I've been seeing some of our winter resident ducks along with many migrating waterfowl.  Waterfowl, for me, is difficult to shoot because I can't get very close.  Sometimes, when the lighting is right, I can get a good photograph from a distance but for the best shots, I need to arrive early, hunker down in a blind, and wait for them to come to me.  I just don't have time for that very often so I'll have to make the best of the situation.

This blog post doesn't have any waterfowl photos.  This time the theme is fall food.  Right now the crabapple, dogwood, and other trees are all holding their fruit for wildlife.  I caught this gray squirrel in my backyard munching on crabapple fruits.  Take note of its thick winter coat.

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Gray Squirrel (Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon 300mm 2.8L, f/2.8 @ 300mm, 1/2500, ISO 200)

This Yellow-rumped Warbler was found in Moraine State Park with fall fruit all around.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon 300mm 2.8L, 2X EF Extender III, f/5.6 @ 600mm, 1/1600, ISO 800)

I had to post this shot of a Yellow-rumped Warbler.  I think this is my best photo of this species.  Although the background is a little cluttered, the lighting is nice and the pose shows off all its non-breeding colors.

Yellow-rumped WarblerMale

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon 300mm 2.8L, 2X EF Extender III, f/5.6 @ 600mm, 1/1600, ISO 800)

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this Wood Thrush hopping along the ground.  They can be found hopping on the ground looking for insects, caterpillars, etc.  They usually migrate south in early October but some stragglers can be found into December.  What I couldn't believe is that I walked up on it and it didn't fly.  It was aware of me and began moving away quickly.  I was lucky to get a decent, focused shot because I had to hurry with my tripod and it was getting pretty dark outside as the sun had already set.  Truly, a rare find. 

Wood Thrush

Wood Thrush (Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon 300mm 2.8L, f/2.8 @ 600mm, 1/20, ISO 800)

This next photo is of a Golden-crowned Kinglet, a winter resident of Pennsylvania.  It is a rare catch and my first ever.  This bird didn't sit still long enough to get a good focus so I am very lucky to get this shot in decent focus.  The sun's bright, side-lighting isn't the most desired lighting but you have to take what nature gives you.

Gold-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet (Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon 300mm 2.8L, 2X EF Extender III, f/5.6 @ 600mm, 1/1600, ISO 800)

Another winter resident is the White-throated Sparrow.  This photo nicely shows its coloring.

White-throated Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow (Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon 300mm 2.8L, 2X EF Extender III, f/5.6 @ 600mm, 1/500, ISO 640)

The Gray Squirrel is having a feast in my crabapple tree.

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Gray Squirrel (Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon 300mm 2.8L, f/9 @ 300mm, 1/100, ISO 200, +1 EV)

This Tufted Titmouse was carrying berries from a dogwood tree to this broken limb, lodging it in a crack in the wood, and pecking it open.

Tufted Titmouse

Tuffed Titmouse (Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon 300mm 2.8L, 2X EF Extender III, f/5.6 @ 600mm, 1/1250, ISO 640)

I have seen a pair of Northern Cardinals in this spot the last few times I was there.  Most of the time they couldn't be seen but I heard them chirping as they searched for insects.  I posted a photo of the male in my last blog.  This time it's the female Northern Cardinal.

Northern Cardinal (female)

Northern Cardinal (female) (Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon 300mm 2.8L, 2X EF Extender III, f/5.6 @ 600mm, 1/4000, ISO 800)

Thanks for looking,

Dan