Some Birds are Hard to Photograph Let’s face it; some birds are hard to photograph. Either they move around too much, or they are in low light, and you can’t get the exposure settings to cooperate on your phone that’s when it’s time to switch to video. I’m a big fan of using video on your smartphone. You can use … Read More
Blizzard Birding
It’s April. It’s Year of the Bird. I made so many plans to really enjoy the birds in my home state this spring. Normally in spring, I’m gone almost the whole season enjoying migratory birds in other states or countries. This was my year to bird the crap out of Minnesota! And April in Minnesota did what April does sometimes. … Read More
Black-tailed Godwit – Pedrickton Marsh, New Jersey
Drop-everything Bird: A bird whose presence within a few hour radius of your location compels you to immediately drop everything and GO. Black-tailed Godwit version. The Most Recent Drop-everything Bird I have a lot of “drop-everything birds” that I’ve always wanted to see, especially in the Philly region: Barn Owl, Painted Bunting, Harlequin Duck, Roseate Spoonbill. But some of the … Read More
Frogs That Sound Like Birds
When I was a kid, frogs and toads would trip me up all the time–especially spring peepers. Heck, even as a young adult I was fooled into thinking some frog calls were birds. My first time birding in Minneapolis, I headed to a city park known as T.S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary. I heard several creatures making the strangest sound I’d … Read More
Cape Coral Burrowing Owls
Oh Florida, how I love you so with your super chill birds, especially your burrowing owls in Cape Coral. One of the cool things about visiting Florida is how relaxed all the birds appear to be. If you love taking pictures of birds, it’s great. A person can get very close to your subjects and they are not alarmed. Since … Read More
Fun With Photo Apps
Years ago when I was digiscoping with a single lens reflex camera, I went to take a picture of a northern saw-whet owl. The bird was hanging out in a Minneapolis backyard and the homeowner welcomed people who wanted to stop by. My husband who is a non-birder came with me to the yard because even he has to concede … Read More
Year of the Bird
I drove through downtown St. Paul today, it was sunny and beautiful. Two adult bald eagles soared overhead, cruising the Mississippi River for ducks and fish between the chunks of ice. Without thinking, I mumbled to myself, “Good morning, Sky Carp.” In the Twin Cities metro area, bald eagles are almost as common as crows, they nest in downtown Minneapolis … Read More
Versatility Of The Phone Skope Neck Buff
Are Neck Buffs Versatile?Now and then I get one when I run a 5k, but I never do anything more creative than wearing it as a cowl around my neck and then use it to wipe up the sweat, or it becomes a cleaning rag. I’ve seen the instructions and have wondered if I have what it takes to fashion … Read More
Stop Phone Batteries Dying in the Cold
Common redpolls chowing down on thistle at a bird feeder.Ah winter! Where I live it can bring a host of species we can’t see any other time of year like snowy owls and redpolls. There’s a famous birding destination in Minnesota called Sax Zim Bog. This top winter destination, which hosts a bird festival every February is popular because it’s easily … Read More
Phone Skope Digiscoping Tips – Using Autofocus for Sharper Photos and Videos
The Problem Using your smartphone for digiscoping can be fun and rewarding, but also challenging. One of the the more challenging aspects is locking the exposure and focus in on the subject you’re photographing. If your subject is not in focus, the resulting video or picture can be undesirable. Therefore, figuring out a way to optimize your settings is essential for … Read More
