Once again exhilarating shots Argonaut, the Scops Owl certainly doesn’t seem to be keen on your activities, but it’s a wonder how it was even spotted in the first place as it looks like a dead branch, great camo.
Greg

+1

All I can say is *I* didn't find it myself, and it probably took me a few moments to see it when it was pointed out. I remember finding a smaller scops owl in South Africa - a cheerful park person tried to get me on it and I was ten feet away and didn't see it against the tree bark. Your really good bird guides can pick the shape of a bird out of the most confusing backgrounds from miles away - a gift I do not have.

Hi Mark, : )

What can I say? Always amazed at the variety of birds around your town... A pleasure to see such wild life so close to home.


Hi Argonaut,

Do you realize that with such shots as these that you upload you actually can save many from a long trip to get close to these lovely birds.
The latest uploads are extremely well-shot. The subjects are uniquely interesting each. The Scoops Owl is especially good.

Thanks for sharing,

Yildiz

Very interesting shots Argonaut - thanks for the continuing online safari

This is a wild predator (Bald Eagle?) at the edge of Turnagain arm near Anchorage, Alaska.
I did not have time to put on my Tammy. I was worried this one might disappear after eating
its catch. Taken with Tamron 18-200 on Alpha 900.


This one is a 100% crop.

[url][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigsur/7527992386/][/url]
DSC28688-299crop by BigSury, on Flickr[/url]

Full Image here

[url][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigsur/7527984914/][/url]
DSC28688-299 by BigSury, on Flickr[/url]

Sury, don't tell me you're on a trip to a wonderful place on earth and only with the Tamron 18-250... and you're not following the prescriptions I signed for your health... oh dear... you do realize the weather is not like California and you're not in your twenties, so where is the 70-400 I prescribed? I am amazed, you are not taking care of your health... and who's to be blamed? I know... cherchez la femme...
OK, let's do it like this: I prescribe a 300/2.8 but you take as an alternative a 70-400...

I think you must take the Doc's prescription Sury. It could have been worse; he might have suggested an extra A900 body so you didn't have to waste time changing lenses .

@sury: "Are you taking your medicine, young man?!"
Identifying the bird is a bit hard with these images, sorry.

@Argonaut: splendid images once again. I very much like to shoot an owl in the wild for once in my lifetime. Very nice!

Mark

I took my parents for a walk yesterday and brought the camera to shoot some wildlife

#1 - A juvenile Coot (Fulica atra)



#2 - Female Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

She brought a big meal for her nest!



#3 - juvenile Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

I can seeeee you!



#4 - Great Tit (Parus major)



Mark

Doc, Birma, Mark,
Mea culpa. Mea culpa maximus. My (younger) brother who overcame with brotherly affection promised to
buy me a lens (or even two ). But that happened on the way to the airport and there was no Sony store
at the airport. I have not zeroed in on which one to buy yet. Hmmm!hiccup! 70-400. Let me check it out.

Someone standing next to me mentioned that was a bald eagle. I have other shots that I can try to crop
and post.

This was with Tamron 200-500. This is caged at the Wildlife Conservatory.
[url][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigsur/7528405140/][/url]
DSC28785-369 by BigSury, on Flickr[/url]

With best regards,
Sury

Very nice birds MArk - I especially like the little Bkack Cap with its beak full of goodies for the nestlings, and the great tit that looks thoroughly wearn out .

Sury, if you already have the Tamron 200-500, I wonder how much improvement you'll get with the 70-400? I suppose Mark may have a view as he has the 70-400 - perhaps it is faster focusing with SSM?

I have no idea, as I never have seen or used the Tamron.

Mark

Tamron or no Tamron, it's not a G class lens!!
Great shots, Mark and Sury.

That's true. And thanks!

@sury: splendid image of one of your countries symbols!

Mark