Spring has Sprung

Spring has sprung
The grass is riz'
I wonder where
The birdies is ?






We have had an eventful week.  Upon reviewing our photos from the past year we decided it was time to invest in more mega pixels for our birding adventures.  Our aging Canon EOS 20D has an effective 8.2 mega pixels.  Not too shabby for knocking around but with our telephoto lens and edits after the shot the newer technologies were showing up the old trusty camera.  After a little research and debate we purchased a new Canon 7D with an awesome lens and a whopping 18 megapixels.  The new lens works with the old camera  for wide angle shots and a back up if something goes awry with the new one. But the 7D so far has made some great pictures.

We were out this morning to Island Beach State Park.  We drove through seeing the usual nuthatches and other brown birds too quick for our eye.  At the first pull off area in the park,  a very unafraid little red fox was hanging out (probably waiting for a free lunch).  He posed for a bit before moving on.

As we were leaving the park we happened upon an osprey enjoying the fish du jour.

 

Encouraged by reports of some spring migration movement, we took to the road heading to one of our favorite birding spots, Allaire State park.  We like to walk from the first parking lot to the nature center and have often had very productive walks.  Today was quiet with only remnants of winter birds frequenting the feeders and trees.  Still, it was a good chance to hone our bird photography.

 

 

With no spring birds about, we had plenty of chances to observe the changing seasons in the molting feathers of some of our subjects.  The white-throat sparrow and the gold finches were wearing a combination of new spring finery and the old worn coat of winter.