Sunday, May 5, 2013

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher/Birding

 Blue-gray gnatcatcher

One of the frustrations of photographing birds is they don't always appear in the best light. Hmmmm. Yesterday, this one (and its mate which you cannot see in this photo) was on the west side of the path in late afternoon. I moved to a better angle and they wouldn't come back. But when I returned to the path they continued building their nest.

 Beginnings of nest made of spider web threads and plant fibres

Blue-gray gnatcatchers are rare to uncommon here so I decided to continue photographing them in spite of the light.

Contortionist when nest building

I am linking with I'd Rather B Birdin'  HERE.

45 comments:

  1. Very cool shots, EG. Much better than I can do. Cute little bird, too!

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  2. I know what you mean about 'light' for these lovely friends of ours...AND not to leave out, they don't stick around long enough most times as they flit from branch to branch. Once you're focused in on them, they've moved over yonder! LOL

    Great images. Nest building, huh? It's that time of year. :o)

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  3. I understand the frustration of bird photography. You did get good shots of this activity.

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  4. Thank you for your efforts.
    I enjoy every shot - and learn so much.

    love & love,
    -g-

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  5. the light is beautiful in these, i like the background as much as the birds. that last one is to funny, i have never seen a contortionist bird before.

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  6. Great post on the Gnatcatcher! They are cuties! cool you were able to watch the nest building!

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  7. Lovely photos!
    Nice to study!

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  8. Nice capture!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  9. They did give you some good poses. Great captures.

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  10. i like the white ring around their eyes.

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  11. Cool sequence! Lovely captures.

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  12. So cute, little bird !! Lovely pics.

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  13. The light looks great to me. I've decided I don't have the patience to be a bird photographer. Kind of like, okay, you don't want to pose where I need you to, then I'll go take a picture of something else.

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  14. These are great. Busy little bird.

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  15. They are so smart to use spider webs as an adhesive in the nest-building! Super shots.

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  16. How neat you got to see and photograph them. I don't think I have even heard of one. Pretty bird too. MB

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  17. Well no wonder I have never seen them---we don't have any here. MB

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  18. Brilliant photos, love the dappled lighting. Shows these pretty birds just beautifully.

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  19. That top one reminds me of that Emily Dickinson poem about hope being the thing with feathers on....etc. The way that bird's neck is arched looks like hope to me...

    =)

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  20. ¸.•°✿✿⊱彡

    Ótimas fotos.
    Ótima semana!
    Beijinhos.
    Brasil.°✿⊱彡
    ¸.•°✿✿⊱彡

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  21. I rather like the light, and the bird certainly appears to be thinking about how best to build the nest.

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  22. I think they are good shots! Interesting how they use spider webs!

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  23. So glad you were able to capture these great shots!

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  24. You got some marvelous shots of the nest-building even if the light wasn't what you hoped it would be.

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  25. Wow, wonderful that you even got to see them working on the nest, much less get these photos!

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  26. it is a treat to be able to see this. :)

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  27. Lovely photos! It's always so amazing to be able to watch birds building their nests

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  28. Great shots, I love the positions birds manage to get themselves into.

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  29. Great shots. I love the way it turned up its nose in the first shot.

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  30. So very beautiful! =)

    I thought the bird was holding his/her neck up to sing.. ;) but now I see it might as well be because he/she is looking for spider web threads.. :))
    if the bird didn't stay in the sun right there, the leaves did! so lovely! :)

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  31. A lovely, little subject and although you think they are difficult to photograph, you did quite a fine job.

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  32. There is something wrong with that light? I didn't notice.

    I marvel at your knowledge about birds.

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  33. The light looks marvelous to me!:) I am especially impressed at your patience in finding these lovely creatures.

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  34. You've managed some amazing shots here - the last one is simply magic. What a treat! I see nothing wrong with the light; it brightens the leaves nicely.

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  35. What lovely shots. You captured them well! And it all looks so spring-like!

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  36. awww so cute little bird!Your pictures are wonderful!
    hugs and a nice week
    Léia

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  37. I've only seen this bird once and it was an active little thing--and very tiny. You did great with these!

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  38. Great shots even if you didn't think the light was quite right. Gnat catchers must be useful in the garden.

    Darla

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  39. I do think those birds could take direction much better when we suggest they move to the left. How fun to watch her build the nest!

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  40. Blimey EG I would have been mega chuffed with these shots. What gorgeous little birds they are, love the first shot, looks like it's singing like crazy :)

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  41. You did great capturing such a small bird. If they are in nature you are right they aren't always in the best backgrounds or light.

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