TonyQ Big Year 2018 (The Third)

[TonyQ]

@Galana Thank you. I can see what you mean about the wing pattern The other pictures I have of this bird are from the same sort of angle, so don't really add anything. The wing markings do look like they could be juvenile Tawny Eagle (already posted so no bonus!)

@Peter Connan @Tdgraves @xelas thank you. I just checked - I reached 200 on November 7th last year.

It does show the advantage of an early trip to the tropics.

The rate will slow down now!

[lmSA84]

@TonyQ - lovely garden photography. I’m trying to do the same without achieving such good results.

 

Great to see a Brambling! All the guide books claim that it’s not a scarce bird but I’ve never seen it! 

[TonyQ]

@lmSA84 Thank you

We do well for a small urban garden. Over the years we have seen 32 species.

The bushes in the photos get morning sun. Lots of birds land on these before and after visiting our feeders and water. All photos are taken through double glazed patio doors! If we move slowly, most birds ignore us. Watching them is a real pleasure.

[Galana]

3 hours ago, TonyQ said:

The wing markings do look like they could be juvenile Tawny Eagle (already posted so no bonus!)

I was thinking more of a dark phase Wahlberg's. It just does not look like a Kite to me.

Whatever you decide.

[TonyQ]

@Galana

I agree with you suggestion. The nostrils are different on the Tawny Eagle (long, vertical oblong shape) and the Wahlberg's Eagle (round). The bird in the photo has round nostrils - here is a heavy crop

 

So I will add it to my list!

 

201.G183.Wahlberg's Eagle  Aquila wahlbergi                      

Senegambia Hotel      16.01.2018

[Galana]

On 2/28/2018 at 10:49 AM, TonyQ said:

190      G180   Yellow-billed Kite         Milvus aegyptius                    

 

 

On 2/28/2018 at 10:49 AM, TonyQ said:

190      G180   Yellow-billed Kite         Milvus aegyptius                    

Abuko Forest   14.01.2018

It was actually this one I was talking about @TonyQ the one you highlighted is most definitely a YB Kite.

Edited March 3, 2018 by Galana
Additonal text.

[Geoff]

@TonyQ   Some lovely birds in your garden and fantastic effort in The Gambia. 

 

Try processing the Golonek again. The WB kills it. As a suggestion for a starting point put the 2nd image from that post into LR and click Auto on WB . You'll immediately see what I mean. Then continue processing from there...

 

[TonyQ]

@Galana

Thank you - this bird identification is complicated! The bird in the photo you chose - I am not sure of. So I will withdraw No.201 and return to 200. Thank you for your interest.

 

@Geoff

Thank you. Auto white balance is interesting. I have my camera set to "auto" white balance, and Lightroom was set to "as shot". Trying "auto" in Lightroom gives a colour temperature of about 500K different - which was a surprise to me. Changing it does improve one of the photos (the second one). I think one of the problems with the last photo was it was so drastically underexposed. We were eating lunch and the bird flew into a bush near our table. Dark bush and very bright early afternoon sun behind the bird and a quickly grabbed photo. To get the posted version I had to boostby +2.6 stops as well as lower the highlights and "white". So you are right that it can be improved (and I will experiment more following your advice) I think there will be limits to what I will achieve. But it will be fun trying!

Edited March 4, 2018 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

201.UK.20. Fieldfare  Turdus pilaris

  

Our Garden, Birmingham        03.03.2018

This is the first time we have seen a Fieldfare in our garden, it is also the first I have seen this year.

 

[TonyQ]

202.UK.21.      Redwing  Turdus iliacus

Earlswood, nr Birmingham      16.02.2018

[TonyQ]

203.UK.22. Robin  Erithacus rubecula

Trittiford Pool, Birmingham     26.01.2018

[TonyQ]

204.UK.23. Pochard  Aythya ferina

  

(F) Trittiford Pool, Birmingham     28.01.2018

(M) Trittiford Pool, Birmingham     28.01.2018

[TonyQ]

205.UK.24. Collared Dove  Streptopelia decaocto    

Our Garden, Birmingham        09.02.2018

Earlswood, nr Birmingham      16.02.2018

[TonyQ]

206.UK.25. Carrion Crow  Corvus corone

Sandwell Valley           02.02.2018

[TonyQ]

207.UK.26. Curlew  Numenius arquata         

Upton Warren, Worcestershire           28.01.2018

[TonyQ]

208.UK.27. Shelduck  Tadorna tadorna         

Upton Warren, Worcestershire           28.01.2018

[TonyQ]

209.UK.28. Woodpigeon  Columba palumbus           

Sandwell Valley           02.02.2018

[TonyQ]

210.UK.29. Nuthatch  Sitta europea  

Earlswood, nr Birmingham      15.02.2018

Earlswood, nr Birmingham      15.02.2018

I really enjoy watching Nuthatches - beautiful little birds.

They do come quite regularly to our garden, but are quite difficult to photograph there

Our Garden 10.01.2018

[Galana]

@TonyQ

that's very honest of you but I still think you have a Wahlberg.

[Peter Connan]

Lovely photo of the Robin Tony!

[TonyQ]

@Galana Thank you. I am still thinking about it. What features make you think it is a Wahlberg?

@Peter Connan Thank you

[TonyQ]

211.UK.30. Great Northern Diver  Gavia immer        

Chasewater     06.01.2018

[TonyQ]

212.UK.31. Goldeneye  Bucephala clangula 

(M) Chasewater     06.01.2018

(M+F) Chasewater     06.01.2018

[TonyQ]

213.UK.32. Goosander  Mergus merganser  

(F) Earlswood, nr Birmingham      15.02.2018

(M) Earlswood, nr Birmingham      15.02.2018

[TonyQ]

214.UK.33. Magpie  Pica pica

Sandwell Valley           02.02.2018

Sandwell Valley           02.02.2018