Once a week or so I like to take a short detour on my way home from work and stop at my favorite little pond near Fort Huachuca billeting office.
I had the 600mm Sigma lens attached to my camera, so I was hoping to see some birds. I was not disappointed.
Almost as soon as I got out of the car, this little female Vermilion Flycatcher was sitting in a tree almost right in front of me, in pretty nice light. Off to a good start.
I then happened to look up behind the pond and there was a Red-tailed Hawk soaring above the hills. I’m not sure I’d say I ever got a really good shot, but it did eventually get a bit closer.
There was also a Turkey Vulture circling overheard.
I walked around the pond a little bit, then found a good spot to watch and see what showed up …
About the most interesting bird that showed up during the 20 minutes or so I was at the pond, was of course the one that I didn’t really get a great shot of.
If I was a real birder I would actually plan some trips to find birds that aren’t yet on my list. Apparently at Miller Canyon which is only like 10 miles from me, someone saw a Black-vented Oriole (normally only in Mexico). Maybe I’ll head over that way one morning this coming weekend.
But in the meantime, I still enjoy that I can make a short detour on my way home from work and get decent pictures of almost a dozen birds in 20 minutes.
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Great photos, Todd. Birding and bird photography requires a level of patience, skill, dexterity and interest in / knowledge of birds that I don't have and will never develop. I do admire the work of those who do have it, though.