Posts from the ‘wildlife video’ Category

Bird Photography from a Snow Blind/Hide: Ancient Skills for a Modern Use

Snow Blind—Making a Photo Blind / Photo Hide out of snow for bird photography.

Sparky and Ryan put ancient skills to a modern use…A quinzhee is a type of snow shelter used by the Ojibwa in the North Woods and it is a perfect shelter for hiding the photographer.

Sparky’s kids also put in a cameo!

2011, 2013, 2023

More at http://www.thephotonaturalist.com

Photo Galleries at http://www.sparkyphotos.com

TX Birding/Bird Photography: Estero Llano Grande & Bentsen: Part 1 Rio Grande Valley

Part 1—Sparky’s Texas Bird Adventure

Leaving snowy Minnesota behind Sparky returns to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas for some birding and bird photography. 

I explore Estero Llano Grande & Bentsen state parks and find some great stuff including roosting Pauraques, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Tropical Kingbird (what a great name!), Red-crowned Parrots, Gray Hawk, White-tipped Doves, Hook-billed Kite, Least Grebe, White-faced Ibis, Cinnamon Teal

It has been 35 YEARS since my first trip here and 15 years since my last visit, and I share some memories from 2008 when Ryan Marshik and I participated in the Valley Land Fund photo contest. 

One of my goals is to add species to my “Photographed List,” which stands at 525 species for the ABA area (north of Mexico in North America). In this episode I add 4 new species and improve on my photos for 8 more species. I don’t find the Social Flycatcher so I do not add any Lifers to my ABA birding list.

Stay tuned for Part 2 when I rent out an entire Texas ranch for bird photography!

SNOWY OWLS! winter bird photography Glacial Ridge NWR Prairie Chicken Snow Bunting Minnesota Tundra

February 2023: Sparky makes a quick birding/bird photography trip out to “Minnesota’s tundra” of Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge and Polk County. Is there anything to be found out here at Minus-40F? YES! Snowy Owls, Greater Prairie Chickens, Snow Buntings, Gray Partridge, basking Red Fox and more! Sparky even makes a visit to Key West…but he finds NO beaches…NO bikinis…NO bars or beers.

Wolf Encounter! Sax-Zim Bog in February; Winter Finches; Birding; Virtually Live 34 S3E9

February 2023: Wolves are not uncommon in Sax-Zim…but to see one is a very special event! In this episode Sparky runs across a semi-cooperative Timber Wolf. Plus we hike down Gray Jay Way to meet a Snowshoe Hare, find some Red Crossbills, meet volunteer Jim and find THREE signs of spring in early February. And Sparky shares the results of the Tiny Bird Art auction.

World’s Coldest Birdathon–Sax-Zim Bog XC Skiing Virtually Live 33 S3E8

January 2023: Join Sparky in Grand Marais on the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog BRRRRdathon-World’s Coldest Birdathon. Long-tailed Ducks, Bohemian Waxwings.

We also answer some of your questions about Sax-Zim Bog including “Why aren’t there more owls this winter?”

Also we cross-country ski on the only ski trails in the Sax-Zim Bog.

You Don’t Always Get What You Want (in wildlife photography) Rice Lake NWR Ruffed Grouse display

October 2022: In this episode of Quick Trips with Sparky, he goes to nearby Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge near McGregor, Minnesota. He takes you along to the Observation Tower for ducks and swans at sunrise. And gets distracted by a ruffled Ruffed Grouse, who is in full courtship display…in late fall! (Learn why).

But this episode is titled, “You don’t always get what you want” because in wildlife photography you sometimes don’t get the photo you imagined before you go on your trip, but sometimes end up with other interesting photos.

http://www.sparkyphotos.com

Photography in Crappy Weather Can be Fun and Profitable! Snowy October Day in northern Minnesota

Sparky heads out for a short wildlife photography jaunt on a mid October in northern Minnesota. 

“Bad weather” can create some unique images.

http://www.sparkyphotos.com

http://www.thephotonaturalist.com

New video: Virtually Live 31 S3:E6

Evening Grosbeaks Galore! Winter Finches Arrive Sax-Zim Bog 

Winter finches have arrived in the Sax-Zim Bog! Evening Grosbeaks are abundant with lesser amounts of Pine Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls. Sparky goes on an early winter jaunt in the snowy Sax-Zim Bog in search of winter birds. A junco is an unexpected find at the Sisu feeders at the Zabin. We also stop by the Welcome Center and find a Pileated Woodpecker feasting on a deer rib cage. A flock of Bohemian Waxwings make a cameo along Nichols Lake Road. A side trip takes us to Mary Lou’s new garage and outdoor “birder lounge.” Sparky also shares details about the upcoming Tiny Bird Art online auction AND the BRRRRdathon-World’s Coldest Birdathon. Come on along!

From Blaah to Whaat! Bird Photography & weather-Trumpeter Swans & Sandhill Cranes Crex Meadows

On a whim, Sparky stops by Crex Meadows in western Wisconsin on his way home from a conference in St. Paul…and despite the initial BLAAH light and heavy overcast, he stays and the light suddenly turns magical…WHAAT!

Sandhill Cranes and Trumpeter Swans are the avian highlights.

Sparky tries shooting through the red fall foliage to create some unique and creative wildlife photos.

All photos taken with Canon R5 and Canon 100-500mm lens

YouTube video and gallery below.

http://www.sparkyphotos.com (My photo galleries)

FIVE OWL SPECIES Mink Bobcat Ermine Wolf

Virtually Live 25 S2E10

In this episode of Virtually Live from the Sax-Zim Bog, Sparky Stensaas shares his favorite sightings from the last month, including FIVE SPECIES OF OWLS, MINK, BOBCAT, ERMINE & WOLF! All in the Sax-Zim Bog of northern Minnesota from early February through early March.

Encounters with FIVE different owl species in Sax-Zim are highlighted… An adorable Northern Saw-whet Owl hunts below a feeder; A Great Gray plunges into the snow and pulls up a vole; chickadees help him find a Barred Owl soaking up the sun at Fringed Gentian Bog; a Snowy Owl NOT on a power pole!; and a Northern Hawk Owl returns to the Bog and performs and preens for the camera.

Sparky also shares some ETIQUETTE for watching and enjoying Great Grays without disturbing them.

In additIon, we watch a Mink hunt for fish, see an Ermine in hunting mode and enjoy a Bobcat just sitting there.

We also make a stop at the Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center to see what’s happening there: Pine Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls in slow motion.

And lots more!