Sunday, January 18, 2015

More Northern Pintails

I headed down to the Lake Mattamuskeet area yesterday to see what was around and do some scouting of a nearby area.  I am already looking ahead for new places come spring.  Saturday is not really the day to go but the weather was going to be fairly nice and with gas prices low, it seemed like a good way to spend the day.








I took so many photos I am going to break them into separate post so this one I will focus on the Pintails.  They were quite phenomenal today.  Constant take offs and landings meant there was always something to watch.  A pair of Northern Harriers steadily buzzed the marsh causing large groups of the Northern Pintails to take off, circle and land again.








It was a good time to practice flight shots.  I have gotten out of practice and that is what it takes.  The light was a bit better today than it was in early winter but is still takes practice to capture the shot when the light optimally captures the details of the birds.   I played with the background a bit on this photo.



4 comments:

Unknown said...

Paula - I was there too! We went to Mattamuskeet on Friday - stayed in Washington on Friday night and went to Pungo early on Saturday morning. Then we went to Mattamuskeet again and ended up back at Pungo in late afternoon. Wish I knew you were there - we could have said "hey"!! I, too, have lots of pics too and we probably are going to have some similar ones. I love your Northern Pintail photos today.

Nature Girl said...

Dang! It was a last minute decision to go. I may have passed you somewhere and not even known it. I didn't let any grass grow under my feet. I was going over to Pungo but went to explore the Gull Rock Game Land out the back gate. This should be an excellent area come spring. There were lots of young eagles over there. Thanks on the Pintails. Look forward to seeing you shots.

Coppertop said...

Bummer you and Gladys didn't meet up!
I love your pintail photos Paula. what a pretty duck! I especially like how you blurred the background in that last photo.

Nature Girl said...

Thanks Liz. Sorry it has taken so long to respond. I haven't been taking much time on the computer. Yeah, I hate I didn't know she was there. I was just sort of playing around with the background. It sort of gives the feeling of speed I think.