.
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe (adult) on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. At first it appeared to me that the Phoebe was repeatedly failing to get any suet at all.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, they make short runs out over the pond waters to intercept flying insects. Apparently this was why it could not or would not simply grab the suet cage and hang on, as a Woodpecker would; i.e. maybe it didn’t know how.
The Eastern Phoebe winters only as far north as North Carolina. So, it was migrating to here to breed (Maine .... or just passing through Maine and headed farther north).
The trouble it now faces is that insects have only appeared here just this week, and there have been very few of them. So, this Phoebe is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy. And then, to make it more difficult, an early spring snow came during this shoot.
I’ll be looking for this bird at the suet early tomorrow.
Next day, April 10: It did not return. Hopefully it passed through and is continuing toward its destination.
_____
Photographing it ......
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that was in a heavy overcast.
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe (adult) on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. At first it appeared to me that the Phoebe was repeatedly failing to get any suet at all.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, they make short runs out over the pond waters to intercept flying insects. Apparently this was why it could not or would not simply grab the suet cage and hang on, as a Woodpecker would; i.e. maybe it didn’t know how.
The Eastern Phoebe winters only as far north as North Carolina. So, it was migrating to here to breed (Maine .... or just passing through Maine and headed farther north).
The trouble it now faces is that insects have only appeared here just this week, and there have been very few of them. So, this Phoebe is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy. And then, to make it more difficult, an early spring snow came during this shoot.
I’ll be looking for this bird at the suet early tomorrow.
Next day, April 10: It did not return. Hopefully it passed through and continuing toward its destination.
_____
Photographing it ......
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that was in a heavy overcast.
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe (adult) on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. At first it appeared to me that the Phoebe was repeatedly failing to get any suet at all.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, they make short runs out over the pond waters to intercept flying insects. Apparently this was why it could not or would not simply grab the suet cage and hang on, as a Woodpecker would; i.e. maybe it didn’t know how.
The Eastern Phoebe winters only as far north as North Carolina. So, it was migrating to here to breed (Maine .... or just passing through Maine and headed farther north).
The trouble it now faces is that insects have only appeared here just this week, and there have been very few of them. So, this Phoebe is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy. And then, to make it more difficult, an early spring snow came during this shoot.
I’ll be looking for this bird at the suet early tomorrow.
Next day, April 10: It did not return. Hopefully it survived and passed through toward its destination.
_____
Photographing it ......
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that was in a heavy overcast.
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe (adult) on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. At first it appeared to me that the Phoebe was repeatedly failing to get any suet at all.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, they make short runs out over the pond waters to intercept flying insects. Apparently this was why it could not or would not simply grab the suet cage and hang on, as a Woodpecker would; i.e. maybe it didn’t know how.
The Eastern Phoebe winters only as far north as North Carolina. So, it was migrating to here to breed (Maine .... or just passing through Maine and headed farther north).
The trouble it now faces is that insects have only appeared here just this week, and there have been very few of them. So, this Phoebe is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy. And then, to make it more difficult, an early spring snow came during this shoot.
I’ll be looking for this bird at the suet early tomorrow.
Next day, April 10: It did not return.
_____
Photographing it ......
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that was in a heavy overcast.
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe (adult) on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. At first it appeared to me that the Phoebe was repeatedly failing to get any suet at all.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, they make short runs out over the pond waters to intercept flying insects. Apparently this was why it could not or would not simply grab the suet cage and hang on, as a Woodpecker would; i.e. maybe it didn’t know how.
The Eastern Phoebe winters only as far north as North Carolina. So, it was migrating to here to breed (Maine .... or just passing through Maine and headed farther north).
The trouble it now faces is that insects have only appeared here just this week, and there have been very few of them. So, this Phoebe is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy. And then, to make it more difficult, an early spring snow came during this shoot.
I’ll be looking for this bird at the suet early tomorrow.
_____
Photographing it ......
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that was in a heavy overcast.
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe (adult) on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. At first it appeared to me that the Phoebe was repeatedly failing to get any suet at all.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, they make short runs out over the pond waters to intercept flying insects. Apparently this was why it could not or would not simply grab the suet cage and hang on, as a Woodpecker would; i.e. maybe it didn’t know how.
The Eastern Phoebe winters only as far north as North Carolina. So, it was migrating to here to breed (Maine .... or just passing through Maine and headed farther north).
The trouble it now faces is that insects have only appeared here just this week, and there have been very few of them. So, this Phoebe is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy. And then, to make it more difficult, an early spring snow came during this shoot.
I’ll be looking for this bird at the suet early tomorrow.
_____
Photographing it ......
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that was in a heavy overcast.
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe (adult) on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. At first it appeared to me that the Phoebe was repeatedly failing to get any suet at all.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, they make short runs out over the pond waters to intercept flying insects. Apparently this was why it could not or would not simply grab the suet cage and hang on, as a Woodpecker would; i.e. maybe it didn’t know how.
The Eastern Phoebe winters only as far north as North Carolina. So, it was migrating to here to breed (Maine .... or just passing through Maine and headed farther north).
The trouble it now faces is that insects have only appeared here just this week, and there have been very few of them. So, apparently this Phoebe is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy. And then, to make it more difficult, an early spring snow came during this shoot.
I’ll be looking for it early tomorrow.
_____
Photographing it ......
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that was in a heavy overcast.
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe (adult) on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. At first it appeared to me that the Phoebe was repeatedly failing to get any suet at all.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, they make short runs out over the pond waters to intercept flying insects. Apparently this was why it could not or would not simply grab the suet cage and hang on, as a Woodpecker would; i.e. maybe it didn’t know how.
The Eastern Phoebe winters only as far north as North Carolina. So, it was migrating to here to breed (Maine .... or just passing through Maine and headed farther north).
The trouble it now faces is that insects have only appeared here just this week, and there have been very few of them. So, apparently this Phoebe is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy. And then, to make it more difficult, an early spring snow came during this shoot.
I’ll be looking for it early tomorrow.
_____
Photographing it ......
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that was in a heavy overcast (starting at 6400 ISO and 20000 ISO to 25000 ISO late in shoot).
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe (adult) on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. At first it appeared to me that the Phoebe was repeatedly failing to get any suet at all.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, they make short runs out over the pond waters to intercept flying insects. Apparently this was why it could not or would not simply grab the suet cage and hang on, as a Woodpecker would; i.e. maybe it didn’t know how.
The Eastern Phoebe winters only as far north as North Carolina. So, it was migrating to here to breed (Maine .... or just passing through Maine and headed farther north).
The trouble it now faces is that insects have only appeared here just this week, and there have been very few of them. So, apparently this Phoebe is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy. And then, to make it more difficult, an early spring snow came during this shoot.
I’ll be looking for it early tomorrow.
_____
Photographing it ......
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that was in a heavy overcast (see ISOs).
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe (adult) on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. At first it appeared to me that the Phoebe was repeatedly failing to get any suet at all.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, they make short runs out over the pond to intercept flying insects. Apparently this was why it could not or would not simply grab the suet cage and hang on, as a Woodpecker would; i.e. maybe it didn’t know how.
The Eastern Phoebe winters only as far north as North Carolina. So, it was migrating to here to breed (Maine .... or just passing through Maine and headed farther north).
The trouble it now faces is that insects have only appeared here just this week, and there have been very few of them. So, apparently this Phoebe is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy. And then, to make it more difficult, an early spring snow came during this shoot.
_____
Photographing ......
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that in a heavy overcast (see ISO).
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe (adult) on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. At first it appeared to me that the Phoebe was repeatedly failing to get any suet at all.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, they make short runs out over the pond to intercept flying insects. Apparently this was why it could not or would not simply grab the suet cage and hang on, as a Woodpecker would; i.e. maybe it didn’t know how.
The Eastern Phoebe winters only as far north as North Carolina. So, it was migrating to here to breed (Maine .... or just passing through Maine and headed farther north).
The trouble it now faces is that insects have only appeared here just this week, and there have been very few of them. So, apparently this Phoebe is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy. And then, to make it more difficult, an early spring snow came during this shoot.
_____
Photographing ......
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that in a heavy overcast (see ISO).
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. And it repeatedly failed to get any suet at all. Then, after probably a half-dozen attempts, it succeeded in picking off a little bit of suet before it flew off.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, upon spotting a flying insect over the pond, they make short runs out to intercept it, and then return to the limb/twig and do it again. Apparently that is why it could not or would not simply grab the cage and hang on, as a Woodpecker would; i.e. maybe it didn’t know how. Learn something new every day.
Insects only appeared here just this week, and there are few of them. This may be why this Flycatcher is forced to survive on suet, for its high-energy.
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring.
I had to hurry, as this bird was incidental and passing through. I knew it would never return. It winters only as far north as North Carolina and apparently is here in Maine to breed.
I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that in a heavy overcast (see ISO). One image from about a 10 frame burst.
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. And it repeatedly failed to get any suet at all. Then, after probably a half-dozen attempts, it succeeded in picking off a little bit of suet before it flew off.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, upon spotting a flying insect over the pond, they make short runs out to intercept it, and then return to the limb/twig and do it again. Apparently that is why it could not or would not simply grab the cage and hang on, as a Woodpecker would; i.e. maybe it didn’t know how. Learn something new every day.
Insects only showed here over the last week. Not even that and there are few of them. This may be why this Flycatcher is forced to fuel-up on suet, for its high-energy.
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring.
I had to hurry, as this bird was incidental and passing through. I knew it would never return. It winters only as far north as North Carolina and apparently is here in Maine to breed.
I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that in a heavy overcast (see ISO). One image from about a 10 frame burst.
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. And it repeatedly failed to get any suet at all. Then, after probably a half-dozen attempts, it succeeded in picking off a little bit of suet before it flew off.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, upon spotting a flying insect over the pond, they make short runs out to intercept it, and then return to the limb/twig and do it again. Apparently that is why it could not or would not simply grab the cage and hang on, as a Woodpecker would; i.e. maybe it didn’t know how. Learn something new every day.
Insects only showed here over the last week. Not even that and there are few of them. This may be why this Flycatcher is forced to fuel-up on suet, for its high-energy.
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring.
I had to hurry, as this bird was incidental and passing through. I knew it would never return. It winters only as far north as North Carolina and apparently is here in Maine to breed.
I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that in a heavy overcast (see ISO). One image from about a 10 frame burst.
Re: "Official" Nikon 500 f/5.6E PF Discussion and Image Thread
Eastern Phoebe on final approach to a suet cage. It could only fly up next to the cage and *briefly* hover at it. And it repeatedly failed to get any suet at all. Then, after probably a half-dozen attempts, it succeeded in picking off a little bit of suet before it flew off.
This species is included in the group “Flycatchers”, making their living off flying insects. Perching at water’s edge, upon spotting a flying insect over the pond, they make short runs out to intercept it, and then return to the limb/twig and do it again. Apparently that is why it could not or would not simply grab the cage and hang on, as a Woodpecker would; i.e. maybe it didn’t know how. Learn something new every day.
Insects only showed here over the last week. Not even that and there are few of them. This may be why this Flycatcher is forced to fuel-up on suet, for its high-energy.
Single Focus Point AF-C hunted, without acquiring. I had to hurry, as this bird was incidental and passing through. I knew it would never return. I quickly switched to Auto AF and the D850/500 5.6 PF *instantly* acquired, and that in a heavy overcast (see ISO). One image from about a 10 frame burst.
