Another neighbor and another bird.

[MN Shutterbug]

Another neighbor, Bob, has given me permission to take photos in his yard. I had a call the other day from a guy I used to work with a few years ago, on a part time basis. He had seen a few notecards that another ex co-worker had bought of mine, at the local art center. Bob had just bought a Nikon with 18-200mm lens. Bob had never used a digital camera before and knows absolutely nothing about the camera or photography. He's got a trip to Alaska planned in a month and wanted some help with his camera and had me install a software program and show him a few tips. Bob asked how much money I wanted. I told him, I'd be happy to just be able to use his backyard. He lives across the river and about 50 yards downstream from where I had my blind set up in another person's backyard. The location is about 4 blocks from my house. He gets more birds and a different variety, due to the kind of seed he puts out. While at his house, I saw about 8 grosbeaks, a couple orioles, 3 bluejays and a brown thrush amidst the downy woodpeckers. Bob has a storage building in his backyard and the the door faces his feeders. How ideal. He left it onlocked and I can sit inside with the camera set up by the open door. I'm out of the wind and the birds don't see me. He even had a stool in there for me to use and electricity, if I need it. This is much better than a 20 spot.

Anyway, here is one of my pics from this morning. I'll be going back later today to try and capture the thrush. These birds are even more skittish than the jays.

[buzzsaw]

Hopefully he will let you set up some natural looking perches too... it sounds like a nice neighbor you have!

[Paul]

That is a great shot of a jay. Nice and sharp.

[Dbl]

Good one X!

[mcary]

Nice shot X! I love the light on the jays face. Sounds like a sweet set-up. Good luck with it.

[Steve Foss]

Sweet light on that jay, Mike. Even though it's from the side, the light is not too hot, and there's a lot of rich detail and color in the lightly shadowed areas.

Best of luck on the thrush (or, since you said it's a brown thrush, it may really be a brown thrasher).

[MN Shutterbug]

Steve, you forced me to look in my bird book. It is a brown thrasher, and I got him. Actually, they do look a lot alike.

[Steve Foss]

Steve, you forced me to look in my bird book. It is a brown thrasher, and I got him. Actually, they do look a lot alike.

Good job!

[finnbay]

Nice shot, X!