Daily Archives: August 18, 2015

Bird with a Swinging Nest

I spent a couple of mornings in April photographing Altamira orioles at the nest.  As you may know, this species constructs an incredible hanging nest which sometimes reaches 2′ in length.  Coupled with the birds’ incredible gold and black colors and melodious song, they are a joy to watch, hear or photograph.

The following photos were made with the tripod standing on the ground and/or the back of a pickup.  As usual, my equipment included a Wimberley tripod head, Canon 7D Mark II camera and 500 mm IS lens.  I mostly tried to capture behavior and flight shots… fun but not easy.

Just click on a photo and it will enlarge and sharpen for viewing.  Click on the right border of a photo to advance to the next image.

Altamira Oriole leaving nest, s. Texas; tepeguaje tree.
Altamira Oriole leaving nest, s. Texas; tepeguaje tree.

 

 

 

Altamira Oriole singing from the nest entrance; tepeguaje tree.
Altamira Oriole singing from the nest entrance.
Altamira Oriole adult in flight, s. Texas
Altamira Oriole adult in flight, s. Texas

 

Altamira Oriole leaving nest, s. Texas; tepeguaje tree.
Altamira Oriole leaving nest.

 

Altamira Oriole adult in flight, s. Texas
Altamira Oriole adult in flight, s. Texas

It was almost impossible to anticipate the birds’ flight path as they returned to the nest with invertebrates for the young.  Hence, I got no flight shots of birds carrying colorful caterpillars and bugs, but I hope to get ‘er done next spring.

Have a good week,

Larry