Bird Photography by Bicycle

May 18, 2014BackgroundBicycle Birding, Birding Know How, MN South: Minneapolisrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Bicycling, birding and photography are a great combination. Yesterday I took a 24 mile ride on the Luce Line Trail. This rails to trails route which starts in the western suburbs of Minneapolis and proceeds into the rural countryside allows one to get some great exercise and also access areas not reachable by car. While one certainly may walk your local trails, when on a bicycle the birding photographer may quickly ride between prime habitat locations, and then either slow down or dismount for birding. By keeping a good lookout which in transit, unexpected sights will often present themselves.

My setup for birding photography is simple. I have a handlebar bag where my camera is stored for easy access. In addition I have a monopod lashed to rear bag for stabilizing my camera during long distance zoomed shots.

Here are a few photos from my Luce Line Trail bike ride. Please realize songbirds are just starting to migrate into the area. Photographic opportunities are yet a bit thin this spring.

View this project’s Flickr photo stream. (click upon image to view at full size)

Some of my equipment

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Yellow-Rumped Warbler

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Yellow-Warbler

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Baltimore Oriole

Day 116: Bird Color in the Afternoon

May 18, 2014Year 1MN North: Amity, MN North: Western Waterfront Trailrichardhoeg@gmail.com

After the long winter up here in the Northland, it is nice to finally see some color. Thus, I decided a second post was required for today. The woodland song birds are really starting to migrate into the area!

View this project’s Flickr photo stream. (click upon image to view at full size)

It doesn’t look like a bird! (Rose-Breasted Grosbeak)

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Purple Finch on Fire

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Baltimore Oriole singing out for a mate

Day 116: Smelt for Breakfast Anyone?

May 18, 2014BackgroundMN North: Duluth Waterfront, MN North: Mouth of the Lester Riverrichardhoeg@gmail.com

One of the goals of a 365 day photography project is by working with the requirement to take a photograph every day, it forces the photographer beyond their comfort zone. Before this project, I would never have been able to capture this picture of two seagulls eating breakfast. While on the surface this photograph may not seem too amazing, it was actually taken 15 minutes before dawn with clouds on the horizon (i.e. meant even less light for photography). Without hesitation, I scaled up my ISO such that I could increase the shutter speed of my camera. Thus, I was able to “stop action” this moment. Pretty cool! Oh yeah, I also just like the photograph taken during the “blue hour“.

Eventually the sun came out, and around 8 am I had a fun time watching these fox kits and their mom. It was a great morning! The fox kits were rambunctious, perhaps a bit to crazy for Mrs. Fox!