Yesterday morning, I decided to give the birdbath in my yard a thorough scrubbing. As I waited to refill it with water, I noticed some birds were already eager to use it again. First to arrive was a Northern Flicker, which landed on the empty birdbath and gave me a chance to snap several photos. Not long after, a male Northern Cardinal showed up, adding to the impatience. It was quite amusing to see them both waiting for me to hurry up and get the birdbath back in working order.
Observations and Technical Details
Birds, especially regular visitors, seem to know when their usual water source is temporarily unavailable. It was a reminder of just how important it is to keep birdbaths clean and full, especially as we head into the cooler months. Here’s a quick overview of my camera settings for these photos:
- Date: 10/25/24
- Time: Morning
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 200-800mm
- Focal Length: 800
- ISO: 3200 for the Flicker and 4000 for the Cardinal
- Aperture: f/9
- Shutter Speed: 1/800 sec
- Exposure Compensation: +0.3 for the Cardinal
The lighting was soft, which helped bring out the details in the birds’ feathers, while the higher ISO accommodated for the early light conditions. It was a fun and unexpected opportunity to photograph these familiar backyard visitors up close.
These interactions are part of why I enjoy photographing wildlife in my yard. It’s always interesting to observe the birds’ behavior and see their personalities come through.