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Charles' Photo Box
Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2025 12:05 pm
by Charles B
Hi!
This is my new thread displaying some of my better photos taken with my Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 phone. They are mostly in HDA mode with x 2 zoom, taken through my balcony window.
Here is my favorite: A fluffy Great enjoying sunflower seeds.
Photo via 8upload.com
Re: Charles' Photo Box
Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2025 12:49 pm
by Willpar
A nice out of the way place for the little birds Charles.
Re: Charles' Photo Box
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2025 12:03 pm
by Charles B
Re: Charles' Photo Box
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2025 1:07 pm
by Charles B
Here is my first Nikon Coolpix B500 photo:
A male Bullfinch. I was 3.5 metres away in bed and made this shot hrough a rather dirty window.
A new visitor to my balcony pergola is an Eurasian Wood Pigeon who comes by maybe six times a day. Here she is seen dining peacefully with 'Maggie'.
PS: The Middle Spotted Woodpecker was also feeding on my suet-ball cage a couple times today but my cameras were not ready.
Re: Charles' Photo Box
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2025 12:41 pm
by Charles B
Today a heavy line of rainstorms moved through my area so the Tits on my balcony were in a virtual 'feeding frenzy'. But now that the sun is finally attempting to poke it's way through the cloud cover my feathered friends are all now apparently taking naps in the cherry laurel bushes next to me.
I indeed wanted to make the best use of whatever lighting comes my way therefore I set my Nikon Coolpix B500 on the new Hama Star 62 tripod, perched atop my metal EKEA patio table, and secured it with two bungee cords hooked together underneath. This allows the free rotation of the tripod need be.
The lighting situation is quite challenging as I am indeed in the darkness of of my bedroom photographing very active little birds out on my bamboo balcony pergola but through my not so well polished windows, with the bright glare of the sky behind my avian subjects. I was also partial well hidden behind our thick, dark green curtains pulled across the glass balcony door.
And I found the best Nikon B500 setting for this was 'Sport'.
I'll attempt some better photos later.
Cheers!
Charles
Re: Charles' Photo Box
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2025 2:09 pm
by PimperneBloke
Little flitting birds in dim light or backlit are always a real challenge Charles... Good Luck
Re: Charles' Photo Box
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2025 2:42 pm
by Linda257
Practice practice practice pays off eventually
Re: Charles' Photo Box
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2025 4:03 pm
by Charles B
Now our yet unnamed Wood Pigeon popped in again for a long, relaxed lunch laying on her belly and sat there quite a while in no hurry just observing the world from atop my balcony bamboo pergola.
DeviceNIKON COOLPIX B500
Apertureƒ/5.8
Focal length65.4 mm
Exposure time1/25 second(s)
ISO800
The Eurasian Wood Nuthatch came also frequently to dine.
DeviceNIKON COOLPIX B500
Apertureƒ/5.1
Focal length26.3 mm
Exposure time1/20 second(s)
ISO800
Re: Charles' Photo Box
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2025 3:14 pm
by Charles B
I don't have any new photos today but an interesting tale of bird behaviour to share:
The above said Wood Pigeon continues to fill up with sunflower seed now even more and more.
I removed my dear FM Loop Antenna from atop the pergola now giving the pigeon one less flight obstruction. (The music on 'NDR 1 - Radio Niedersachen' wasn't worth the technical effort lately anyway.
)
But today I hosed down my balcony, the pergola and all of my raspberry bushes after my apparent acute Asthma attack yesterday which turned cardiac. But I'm OK now and the pergola now safer against H5N1 should it appear. I also dump out my balcony bird bath daily, wipe it out good with paper towels and refill it with 7 litres of our area's wonderful, cold water. I've already stowed its solar fountain away for the season.
Our water does contain more minerals than the expensive mineral water brands on the market. Alas, I love to photograph birds at close range through my balcony windows and the spray from the fountain has left me fighting with the the removal of mineral spots on glass. I've tried scrubbing them with 10% acid white vinegar but if any of you have any suggestions I would be indeed very thankful to hear from you. I don't have any problem with birds crashing into the windows here rather an occasional tit bumping into them during wild 'horse play' or chasing on my balcony.
And now back on my original topic of the Wood Pigeon: I was standing at my balcony with the door open as the pigeon landed on the railing two metres from me. I was standing there blowing any remaining water out of my garden hose and rolling it up. But she feared me not rather sat there curious then flew atop the pergola to her tray of seed. She ate for the longest time taking occasional breaks to just look around in a day-dreamy state of happiness.
She lives in the oak trees out back just around the corner across from my oldest daughter's 3rd storey flat. Perhaps I should name her. Haha!
Charles
Re: Charles' Photo Box
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2025 8:45 pm
by Jacksparrow
Charles B wrote: Thu Oct 30, 2025 3:14 pm
I don't have any new photos today but an interesting tale of bird behaviour to share:
The above said Wood Pigeon continues to fill up with sunflower seed now even more and more.
I removed my dear FM Loop Antenna from atop the pergola now giving the pigeon one less flight obstruction. (The music on 'NDR 1 - Radio Niedersachen' wasn't worth the technical effort lately anyway.
)
But today I hosed down my balcony, the pergola and all of my raspberry bushes after my apparent acute Asthma attack yesterday which turned cardiac. But I'm OK now and the pergola now safer against H5N1 should it appear. I also dump out my balcony bird bath daily, wipe it out good with paper towels and refill it with 7 litres of our area's wonderful, cold water. I've already stowed its solar fountain away for the season.
Our water does contain more minerals than the expensive mineral water brands on the market. Alas, I love to photograph birds at close range through my balcony windows and the spray from the fountain has left me fighting with the the removal of mineral spots on glass. I've tried scrubbing them with 10% acid white vinegar but if any of you have any suggestions I would be indeed very thankful to hear from you. I don't have any problem with birds crashing into the windows here rather an occasional tit bumping into them during wild 'horse play' or chasing on my balcony.
And now back on my original topic of the Wood Pigeon: I was standing at my balcony with the door open as the pigeon landed on the railing two metres from me. I was standing there blowing any remaining water out of my garden hose and rolling it up. But she feared me not rather sat there curious then flew atop the pergola to her tray of seed. She ate for the longest time taking occasional breaks to just look around in a day-dreamy state of happiness.
She lives in the oak trees out back just around the corner across from my oldest daughter's 3rd storey flat. Perhaps I should name her. Haha!
Charles
Does your Woody have any distinguishing features? All the ones that visit me look very much alike and can only be sexed when and if you see a pair attempting to pair up for breeding.
)