Another Big Month - DPChallenge Forums

03/28/2013 10:07:19 AM · #1

Last April several of us participated in a Big Month challenge where we set out to photograph as many unique species of birds during the month of April as we could find. You can see the thread here: //www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=1137471

During that challenge, I learned two things. First, my bird identification skills were woeful (but that didn't matter because there were several knowledgeable participants who were very generous about sharing their skills). Second, photographing birds, and birding in general, is challenging but also a ton of fun! In fact, I had so much fun that I signed up for a field ornithology course this spring so that I could improve my bird identification skills. We've just started the course, but I'd like to have another outlet for practicing what I learn.

So, would anyone be up for another Big Month side challenge this April? Just like last year, any and all skill levels would be welcome. Post to this thread if you'd like to join in.

Members:

eqsite

hahn23

cynthiann

patches

gcoulson (c'mon - you know you want to)

Abra

ancientimages

jomari

Stagolee

mariahdc

hajeka

nygold

Basta

KarenNfld

PapaBob

scooter97

Message edited by author 2013-03-31 21:38:38.

hahn23

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Lens

03/28/2013 10:11:47 AM · #2

I'm in. I learned a lot about birds last year. Made some enduring friendships, too. It was a positive experience! I'm heading out to photograph some of the migratory birds on the lake this morning.

cynthiann

Nikon D810

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

03/28/2013 10:53:39 AM · #3

Yay! I'm in.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

03/28/2013 12:28:50 PM · #4

Sign me up!!

03/28/2013 12:40:28 PM · #5

Great start! Who else is in?

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

03/28/2013 01:17:08 PM · #6

Sign me up!!

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

03/28/2013 01:32:54 PM · #7

Originally posted by Enlightened:

Sign me up!!

I did ;-)

Dr.Confuser

Nikon D800

03/28/2013 07:37:19 PM · #8

Never mind ... I misread it as "Big MOUTH." I'm out.

patches

Nikon D7200

Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD for Nikon

03/28/2013 07:50:48 PM · #9

I'm in - really enjoyed myself last year!

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

03/28/2013 09:19:54 PM · #10

Originally posted by eqsite:

Originally posted by Enlightened:
Sign me up!!

I did ;-)

Lol! Double post!!! Maybe I'll enter some birds twice then!!

Garry

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/28/2013 09:23:07 PM · #11

Not sure I'll participate much since I don't know the difference between a duck and a parrot, but will be following this thread with interest!

Abra

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/28/2013 09:37:50 PM · #12

I'd like to play too as I enjoy trying to capture birds but really know nothing about them.

pmichaud

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/28/2013 10:04:06 PM · #13

i'll join in...

jomari

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

03/29/2013 12:23:50 AM · #14

I'll join in again.

Stagolee

Kodak Easyshare C180

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

03/29/2013 12:42:38 AM · #15

I didn't do this last year but would love to do it this year....although Australian bird ID can be very difficult.

mariahdc

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

03/29/2013 12:53:30 AM · #16

I'd like to join...

Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM

03/29/2013 08:37:32 AM · #17

This is a great turnout so far! For anyone that's on the fence because they are worried about not being able to ID their birds, don't let that stop you. 1/2 the fun I had last year was learning some of he basics of bird ID, and it didn't matter that I got it wrong most of the time. You'll get plenty of help along the way.

Message edited by author 2013-03-29 08:37:53.

hajeka

Canon EOS R5

03/29/2013 08:39:52 AM · #18

I liked it last year, so I'll give it another try.

nygold

Nikon D5000

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G

03/29/2013 08:44:07 AM · #19

I'll give it a go there have been some cool birds behind my house.
I've seen Lesser scaup, mallards, buffleheads, red-breasted mergansers, brants and mute swans.
All they have to do is stick around for a few more days.
If I can find the time to get into the bay I have a good shot at some harlequin and long tailed (oldsquaw).
As far as the Long tailed, harlequin, and the buffleheads go these are going to be VERY difficult to shoot with only a 200. They are super skittish.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G

03/29/2013 08:53:05 AM · #20

Hopefully some of those are on their way up to me. I did see a bunch of mergansers, both common and hooded, as well as a bufflehead last weekend. I didn't even know there was such a bird before then.

nygold

Nikon D5000

03/29/2013 10:07:22 AM · #21

Anyone ever see a bird that they couldn't identify?
About 15 years ago I had a duck in the canal behind my house.
I took a few shots and went to my bird books with no luck then off the the internet and still
couldn't find this duck. I was starting to lean towards some kind of hybrid but it just looked to neat.
It looked like it could have been some kind of Mallard mix but smaller.
So I sent the picture to I guy named Don Crockett for Virtual birder 2.0 and he identified it as a male Chestnut Teal. I live in Brooklyn and the Chestnut teal is from southern Australia.
That's quite a trip.:) Mr. Crockett said it most likely an escaped from a zoo. Either way it was a pretty cool bird to add to my list. We get some birds that stray too far north or south for instance we had a bunch of pelicans a few years back Brown & white. One spring I even saw a puffin but to see something form Australia is mind blowing.
Did anyone else ever have a situation like this?
Here is a shot of a Chestnut teal from wikipedia.

hahn23

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Lens

03/29/2013 01:04:53 PM · #22

There are several ways to facilitate participation in this side challenge. My method is to create a new collection within my Portfolio. I've titled it "Birds 2013". I have uploaded an image from yesterday into Birds 2013. (Not to count during the April challenge.)
Then, it's easy to take the image ID# and enter it into the "Insert Thumbnail Link to Site Image" dialogue box, which comes up when you click on that thumbnail icon.

Like so:

Redhead, Aythya americana, Lake Estes, Estes Park, CO. Adult, male, breeding.

Please note that this side challenge is not necessarily about displaying prize winning photos. It's about photos good enough to identify the species. How many bird species can you document with an image captured in April.

Message edited by author 2013-03-29 13:05:36.

mariahdc

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

03/29/2013 01:16:25 PM · #23

So do they have to be taken during a certain timeframe like other challenges? I have very recent shots that are great.... Taken in March. Or is there a start and end date?

Thanks - I'm new to these side challenges. :)

hahn23

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Lens

03/29/2013 01:19:36 PM · #24

Originally posted by mariahdc:

My opinion: Images captured in April, 2013. The reason is to get us outside taking photos. No reason to dig through the old archives.