wordless wednesday

snow? again?!

Monticello swans

According to WCCO-TV tonight and the Monticello Chamber of Commerce , feeding of the swans has resumed at Monticello. The photo below was taken November 28 (see my blog entries for that day & several subsequent ones) while feeding was suspended. The picture at the upper right of my blog was also taken at Monticello. The city has improved the parking situation and it is really fun to spend a few hours there. Don't forget to contribute towards the cost of feeding these lovely birds. Nearly 1,000 of them show up each day (plus ducks & geese).

new map

Check out Mike Hendrickson's new Sax-Zim Bog map for
bird sightings, feeding stations, warnings, etc.

last week's snowfall

"Hey! It's time to replace the suet!"

White-breasted Nuthatch

Christmas Day brunch

  

Christmas Eve Day

The glistening snow reminded me of the old fashioned Christmas cards with all the sparkles.

Hairy vs. Blue Jay

As the Blue Jay landed on the branch with a screeching halt, Hairy exclaimed,

"Krafts better fill this up! We're almost out of suet!"

Blue Jay stared at the suet and thought, "Hairy is right! There won't be enough for me."

"Might makes right," the Blue Jay announced.

Hairy pondered this turn of events, but all he could come up with was,

"Life ain't fair!"

another rare species

This rare bird was captured by my iPhone camera. My excitement is showing by the blurred nature of the picture. I have identified it by the scientific name, Mallus Americus.

how to check out a restaurant

Hey! I believe!

Clips from the upcoming "Ghost Bird" documentary here . Watch both of them. 
Anyone want to go? Anyone have Mary's phone number?
Thanks to Birdchick for the link.

FINALLY!

Today is the shortest day of the year -- finally the days will start getting longer!

more snow

upon hearing the words "trade-in," Ivars' snowblower started immediately and ran beautifully

all photos with iPhone

up, up, and away!

Canon vs. Nikon vs. Sony

To the perennial argument about which is better, Canon or Nikon, we now have Sony making a very strong presence with its 24.6 megapixel sensor for under $3000. If you are making the leap to a top quality DSLR, how do you choose? John Mikes in yesterday's post on his excellent blog points out Canon's recent problems; he also refers us to a Canon insider whose blog, Fake Chuck Westfall , I have not yet explored. Finally, there's the Online Photographer who posted on this topic Wednesday. I urge you to read his post thoroughly to the end; it will point out the considerations that may be important to your style of photography.

My take on all this? I've never used or even seen a Sony DSLR. I used Nikons for film shooting and thought they were the best, even though I never had the top-of-the-line models. My limited exposure to their mid-line digital models has impressed me. In particular, I like the large and bright viewfinder. I have used Canon DSLRs for the last 4 years or so (currently a 20D and an Xti, and considering the 50D). With the investment I have in about a half-dozen lenses, I will not consider switching to Nikon or Sony unless either of them take a more giant leap ahead of Canon. 

The main reason for this is cost. I do not make money from my photography. The second reason, which probably ought to be the first, is that even the lowly Xti can do much more than I have learned to ask of it. I am still learning and probably always will be. My capabilities do not come close to those of any of the DSLRs. During recent years I have learned that what improves my photography the most is practice. Sure, the better lenses are nice -- I'm still on the fence about Canon's 500mm f/4 (currently being more concerned about the weight than the cost). But when I look back at my early efforts, I am convinced that it is the time I have spent shooting that has brought forth the little improvement I have experienced.

This got to be too long, but John got me started with his post yesterday. Thank you John.

Sony 500mm f/8 mirror lens

Don't we have enough of these that seem to be more toys than serious lenses? Well, this one has auto-focus and stabilization -- all for $650. The catch? You need a Sony DSLR body. But, if you're tempted, read a test report here from one of my favorite sources.

re-re-repost of today's chuckle from Richard

"Psst... There's a guy over there with a camera!!"
-- Richard

Thank you to all of you who wrote to tell me that the picture, as modified by Richard with a cartoon-like balloon containing the caption, did now show up on all computers. Anyway, it's still funny  --  thank you, Richard!

P.S.  Richard is posting it on his blog in the original form -- check it out here .  Thanks again, Richard.

the sun can't set -- the birds are still feeding

there's always something to be thankful for

I'm glad I don't have one of these at my bird feeders! Thanks Vrajesh !

wordless wednesday

Get off my perch!!

drinking snow

I've got to get the bird bath heater out.

This poor Goldfinch is eating snow.

sunrise at -7 degrees

shot with iPhone camera

rare bird caught on camera

Rare species phtographed yesterday afternoon. They appear only shortly before Christmas and then are gone for another year.
They are of the genus Xmas and species Domenica Scuola. I sighted this one at St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

bird dreams

I want to echo Richard's recommendation (At The Water ) about Diane's My Bird Sanctuary Dream blog -- check it out. Enthusiasm such as hers is an inspiration for all of us.

House Finch

more nuts

It's cold!

Creepy!

nuts? nuts! suet!

"Where did I hide those nuts?"

"Nuts! Oh, well -- there's always the suet!"

finch

cardinal up close