Bohemian Waxwing

Gallery: AvianPosted December 7, 200510,801 views47 comments

I spent a VERY cold morning shooting a flock of 300+ bohemian waxwings and pine grosbeaks in northern NH this morning. They're one of the most enjoyable species to photograph. There's something about their behavior and the bitterly cold weather that I just love!

Taken under the usuall gray skies and light snow. Thanks for looking.

Canon 1D MII/600mm IS/550EX

1/320 sec, f/5.6
Exp comp: -1/3
ISO: 400
Flash exp comp: -2 2/3

Comments

47 comments

Comment posted by Josh Anderson on December 7, 2005 at 2:18 PM

An absolute beautiful bird and Image. Nice work, Garth.

Registered on June 2, 2005, 493 Posts, 2996 Comments

Comment posted by Krijn Trimbos on December 7, 2005 at 2:23 PM

Pffffffff, of course absolutely beautifull!!!

Great shot!!!

Registered on October 18, 2005, 260 Posts, 2979 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Steele on December 7, 2005 at 2:27 PM

You already know I love this!!!! The natural highlight is good enough, clone out the flash dot...

Registered on November 1, 2003, 354 Posts, 13896 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on December 7, 2005 at 2:42 PM

My oh my, what a gorgeous shot. Love those colors in the background.

If you really love the bitterly cold weather, you'd love it here this month. I agree though...there's something about it. At least around here, behavior definitely changes in the extreme cold, and from a photography standpoint, it's usually easier for shooting birds because the birds simply don't want to move as much.

Can't get within 20 yards of a horned lark or lapland longspur around here...unless it's snowing and very cold.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Juza on December 7, 2005 at 2:58 PM

Garth,
I think this is the best photo that I have ever seen of this species

Registered on November 1, 2003, 374 Posts, 10466 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Royse on December 7, 2005 at 3:05 PM

Absolutely terrific!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 218 Posts, 2427 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on December 7, 2005 at 3:12 PM

That's really excellent Garth! The colors in the background are beautiful.

Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Lusk on December 7, 2005 at 3:21 PM

WOW!

Registered on September 17, 2005, 312 Posts, 600 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Thompson on December 7, 2005 at 3:22 PM

As good as it gets Garth. Very nice!

Registered on March 15, 2005, 114 Posts, 2639 Comments

Comment posted by Rajan Desai on December 7, 2005 at 3:25 PM

WOW! One of the most beautiful shots of this bird I have seen so far.

Registered on March 25, 2005, 32 Posts, 395 Comments

Comment posted by Kenneth Roine on December 7, 2005 at 3:30 PM

Stunning, the colors of the bird and the natural surroundings make this a superb image.
Congratulations
Ken

Registered on September 30, 2005, 14 Posts, 19 Comments

Comment posted by Andres M. Domingue on December 7, 2005 at 3:49 PM

Impressive image, great photography...Genial,

Registered on October 29, 2005, 43 Posts, 181 Comments

Comment posted by Drew Fulton on December 7, 2005 at 4:02 PM

Garth, your killing me. I am sitting here writing papers and preparing for exams and you are out shooting winter birds. Birds I have never seen, much less photographed. Great image. I have some free time next week if you want to get together before I head south. I'll drop you an email.

Drew

Registered on November 1, 2003, 43 Posts, 357 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on December 7, 2005 at 4:10 PM

Indeed the best Waxwing I have seen anywhere! Wow!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Harrison on December 7, 2005 at 4:19 PM

Stunning shot Garth. The colors and detail are fantastic.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 468 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Garber on December 7, 2005 at 5:19 PM

Perfect! + what everyone else said

Registered on November 17, 2003, 704 Posts, 3535 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Fusco on December 7, 2005 at 5:31 PM

- Paul

Registered on November 17, 2003, 283 Posts, 1163 Comments

Comment posted by Steven Bein on December 7, 2005 at 6:07 PM

ditto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Registered on November 12, 2003, 230 Posts, 209 Comments

Comment posted by Jay Martin on December 7, 2005 at 6:13 PM

WOW!! Sweet shot!!

Registered on December 6, 2005, 200 Posts, 2209 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zipp on December 7, 2005 at 6:22 PM

Hey Garth, Nothing to add!!!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 86 Posts, 940 Comments

Comment posted by chris hajee on December 7, 2005 at 6:30 PM

beautiful Garth

Registered on January 18, 2005, 179 Posts, 2384 Comments

Comment posted by richard ettlinger on December 7, 2005 at 7:37 PM

KILLER shot of a Waxwing! BEST I'VE SEEN to date!!

Registered on June 17, 2004, 377 Posts, 1565 Comments

Comment posted by Kenneth Kijewski on December 7, 2005 at 8:27 PM

WOW

Registered on February 17, 2004, 166 Posts, 3390 Comments

Comment posted by Brian E. Small on December 7, 2005 at 8:42 PM

Fantastic Garth!! Agree with Bob about cloning the extra catch from the flash............it's not needed.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 147 Posts, 933 Comments

Comment posted by Lee Daniels on December 7, 2005 at 9:46 PM

Hyperventilating here...

Registered on December 31, 2003, 115 Posts, 1657 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on December 7, 2005 at 10:15 PM

What everyone said, Garth.....fantastic!!

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 7, 2005 at 10:32 PM

Stunning!

Well done, again.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Steele on December 7, 2005 at 11:19 PM

Just remember, you ain't eligible for Editor's Pick.

But you and I can pick the winner this weekend.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 354 Posts, 13896 Comments

Comment posted by PhilH on December 8, 2005 at 3:39 AM

Awesome

Registered on December 31, 2004, 51 Posts, 281 Comments

Comment posted by Colin Smale on December 8, 2005 at 4:55 AM

Delicious.

Registered on November 10, 2003, 48 Posts, 1158 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Miller on December 8, 2005 at 9:24 AM

Just wonderful!! Superb image!!

Registered on December 15, 2003, 44 Posts, 368 Comments

Comment posted by Dick Cronberg on December 8, 2005 at 1:04 PM

Garth,
I've spent a few winters in New England myself and I really wonder about your sanity!!! I guess you do what you have to do to get the shot. Man, this is incredible! The best I've seen!

Dick Cronberg
Oregon

Registered on March 21, 2005, 158 Posts, 594 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Danzenbaker on December 8, 2005 at 2:09 PM

Garth,

I feel a little superfluous adding my

on top of the 33 others you've already received, but I'm doing it anyway.

I probably wouldn't have been able to remain calm in this shooting situation, and would have produced a bunch of blurry frames.

Really reaching for something - I wouldn't mind a little more room all around.

Registered on December 2, 2003, 40 Posts, 791 Comments

Comment posted by Helge Sorensen on December 8, 2005 at 3:47 PM

As if you need more comments here, Garth

But hey for somebody who has taken his fair share of Waxwing-shots I must say this is one of the best I have seen. The all red BG really makes it different

Registered on November 1, 2003, 186 Posts, 1526 Comments

Comment posted by Dusty Veideman on December 8, 2005 at 4:02 PM

Absolutely Stunning!!!!Congrats!
Dusty V

Registered on November 1, 2003, 295 Posts, 547 Comments

Comment posted by Fran Saunders on December 9, 2005 at 4:30 PM

Wow, is all I can say. This is a a rare bird where I am (MD), but we could never get such wonderful shots. Kudos!

Registered on November 20, 2005, 6 Posts, 66 Comments

Comment posted by Rod Gilbert on December 11, 2005 at 9:29 AM

Garth, this is the nicest waxwing I've ever seen! Killer shot!

Rod

Registered on October 10, 2004, 45 Posts, 268 Comments

Comment posted by Al Andersen on May 2, 2006 at 11:29 AM

Superb image, Garth! Wonderful detail and colors on the bird. The background is exceptional!

Registered on March 6, 2005, 14 Posts, 142 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Jones on May 2, 2006 at 12:32 PM

WOW

Garth, this for me can only be described as incredible.

This is simply a shot of this species I could only dream of getting

Outstanding

Registered on July 24, 2005, 91 Posts, 102 Comments

Comment posted by Christine Adams on July 18, 2006 at 8:12 PM

Hi Garth! I'm looking back on older images and noticed this one and it is absolutely beautiful!! Great job!! Where abouts in northern NH?

Registered on January 24, 2006, 119 Posts, 1871 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 29, 2006 at 2:54 AM

! Just wonderful!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by David Weber on November 1, 2006 at 5:06 PM

Congrats, Garth! This masterpiece truly deserves being featured on the front page of NP online!

Registered on February 7, 2005, 296 Posts, 2737 Comments

Comment posted by Reno DiTullio on November 8, 2006 at 9:14 PM

Absolutely beautiful image, Garth

Registered on November 14, 2003, 130 Posts, 1644 Comments

Comment posted by Jose Suro on November 8, 2006 at 9:30 PM

A once in a lifetime image. Outstanding!!

Jose

Registered on June 24, 2006, 267 Posts, 2273 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Jones on November 9, 2006 at 3:56 PM

Amazing in everyway, very inspiring & a real pleasure to view.

This is one species I would love to get a shot at

Registered on July 24, 2005, 91 Posts, 102 Comments

Comment posted by Henie Reisinger on February 12, 2007 at 3:01 PM

Garth...

Just WOW!

~Henie~

Registered on January 28, 2007, 188 Posts, 476 Comments

Comment posted by Christina Craft on March 7, 2007 at 5:29 PM

This image reminds me of Christmas. We get Cedar Waxwings for a short period of time in and around Victoria and I've only had the pleasure to photograph them once. This is a stunning capture.

Registered on March 4, 2007, 75 Posts, 201 Comments