Tag Archives: Bicycle Birding

Red-Shoulder Hawk Bicycle Birding

Year 9,

I often mention I always take my Canon Sx-70 Super Zoom Bridge Camera on my almost daily bicycle rides. Yesterday was no exception, and while on over 95% of my rides I never see anything that warrants interrupting my exercise, yesterday was the exception (read more about my bicycle birding setup). In fact about the only time I do not have a camera with me is while I am cross-country skiing (unless wearing a GoPro). Normally while skiing hard I definitely do NOT want to be encumbered with any backpacks or hip bags. A super zoom camera makes for an excellent choice for bringing equipment along. If not in a car, the light weight and small size is a great advantage; yet one still has reach given the zoom lens.

Anyhow back to yesterday’s ride … it was late afternoon with perfect light when as I approached the end of my route I noticed a Red-Shouldered Hawk looking for dinner. The raptor was amazingly docile in terms of letting me watch its hunt. In the first set of images, I had noticed the pine tree in the background with blue sky gaps … the perfect backdrop for my photos. Enjoy.

I normally do not like to take photographs of birds on power lines, but these conditions demonstrated there are no hard and fast rules. More Red-Shouldered Hawk.

The Well Dressed Bicycle Birder at 35F

Background, Year 6,

Some of you may remember my post from this past winter … The Well Dressed Birder at at -13F. In the same public interest spirit, here is an updated version for slightly warmer weather … The Well Dressed Bicycle Birder at 35F! This post builds upon Dry Eyes and Birding Post of earlier today.

Today’s weather is ugly, but at least during my ride the snow flurries had tapered off. The wind is still blowing in hard off Lake Superior. The waves and white caps were impressive. In terms of my goggles, my eyes were never cold and zero wind reached within to cause me vision issues. The windchill during today’s ride when I was cycling into the wind was around 15F. To get more background on how these goggles are helpful for both the cyclist and birder with dry eyes, read my other post from today. I have more non cycling and dry eye tips in that post.

The Well Dressed Bicycle Birder (with goggles)

The Well Dressed Bicycle Birder (with face shield … which I did NOT use today)

The Face Shield (good in warmer weather … lets in too much cold and wind on a day like today … attaches to bike helmet via the three magnets shown)

Birding by Bicycle: Horned Lark!

Year 4,

Yesterday I added a new trusty mount to my herd, a mountain bike. This new bicycle will not often be used for trail riding. Instead I plan on biking the numerous remote wilderness logging roads found throughout northeastern Minnesota. Although I can reach all of these areas via my Subaru Outback and then hike, the bike allows me to quietly cover much more territory while getting some nice exercise.

This is my second bike which may now equipped for bicycle birding. My road touring bike, aside from taking me all over North America with Molly on self-supported bike tours, doubles as a birding road bicycle.

My biking kit is pretty basic but includes:

  • front handlebar bag capable my Canon SX-60 super zoom bridge camera
  • tire change kit
  • phone and wallet
  • light cycling jacket

In addition, I always have my monopod attached to the bike. When you are in the middle of a 20 mile ride, upon getting off one’s bicycle because of heavy breathing (remember, this is exercise) it is hard to hold a “zoomed camera” very steady. Try giving birding by bicycle a try! (see prior post with a similar them … shows closeup of my equipment)

The Horned Lark I photographed this morning

Birding Bicycle #1: Mountain Bike used for riding dirt logging roads. I also used this bike to explore some remote lakes. Six hours later I would return by car to photograph the Northern Lights display! (good to see areas in the daytime first)

Birding Bicycle #2: Touring Bike used for riding paved roads