| The Greater Roadrunner (GRRO) which has been around my neighborhood for the past couple of months paid another visit to my backyard this afternoon. I first spotted him when I was looking out my bedroom window at the brush pile where my bird feeding station is. I believe the GRRO may be attracted to the brush pile since this is where all the feeder birds (comprised mostly of House Sparrows for now) like to hang out. GRRO does, at times, prey on songbirds when it cant find any other small rodents, snakes, lizards, etc. Anyway, I quickly grabbed my D7000 + 600mm and went outside way to the back part of my backyard so I could get the sun at my back. Fortunately, the GRRO was still there on the brush pile when I got into position, and I started shooting away (see image #1). He then proceeded to walk out of the brush pile and across my lawn, which began a nearly 30 minute shoot as he wandered slowly and methodically without much angst to get anywhere in any hurry. This was a very tame bird. I was shooting sitting up, resting the 600mm on my knees, so staying low helped not to spook the GRRO. I was able to approach within 15 or so yards with relative ease. In fact, there were a few moments when he would actually approach me to around 8 to 10 yards, without a care in the world that I was even there taking pictures! What a real treat. I never get this lucky photographing birds without a hide or in a ghillie suit. The images below are my best ones from the shoot of around 550 frames over the span of 30 minutes. |
