Thursday, April 08, 2010

nothing to do with Bambi

We have talked about always having the camera handy. This spot is very close to where I saw the Sharp-shinned hawk. Well, I was driving along to work one morning, and noticed something about the size of a robin, with coloring similar to a dove. I didn't recognize it, so I went in for a closer look. This here is a Killdeer plover. Supposedly, "kill deer" is the sound it makes when it flies away, but I never got to hear that cry.

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How I did it: Animals don't seem to fear cars as badly as people, so I drove into position and stayed in the car. Providentially, this was only a few yards away from an empty parking lot. With the window rolled halfway down, I turned off the engine and zoomed all the way in. Snap, snappity-snap, and away I went. Yes, I still made it to work on time.

12 comments:

mommanator said...

what a beauty!

EG CameraGirl said...

GREAT photo, Craver. I have never been this close...although I have tried. I have a lot of kill-deer, kill-deer, kill-deer. And I have seen tons of fast getaways.

Gaelyn said...

It's amazing how many pics I take from inside my truck. That's the only reason I keep the windows clean. Nice capture you sneaky guy.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

You have certainly learnt to be as sneaky as I am Craver!! :) Great shots.

Here we have one kind of buck who for some reason always joins another species, maybe a protection thing. Anyway, unless you look closely and are aware of this, you would not notice her as she blend in perfectly with the others, juts like the Plover with the Doves.

Craver Vii said...

I agree Mommanator. It sure is a pretty thing.

Hey EG, wanna borrow my car? ;-)

There's "regular" clean, and there's "invisible for the sake of photo opps" clean. Gaelyn, this morning I tried a few shots of birds at the feeder through "regular" clean. (sigh) I'll have to clean them properly tonight.

I am finding that there are three disciplines to taking nature shots, Joan. And I'm sure you know this better than me, but they are: 1) not disturbing the environment (being sneaky), 2) being patient and 3) do not hesitate to seize opportunities, or strike while the iron is hot. For that reason (the last one), I like to give myself a little extra time when I am driving somewhere. I suppose people naturally gravitate to one or two of these, but I'm experimenting with the challenge of trying to balance all three.

imac said...

What a beauty, and well captured my friend, also not being late for work, I guess you;re one of these peeps who set out for work 20 mins early(just in case .lol.)

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Craver: The Killdeer is a beautiful bird and I should see them soon near the water.

happyone said...

I'll have to try that. It sure worked great for you.

Craver Vii said...

Oh Imac, I like to get to work reeeealy early. I can have a cup of decaf coffee while responding to personal emails, and when starting time comes around, I'm ready to go.

Yes Fishing Guy, and gracious too, for letting me get this close and take a picture.

Cool Happyone! Let me know how that goes for you, okay?

George said...

I'm going to have to remember your technique. You certainly got a great picture by staying in the car.

lime said...

well done! "kildeer" is its cry? how positively homicidal!

rental mobil murah said...

Really nice photo of the cardinal. Also, great point about appreciating areas of land that have been preserved.