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- Oct 22, 2021
- Posts
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- Name
- Tim
- Country
- United States
- City/State
- SE Michigan
I decided to brave the cold today and headed out to nearby Sterling State Park on Lake Erie. The sun was shining and the wind had died down to a dull roar. I had about 2 hours before the football game and was hoping to see something photo-worthy. After getting into the park I drove the main road toward the beach. As I neared, I saw a few cars at the side of the road and a couple people with cameras. A herd of whitetail deer were browsing the vegetation just off the road. They definitely have their winter coats on, gone are the sleek, gleaming coats of the rut.
They didn't stick around long. I drove down to the beach and took a few shots but got out quickly since the wind was blowing pretty steadily out in the open.
I decided to head home since there wasn't much else to see. On the way out I stopped at a trailhead area that I knew had a picturesque bridge a short ways from the parking lot. I was heading toward the bridge when I noticed about 12-15 people looking up, and all of them with cameras. A tree with berries was loaded with cardinals.
Near the tree were a couple more photographers looking up into a pine tree. I walked over and the guy pointed up and said: "A Northern Saw-Whet Owl." These birds are common in Northern Michigan, not so common around here. Add to it they're extremely nocturnal and are usually hidden way up in the trees and sightings are rare. This little one was less than 10' away. The man said he was from NE Ohio and had heard there is a pair here in the park, so he drove up to try and catch some shots. This was one of his bucket-list birds. Too bad the tree was so thick and the little guy was so sleepy. Still, I'm lucky to have had the opportunity.
Oh yeah, here's the bridge:
Very glad I made the effort. Got some cool stuff I hadn't planned on, and got home in time for the game.
- ILCE-1
- E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067
- 400.0 mm
- ƒ/8
- 1/500 sec
- ISO 100
- ILCE-1
- E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067
- 400.0 mm
- ƒ/8
- 1/500 sec
- ISO 125
They didn't stick around long. I drove down to the beach and took a few shots but got out quickly since the wind was blowing pretty steadily out in the open.
- ILCE-1
- E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067
- 236.0 mm
- ƒ/8
- 1/1000 sec
- ISO 125
- ILCE-1
- E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067
- 106.0 mm
- ƒ/8
- 1/500 sec
- ISO 100
- ILCE-1
- E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067
- 50.0 mm
- ƒ/8
- 1/1000 sec
- ISO 320
I decided to head home since there wasn't much else to see. On the way out I stopped at a trailhead area that I knew had a picturesque bridge a short ways from the parking lot. I was heading toward the bridge when I noticed about 12-15 people looking up, and all of them with cameras. A tree with berries was loaded with cardinals.
- ILCE-1
- E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067
- 400.0 mm
- ƒ/6.3
- 1/1000 sec
- ISO 125
- ILCE-1
- E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067
- 400.0 mm
- ƒ/6.3
- 1/1000 sec
- ISO 125
- ILCE-1
- E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067
- 400.0 mm
- ƒ/6.3
- 1/1000 sec
- ISO 125
- ILCE-1
- E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067
- 400.0 mm
- ƒ/6.3
- 1/1000 sec
- ISO 125
- ILCE-1
- E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067
- 400.0 mm
- ƒ/6.3
- 1/1000 sec
- ISO 400
- ILCE-1
- E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067
- 400.0 mm
- ƒ/6.3
- 1/1000 sec
- ISO 400
Near the tree were a couple more photographers looking up into a pine tree. I walked over and the guy pointed up and said: "A Northern Saw-Whet Owl." These birds are common in Northern Michigan, not so common around here. Add to it they're extremely nocturnal and are usually hidden way up in the trees and sightings are rare. This little one was less than 10' away. The man said he was from NE Ohio and had heard there is a pair here in the park, so he drove up to try and catch some shots. This was one of his bucket-list birds. Too bad the tree was so thick and the little guy was so sleepy. Still, I'm lucky to have had the opportunity.
- ILCE-1
- E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067
- 400.0 mm
- ƒ/6.3
- 1/1000 sec
- ISO 800
- ILCE-1
- E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067
- 400.0 mm
- ƒ/6.3
- 1/1000 sec
- ISO 640
- ILCE-1
- E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067
- 400.0 mm
- ƒ/6.3
- 1/1000 sec
- ISO 800
Oh yeah, here's the bridge:
- ILCE-1
- E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067
- 50.0 mm
- ƒ/6.3
- 1/1000 sec
- ISO 125
Very glad I made the effort. Got some cool stuff I hadn't planned on, and got home in time for the game.
Last edited: