| Author | Thread |
|
|
03/19/2015 04:35:16 PM · #26 |
OK, I'm going 2 paths here. We've been in this yard 23 years (as of July) and the current count of birds sighted within the 1/2 acre boundaries is over 80. So, I'm going to go down 2 paths - Path 1 will be the birds shot inside, or at least from inside that same 1/2 acre, and Path 2 will be whatever I catch on walkabout. Every year we get something new, though some don't make it until May, but I'm hoping for 45-50 just within the yard.
Weird, but I'm starting to get excited because it gives me something to shoot. I've been more than a bit nonplussed by the challenges of late. |
|
|
|
03/19/2015 05:00:04 PM · #27 |
| Let's try this. Where's that 70-300... |
|
|
|
03/19/2015 05:19:25 PM · #28 |
| Me see bird. Me shoot bird. Before bird fly away. Me hope. |
|
|
|
03/19/2015 05:21:15 PM · #29 |
Originally posted by dtremain:
Me see bird. Me shoot bird. Before bird fly away. Me hope. |
Taulk to Grog ... hep yuu ketch brrd. |
|
|
|
03/19/2015 06:34:17 PM · #30 |
| This sounds like a fun side challenge, so please sign me up. This may just be what I need to get more involved in this site. |
|
|
|
03/20/2015 06:45:27 PM · #31 |
I'm glad to see so many participants. This is, indeed, a low stress challenge that will encourage you to not only use your camera but also get you out and enjoying the world around you.
Also, awwwwwww yeah Tome! Glad to have you.
And in regard to the identification; make an attempt yourself if possible. If you have no clue but think it's a new one for you, go ahead and post as an unidentified and our fellow bird folk will try to help out. Likewise if you think you see a discrepancy in identification, kindly point it out and we'll get it figured out amongst the crowd. Many birds look drastically different depending upon gender, age, or even region, so don't feel bad if you get some accidental duplicates. |
|
|
|
03/20/2015 07:25:14 PM · #32 |
| Me not know birds, but will make attempt to identify! (They're the critters with wings, right? They fly, for the most part?) |
|
|
|
03/21/2015 10:44:36 AM · #33 |
| I'll give this a go this year. I'm excited this year to get out more and get some fresh air. Spring always comes late to Colorado, but there seems to be more birds heading this way soon. Please sign me up! |
|
|
|
03/21/2015 07:54:58 PM · #34 |
Originally posted by Dennisheckman:
I'll give this a go this year. I'm excited this year to get out more and get some fresh air. Spring always comes late to Colorado, but there seems to be more birds heading this way soon. Please sign me up! |
Geez, you talk about late spring, it's coming strangely early up here in the NW portion of the state. I am normally just getting the snow melted off the ground by this time, but this year I've already got flowers blooming!
Originally posted by Melethia:
Me not know birds, but will make attempt to identify! (They're the critters with wings, right? They fly, for the most part?) |
Yes, with a good bit of hopping thrown in for good measure.
Message edited by author 2015-03-21 19:58:03. |
|
|
|
03/21/2015 10:03:37 PM · #35 |
I'll give it a whirl. Gives me a good excuse to get some practice with the new to me 100-400 that I picked up.
Message edited by author 2015-03-21 22:03:56. |
|
|
|
03/22/2015 08:37:25 AM · #36 |
| For those who are looking to give this a whirl and don't have identification tools, I cannot recommend the Sibley eGuide enough. It's not cheap, but it provides both the same images that are in the paper guide along with a selection of calls for each bird, which is sometimes the only way to differentiate some when you only get a quick look (playing the calls out on the deck can also make for a marvelous spectacle as the birds in the yard respond to their unseen but heard counterparts). There's a limited scope free version that will give you a taste. It's not quite as easy to find that bird you don't know until you spend a lot of time with the search function, but it's a better and more portable choice than their excellent books. |
|
|
|
03/22/2015 09:10:17 AM · #37 |
Thanks Jake! Downloaded the free app, very interesting! The paid version is at $19.99 right now, the problem is, it's a guide for North American birds. I have no idea how different are the species over here in Europe.
Meanwhile I also found the Collins Bird Guide, covering Britain and Europe ($17.99).
Another interesting part of this SC for me is learning the English names of the birds we have around here :-). And as someone else said, I have the impression we only have pigeons and sparrows, so I guess that is about to change. |
|
|
|
03/22/2015 09:19:38 AM · #38 |
|
|
|
03/22/2015 09:44:45 AM · #39 |
Originally posted by tome:
Thanks Jake! Downloaded the free app, very interesting! The paid version is at $19.99 right now, the problem is, it's a guide for North American birds. I have no idea how different are the species over here in Europe.
Meanwhile I also found the Collins Bird Guide, covering Britain and Europe ($17.99).
Another interesting part of this SC for me is learning the English names of the birds we have around here :-). And as someone else said, I have the impression we only have pigeons and sparrows, so I guess that is about to change. |
True enough - it's something I lose site of on this site. Paid version is about $5 cheaper than when I got it. Nice thing is that one download goes to both the iPhone and iPad. |
|
|
|
03/22/2015 09:48:28 AM · #40 |
I have noticed a few birds I do not know when I was out eagle hunting again... That app will be very helpful, thank you!
I think they were woodpeckers but not sure
I think Grog will have fun with this thread as well LOL
Look forward to starting this! Thanks for setting it up
Message edited by author 2015-03-22 09:48:45. |
|
|
|
03/22/2015 09:56:07 AM · #41 |
Originally posted by backdoorhippie:
For those who are looking to give this a whirl and don't have identification tools, I cannot recommend the Sibley eGuide enough. It's not cheap, but it provides both the same images that are in the paper guide along with a selection of calls for each bird, which is sometimes the only way to differentiate some when you only get a quick look (playing the calls out on the deck can also make for a marvelous spectacle as the birds in the yard respond to their unseen but heard counterparts). There's a limited scope free version that will give you a taste. It's not quite as easy to find that bird you don't know until you spend a lot of time with the search function, but it's a better and more portable choice than their excellent books. |
Another option, perhaps more suited to beginners, and also free, is the Merlin bird ID app //merlin.allaboutbirds.org. It's for North American species only, but it helps narrow down the possibilities based on location, time of year, and other attributes such as size and color. |
|
|
|
03/22/2015 05:51:42 PM · #42 |
| Count me in. I always enjoy this side challenge. |
|
|
|
03/22/2015 06:42:29 PM · #43 |
|
|
|
03/22/2015 07:29:03 PM · #44 |
Originally posted by backdoorhippie:
For those who are looking to give this a whirl and don't have identification tools, I cannot recommend the Sibley eGuide enough. It's not cheap, but it provides both the same images that are in the paper guide along with a selection of calls for each bird, which is sometimes the only way to differentiate some when you only get a quick look (playing the calls out on the deck can also make for a marvelous spectacle as the birds in the yard respond to their unseen but heard counterparts). There's a limited scope free version that will give you a taste. It's not quite as easy to find that bird you don't know until you spend a lot of time with the search function, but it's a better and more portable choice than their excellent books. |
I just bought and downloaded this to my iPhone. So far so good! Thanks Jake for posting that information. This app will be one more good tool for identification in the field. |
|
|
|
03/22/2015 07:36:52 PM · #45 |
Originally posted by Dennisheckman:
Originally posted by backdoorhippie:
For those who are looking to give this a whirl and don't have identification tools, I cannot recommend the Sibley eGuide enough. It's not cheap, but it provides both the same images that are in the paper guide along with a selection of calls for each bird, which is sometimes the only way to differentiate some when you only get a quick look (playing the calls out on the deck can also make for a marvelous spectacle as the birds in the yard respond to their unseen but heard counterparts). There's a limited scope free version that will give you a taste. It's not quite as easy to find that bird you don't know until you spend a lot of time with the search function, but it's a better and more portable choice than their excellent books. |
I just bought and downloaded this to my iPhone. So far so good! Thanks Jake for posting that information. This app will be one more good tool for identification in the field. |
For you, Dennis, you might be interested in picking up Birds of Colorado. It's very small so it's portable, has high quality color illustrations of both genders, and is organized by primary color of bird, so it's quite user friendly for a person who is newer to birds. I've got a copy and it's been great so far. |
|
|
|
03/22/2015 07:54:07 PM · #46 |
| Thanks for the tip Derek. I do already have that fine field guide. It has most if not all Colorado Birds, but as you probably are aware, there are many birds migrating through the region in April and May that may not be in the book. It was only last year that I became interested in photographing birds, so any resource is a good one for me at this point. I do love the iPhone app as it also has the songs to go with the descriptions. |
|
|
|
03/22/2015 09:12:57 PM · #47 |
| The Sibley eGuide App has an Android version as well, and it works on tablets as well as phones. I just downloaded the "Lite" (free) version from the Google Apps Store, and it's terrific. The full version costs $19.99, at least for Android. |
|
|
|
03/23/2015 01:58:37 AM · #48 |
Originally posted by Dennisheckman:
Thanks for the tip Derek. I do already have that fine field guide. It has most if not all Colorado Birds, but as you probably are aware, there are many birds migrating through the region in April and May that may not be in the book. It was only last year that I became interested in photographing birds, so any resource is a good one for me at this point. I do love the iPhone app as it also has the songs to go with the descriptions. |
Yes, indeed, that is very true. Wasn't sure what all you already had, and as a pretty inconsequential cost/size, it was a nobrainer to suggest. Agreed that the calls are very nice to have. Although, living in NW Colorado, the functionality of apps is hugely dependent upon your carrier, so for me it's only something I'd really use with wifi. |
|
|
|
03/25/2015 06:16:57 PM · #49 |
One more week to go, bump.
These apps require quite a bit of storage on the device - 400-700 Mb. Something to have in mind. |
|
|
|
03/25/2015 06:48:40 PM · #50 |
| I use iBird Pro and highly recommend it. Great search function to help you ID the bird, drawings, photos, and sounds. |
|
