Picture Of The Week 01-23-12

Where: Richmond, VA • Dirk Drive

Notes: "I get by with a little help from my friends..." Special thanks to the crew at Dr. Steve Evans, DDS (www.stevenevansdds.com) office for alerting me to the presence of these terrific birds. At my last routine appointment, I had noticed that the viburnum bushes lining the parking lot were loaded with ripe, purple berries. I knew from past experiences that the Waxwings and Robins would descend upon this buffet before too long and strip those tall shrubs of their fruit. It was mid-February last year when I photographed some Waxwings just down the street from my home. I mentioned this in conversation following my visit and they promised to call me if the birds came. Sure enough, I got a call just a few days later. A mass of birds, tan with black mask, was eating the berries. I went by a couple of days later on Sunday, when the parking lot would be empty, but I was too late. The millions of berries were ALL gone! So, I headed home. Then just as I started to make the last turn onto my street, I noticed some Waxwings on the bushes that line the back of the shopping center. I parked along the road and captured a few new images from the vehicle at very close range. Turns out, that I got the bird I was looking for after all.

Equipment: Canon EOS 40D • Canon 400mm f-5.6 Prime USM L Series Lens • Hand Held

Exposure: Shutter Speed = 1/100 second • Aperture = f 7.1 • Exposure Mode = Aperture Priority • Focus Mode: One Shot • Lens (Focal) Length = 400 mm • ISO = 400 • Aprox. Camera Distance = ~12 Feet • Date Shot: 01-30-12

©2012 Robert W. Schamerhorn. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.