Category Archives: Background

Canon SX60 and the Bald Eagle

Background, Year 4

For the past 7+ days it has been dark and dreary in northern Minnesota. In short, not a photography paradise. The low light and and clouds can depress a photographer. This morning while up on Old Vermilion Trail, I spied a bald eagle in a picturesque location. The resulting image given below shows the limitation of super zoom / bridge cameras like my SX60 in low light. For a flight shot, I set my exposure to 1/800 th of a second which given my small sensor forced a high, noisy ISO setting upon me (1,600). I am happy with the image as I know given my equipment, it was the best possible result. I also know that if I owned a DSLR with a long lens, my result would have been better.

I’ve reviewed my Canon SX-60 on this web site, and I like the camera, but like any piece of equipment it is good to understand its limitations. This camera allows me to easily hike into remote areas which would be impossible with a DSLR and a big, expensive lens. The price trade-off is nice  ($450 vs BIG MONEY)!

I have also included my recent Snowy Owl in flight photo. It demonstrates the difference in the quality of the output between good and poor light for a super zoom / bridge camera.

Bald Eagle: ISO = 1,600; Exposure = 1/800 of a second; Aperture = 6.5

Snowy Owl: ISO = 320; Exposure = 1/800 of a second; Aperture = 5.6

Birding 2016: It’s an eBird Wrap!

Background

This post provides 2016 eBird data for northern Minnesota, including instructions on how to use eBird even without an account. Living in Duluth I have easy access to the top birding sites in Northland. You’ll note from the eBird data that St. Louis and Lake Counties are two of the top four birding counties out of 87 total counties in Minnesota.

This post reviews the 2016 eBird results, and also provides instructions and links on how you might utilize this information, even without an eBird account. However, please consider using eBird which is sponsored by Cornell University Lab of Ornithology. They do nice work, and most of their services are provided without charge.

If you find after reviewing the information in this post, you would like direct access to eBird data, use these links: (for states other than Minnesota, use a Minnesota links and then change to your desired location)

January 2016 Sax-Zim Bog Bird Sightings Found Here

Click upon or press upon any image to view at full size!

2016 eBird Minnesota County Results (partial)

2016 eBird Minnesota Birding Hot Spots (partial) in St. Louis County

Hot Spot Bird Species List

Hot Spot Birding Visit Details

Good-Bye Pure Google!

Background

Pure Google Birding … alas, it is no more!

Four years ago I purchased a Google Nexus 10 tablet. I loved the “pure Google” platform w/o bloatware which also insured I received the latest Android operating system updates. This tablet went birding everywhere with me in northern Minnesota. My trips often took me off the grid deep into the boreal forest on unmarked logging roads. Thankfully my Google Nexus 10 had a gps chip, and by having downloaded Google Maps for offline use, even when off the grid and approaching remote dirt road intersections, I could figure out my location. Thus, when I spied some interesting new bird, not only did I know how to get home but had my birding apps to help with identification.

Yes, I originally  had cravings for a Google Pixel C, but their new tablet unlike the Nexus 10 no longer has a GPS chip. During my research I discovered that most “wifi only”(i.e. no cellular plan) tablets no longer have GPS chips . One of the few tablets with GPS is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (9.7 inch screen with 32 gb). This morning I found out that if you are willing to be “uncool” and order a “gold colored” tablet, the price is marked down from $499 to $385. Now it is quite possible that some New York City fashionista will track me down near the Canadian border in Minnesota and look down their nose at my non chic tablet color … who cares!

Given my years of being known by my nickname, The Northstar Nerd, I will need consolation from my readers during my time of mourning over the loss of pure Google! However, I will still be on the Android platform. Apple? Eh gads, no!

Seriously … if your travels while birding or photographing often take you off the grid, when purchasing your next tablet, check VERY carefully to insure that device has a GPS chip.

Good-Bye Pure Google
pure-google

On the weather front, the promised winter storm / blizzard appears to be starting to make itself known early this morning in Minnesota. Birding will be difficult today. Thus, in the meantime here is a pic from a few nights ago … a calm, warm night down on the Duluth waterfront. A classic ore boat is approaching the Duluth ship canal with the moon rising immediately behind the freighter.
kaye-barker-ore-boat-moon-3