Discussion on "Practice Understanding Birds for Better Photos": Did your sightings surprise you? How do you think the research you did might help inform your photography? I was already somewhat familiar with American Coots but was surprised to see them cross a busy trail, leaving the freshwater Adobe Creek habitat (in the Palo Alto Flood Control Basin) to get to the salt-water Charleston Slough (Santa Clara County, California).  They ran across the trail the same way they run on water before taking off in flight.  I reviewed Melissa Groo's six areas (habitat, food, season, behaviors, sounds, migratory) using allaboutbirds.org.  Many of the Coots in each habitat were foraging in the mud but I don't know if they were finding the same food in each habitat.  In the future I will trying to photograph what they are eating.  Doing some research is very helpful.

Decided to focus on the Inca Dove that we have here in southern Louisiana, at the eastern edge of its distribution.  I read that it typically likes to feed on the ground, which is where I typically see them feeding.  One or more though feed on the bird feeder at times. One of the pictures shows it sitting on top of the feeder. It then slides down the roof of the feeder and  tries to jump on the platform of the feeder on its way down.  Doesn't always work, but at times it does.  Guess the lesson is to be prepared to see your target bird outside of its typical habitat.

My dad and I went to look for the continuing White Winged Scoter off the Huntington Beach Pier, near where I live in Irvine, California. This female was associating with 80 or so surf scoters. Periodically, a group of scoters (including the white wing) would dive near the pillars holding up the pier, probably to feed on the mussels under the water. 

I went to look for a Ridgway's Rail, and to my surprise, I actually found one. I went out at low tide, and this one was taking advantage of the exposed mudflats to search for bits of food.

I photographed this Red-Bellied Woodpecker in my yard. I had tried previously to find one on a trail, and had no luck. So knowing I sometimes see them at my feeder, I got up early and waited. Luckily I got to see one! It was hopping around a Popcorn tree picking the seeds and hiding them in crevices.

These are a few shots of a Superb Lyrebird in the Dandenong Ranges not too far from home in Melbourne, Australia. These birds tend to be shy and difficult to spot. Getting close can be an issue! This male crossed a track just in front of me and stopped a few metres into the scrub, started to sing and display. Magical to listen to the variety of calls and watch the display.

I have only seen a brown creeper a few times. Happened on this one high in a tree and was intrigued by the particular shape of his beak and his habits. I found out his particular foraging method is to glean for insects in crevices of bark which he is actually doing in one photo.  Another aspect that I found interesting is that they nest in mature forests and build their nest under loose bark. They are challenging to photograph as their  particular feather pattern seems less than sharp in photos. That speaks to their camouflage abilities. Given their diet of insects I was surprised to see they actually can be found in winter in Quebec as I would have thought they would head south where insects would be more plentiful. Research has taught me a little more to keep looking for them in winter and to be aware of their nesting habits come the spring.

I was reading about crested caracara after learning other birders have seen them in agricultural lands about an hour away from where I live in Tucson Arizona. I looked at photos which helped me first realize I was in the area of the birds when I saw one fly over. It was about 2 hours later when I finally found an area where they were feeding. Very exciting and thanks to research and hearing from other birders I was motivated to drive those dirt roads!

I was looking for Mountain Bluebirds in Yellowstone National Park (it's an hour from where I live) and was having no luck despite visiting areas where they normally hangout, so I decided to park in a pullout near Yellowstone Lake to take a mid afternoon nap; was tired from a very early start that day. As I closed my eyes I saw something fly by out of the corner of my eye, and lo and behold it was a Mountain Bluebird! Research, persistence, and a bit of luck helped me get this photo.

I discovered these wood storks (mycteria americana) in Naples, Florida, recently, while taking mid-afternoon walks around my mother's retirement community. I often see egrets and herons and was so surprised to see wood storks among them wading and feeding in the marsh waters just steps away from the walking path. I have only seen wood storks from afar and they really look different when flying through the air. I was glad to have had my iphone with me, but next time I visit my mother in Florida, I will plan to have a "real" camera with me and take more time to observe them. Here at home, in Virginia, I look forward to setting up a birdfeeder and watching what birds arrive. I often see pileated woodpeckers in the trees above our house during the morning "golden" hours but a normal lens just doesn't reach them like a telephone lens would.  I wonder if there is a way to take a photo through binoculars.... :)

I often see flocks of Golden-Crowned Kinglets in small water features, like ponds or drainages. The rest of the time they are high up in trees and hard to photograph. I was surprised that this little one was alone and did not seem at all bothered by my presence. The research I did for this assignment helped me narrow down the likely hood of seeing a kinglet at this particular pond, and when. I also learned that these are fascinating little birds that are active even in very cold climates (ie winter in Maine). This was surprising because they are so tiny. Now that I know this I am excited to try and photograph them in snow, especially once I purchase a fancier camera.

I have lots of Chickadees at my feeders. Through research, I’ve come to learn that each bird will hide tens of thousands of seeds in hiding spots for the winter months. They remember each one. Now I notice them checking under roofing tiles, in little nooks and crannies for places to hide their seeds. 

I went into our local woods for this and there was a bunch of activity, there were a lot of winter visitors in North Carolina, such as White throated sparrows, Yellow bellied sapsuckers, Bufflehead, and a Ruddy duck. I have never before seen a ruddy duck in the lake, but today must have been different! There was a lone immature or female swimming around , and I managed to get some pretty close shots. these are mainly dark because the bird was in the shadows, which is tough to get good shots. These where both taken by a Cannon Rebel T6 with a Tamron 300mm lens

I have found that by waiting and watching the light on the subject is really important for a good photo if possible. Light will determine a good photo to being a great photo. I had taking numerous photos of these Evening Grobeaks the best ones were the shots of the eye being lit by the natural light. 

I have been observing a pair of White Breasted Nuthatches in our yard and at our feeders for going on 3 years now. The first year they were extremely timid and came nowhere near me and I kept a respectful distance from them.  This year was a breakthrough year since they decided to nest in a bird box on the side of our garden shed.  They worked diligently at nest building, tending and feeding their young.  What surprised me the most was that they were able to teach me how to coexist peacefully while they raised their young.  When bringing food to the nest they would sit on top of shed to check out the surroundings and if I was too close they would begin their little honking all expressing annoyance/alarm. My job was to break eye contact turn from them and walk away. Over time they became more and more tolerant of my presence and proximity as long as  broke eye contact. Throughout late summer the family of four has maintained a presence in our yard and is almost as bold as the Black Capped Chickadees when they come to the feeders. I am able to stand fairy close and get some reasonably good photos. What I've learned is that given time birds will learn to trust you in their territory. It might actually take several seasons for this to happen.

I choose to monitor one of the very common bird in my area, which visits almost everyday on my terrace, Common pigeon ( Columba livia, Order: Columbiforms). Eventhough, I see this bird daily, I have never noticed it carefully. I always run behind the rare birds, as most of the birdwatchers,  but never consider observing this common bird in around my home. Hence, I decided to follow Melissa and do some research on this common pigeon. Habitat: common and widespread resident urban bird, commonly found in temples, farm, villages and towns. Altitudinal range 75- 4200m. Food : cultivated food mainly seeds also green shoots Nesting and breeding: It generally nests in holes, rock crevices and ruined walls. They breed throughout the year. Distinctive behaviour: they live in large flocks and their flight in the flock is spectacular to watch, following a certain pattern. This bluish Grey bird has glistering metallic green, purple and magenta sheen on neck and upper breast which shines gloriously in sun. Sound : goootr-goo ... communicate each other Migration : resident bird After this information on hand, I started observing the common pigeon. I observed that they were not comfortable with my camera, as they fly as soon as they see my camera. it took me couple of days of observation to take this picture. The pigeon was sun basking in the first sun in this winter morning. I observed grooming and scratching the feathers. He was sun basking as well as checking me from time to time. Finally, seems like he has no problem from my presence. I learned to be patient and  more observant, thereby respecting their space from this exercise. thank you pc : sorry for the photos as they are not real crash hot, as I was using 28- 300mm lens Nikon D600.

I have been monitoring Common Loons for the Vermont Center for Ecostudies several years at two very different lake communities. What I noticed most this year while monitoring a Loon pair on a remote, more natural setting was the increased fear/caution response to humans. The previous lake was much more populated with 3+x the development and human/boat activity. It was a true example of city versus country Loon behavior. On the busier lake I became known by the resident pair over the years(maybe they recognized my kayak). It is as if they knew I was helping to protect them yet they were also used to the human activity. As I placed the floating raft signage in the spring, which warns people to keep away during nesting season, the Loons swam near by. As I checked on them weekly with active nest incubation I knew the respectful distance and was able to photograph the activity. Not so on the more remote location lake of the same acreage yet less than a 3rd of the development and fewer motorized boats. I carefully monitored the nest from a very safe and respectful distance, however the parent on the nest would lay low on the nest aware and afraid of my presence...it slid into the water. I was horrified that I was the cause of the departure. Never anything I would have wanted to do. This was a different culture and experience for sure. I watched from my property on the lake as others approached the cove unaware of the nest and I am sure the same departure by the nesting parent. These loons need much more space and respect. The nest failed 2 attempts in 2020 and as I have learned that it has failed for several years. Now that I am new to this lake and monitoring the resident pair I have have suggested changes in access to the cove during breeding/nesting season. Historically no signage was placed because it was thought human activity was so low and it was a much more organic approach to Loon habitation, however kayakers were aiding in the failed nesting seasons. As they paddled nearby, the parents abandoned the nest and predators took the eggs. I was completely aware and the parent left the nest when I approached at a distance to monitor and photograph so it had to be so when those unknowingly approached. This was a very clear experience with difference in location/habitat and behavior of local animals. As animals of a certain species are very similar they are different in as many ways. Melissa, your experience with the Belted Kingfisher Nest was a perfect example and hits home with my experiences too. Thank you for sharing! They are such an elusive, beautiful bird.    

I learned how Black-billed Magpies use their tails to maintain balance.  They are absolutely crazy about peanuts, and emptied the feed in less than 5 minutes.  They come rocketing in and use their tails at the last minute to stop when they land directly on the feeder.  The research made me think about how the tall grass will obscure them while they are ground feeding, so I photographed them from my second-floor window.

saw this at my feeder and watched it for a while, the took out my camera at a safe distance. I love the way that the White breasted nuthatch can feed upside-down!

I

Birding at Nisqually NRW this Great Blue Heron was fishing along the pier. I sat sat a safe distance while this beautiful bird ate this fish.

Walking in a field late June when I saw a mother feeding her young on a barbed-wire fence.  Time and again she swooped over the field & pond & quickly returned with insects.  This continued for a very long time and they seemed to be totally unaware of my presence and the pictures I was taking of them.   August is their peak migration time.