Review - Where the Birds are In Northeast Spain

by The Birdfreak Team on January 6, 2009 · 0 comments

in Book Reviews


While many birders are familiar with the ABA/Lane Birdfinding Guides few may be aware of specific bird finding guides outside of the United States. Where the Birds are in Northeast Spain written by Steve West does a superb job of providing detailed locations of where to find birds in this specific bird-rich region.

The main areas covered include Catalunya (Catalonia) and Aragon which can be birded in one or two weeks. The habitat ranges from sea level to the high Pyrenees including cliffs, forests, inland lakes, rice fields and more.

We are unfamiliar with the area covered in the book but the maps are detailed and appear easy to follow.

Instead of being sorted by birding hot spots, it is arranged by species. Each bird has a complete list of specific locations with an accompanying map. This might make it difficult if you are looking for a good birding spot and not a certain bird.

We wished Mr. West would have included page numbers in his index to assist finding birds quicker. He does provide a helpful glossary of Castilian Spanish translations for common signs and geographical terminology. He also includes some references for accommodations near the highlighted locations.

Overall, Where the Birds are in Northeast Spain is an excellent resource for birders wishing to explore an exciting part of Europe. Steve West has been leading tours since 1997 and serves as a local guide in northeast Spain per request.

{ 0 comments }

Bird Photography Weekly #19

by The Birdfreak Team on January 5, 2009 · 18 comments

in Bird Photography Weekly


Bird Photography Weekly #18 is all wrapped up! Join the next installment today!! Make sure to check out Nature Photography & Art, a new creation by Birdfreak.com.

Help spread the word with these badges:

Copy this code to place this badge:

<a href="http://birdfreak.com/category/bird-photography-weekly/"><img src="http://birdfreak.com/images/bpw-sharing-logo-wide.jpg" width="225"/></a>

Copy this code to place this badge:

<a href="http://birdfreak.com/category/bird-photography-weekly/"><img src="http://birdfreak.com/images/bpw-sharing-logo-smaller.jpg" width="125"/></a>

{ 18 comments }

Review of Corvus: A Life With Birds

by The Birdfreak Team on January 4, 2009 · 1 comment

in Book Reviews


Having only had one pet bird before (a parakeet), our familiarity with living with birds is minimal. We obsess over birds, but outside of a little bird banding, our intimacy with avian creatures is through optics.

Esther Woolfson, on the other hand, has first hand experience living with once wild birds and in Corvus: A Life With Birds, she recounts just what that is like. For reasons partially unknown, some people believe those who have birds know all about birds. Thus, Ms. Woolfson became the recipient of an onslaught of sick, injured, and orphaned birds, including an infant Rook. This corvid (that of the family of crows, ravens, magpies, rooks, jays, etc.) was named Madame Chickeboumskaya or “Chicken” for short.

This story follows Chicken’s antics and reads like a novel bringing the reader into the world of birds that become like family. In telling this tale, we learn much about the intellect of what is one of the smartest bird families in the world. Ms. Woolfson also provides some thought on the erroneous opinion that corvids are evil; some sort of connection to the underworld.

Corvus is a delightful read and gives us a glimpse into the realm of birds that many birders never see.

{ 1 comment }

Review - Hummingbirds of North America

by The Birdfreak Team on January 3, 2009 · 0 comments

in Book Reviews


Hummingbirds of North America provides over two hundred pages of fascinating information on the 16 species of hummingbirds found in North America.

The book includes the life history of all species including nesting, predation and coloration. Detailed coverage of hummingbird migration can be found for each species. There is a full color photographic guide as well as range maps and detailed information on the best places to find each species. There are also helpful tips to photographing hummingbirds.

Each state and providence in North America has a listing of what species can be found and how common they are. A section on feeding hummingbirds includes where to place feeders, how to care for them, make your own formula and how to control “uninvited guests”. There are also tips on using natural attractants. There is even a wonderful hummingbird trivia section for wowing friends.

Hummingbirds of North America is a worthy book for anyone with even a mild interest in these tiny jewels.

{ 0 comments }


The following is a comparison of five variations of bird photography:

  1. Digiscoping with a point-and-shoot [Nikon Coolpix 5100]
  2. Digiscoping with a digital SLR camera [Canon EOS Rebel XTi]
  3. Telephoto with Swarovski TLS800 adapter and digital SLR [Canon EOS Rebel XTi]
  4. Telephoto with 100-400mm lens [Canon]
  5. Telephoto with 100-400mm lens and 2x extender [Canon]

The subject is a stuffed Pileated Woodpecker in our White Pine at about 33 feet. The conditions were sleeting and cold with some wind (perfect for photography!) and the purpose of this is not so much image quality as distance comparison and ease of use. Below the photos are some thoughts on what works best.

Nikon Coolpix 5100 at no zoom [12.9mm]
nikonp5100-no-zoom-copy005

Nikon Coolpix 5100 coupled with Swarovski 80HD STS spotting scope at 20x zoom
nikonp5100-20x-copy006

Nikon Coolpix 5100 coupled with Swarovski 80HD STS spotting scope at 60x zoom
nikonp5100-60x-copy004

Digital SLR digiscoping - Canon EOS Rebel XTi with 50mm lens and Swarovski 80HD STS spotting scope at 20x
canon50mm-20x-copy009

Digital SLR digiscoping - Canon EOS Rebel XTi with 50mm lens and Swarovski 80HD STS spotting scope at approx. 60x
img_7233001

Telephoto with Swarovski TLS800 adapter and digital SLR [Canon EOS Rebel XTi]
canon-tls800-copy001

This is what the TLS800 looks like on the scope [from Swarovski's website]

Telephoto with 100-400mm Canon lens [100mm]
canon100mm-copy003

Telephoto with 100-400mm Canon lens [400mm]
canon400mm-copy008

Telephoto with 100-400mm Canon lens and 2x adapter [100mm with 2x = 200mm]
canon100mm2x-extender-copy002

Telephoto with 100-400mm Canon lens and 2x adapter [400mm with 2x = 800mm]
canon400mm2x-extender-copy007

Summary

The Nikon point-and-shoot does a surprisingly good job at digiscoping but has the drawback of not being able to shoot successive shots (quickly) and takes a long time to focus on the subject (an obvious problem with non-stationary subjects).

The Canon SLR method works well especially at lower magnification (on the scope) and allows for rapid shooting and fast-focusing.

The Swarovski TLS800 is a bit hard to use. It requires removal of the spotting scope’s eyepiece making the scope useless for searching for birds. Once the TLS800 is attached to your camera, you have to hook it to the scope which creates an awkward (and comical) bit of maneuvering.

Once the whole setup is ready we found that the camera settings had to be adjusted a great deal more than with digiscoping. We never could get the settings right and the photo shown was the best we could get after numerous attempts.

The shots with the 100-400mm lens are more for comparison. This method of bird photography is better for general hiking or birds in flight shots as it allows for free movement and less adjustments.

Overall, we prefer the “true” digiscoping setup over the TLS800 telephoto adapter. The Swarovski Digital Camera Adapter can be used with virtually ANY camera so even if you upgrade, you’ll be ready to digiscope.

TLS800 Rating: 3 of 10
Swarovski Digital Camera Adapter Rating: 10 of 10

{ 4 comments }


Side-by-side comparison of an American Goldfinch (left) and Pine Siskin who were hanging out on our thistle feeder. This was digiscoped with the Birdfreak Swarovski Digiscoping Setup through a window. Camera was our Nikon Coolpix 5100 (point-and-shoot).

Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch

Video clip also through the scope and Nikon camera.

View all our videos which include not only birds but the world famous, Arizona Doberman (and some other stuff as well).

{ 2 comments }