Tag Archives: Northern Lights

Day 344: Chickadee and First Impressions of the Sony NEX-5T

Year 2,

Today’s decent light rapidly evaporated as northern Minnesota awaits the arrival of an Alberta Clipper and a winter storm. By the time I got around to bird photography today, the light was dim and the world was gloomy. Thankfully I can almost always count upon a black-capped chickadee to be present and allow me to continue my 365 bird photography project.

While I took today’s bird photograph with my Canon SX60, which I love given its zoom telephoto capability (see my review of this camera), I now also head out on my birding rounds with a second camera also in tow … my new Sony NEX-5T mirrorless camera.

My initial impressions of this camera are very favorable. My goal in the purchase of this camera was to have a device in my kit which would excel for landscape and low light / night time photography. Sony’s mirrorless systems have been noted for excelling in the low light arena. While I am still learning the camera, and have not had the opportunity yet to photograph the Northern Lights, I am pleased with the results.

Today’s Bird … photo taken with my Canon SX60 camera
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Low light photos taken since Christmas Day with my Sony NEX-5T camera
344-Birds-365-Dawn-Of-Yesteryear 342-Birds-365-Stoney-Point-Seasmoke-Sunrise 341-Birds-365-Midnight-Arrival 336-Birds-365-Christmas-Creek

Day 266: Black Birds and the Black of Night!

Year 1, ,

Today was a day for darkness … black, but laced with color! The day started with a hike along the St. Louis River. The fruit trees (dogwood and crab apple) were attracting the black birds, but with injections of color! Later during the night, the Northern Lights spiced up the night sky! It’s good to live in the Northland!

Grackle looking through Fall leaves!
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Red-Winged Blackbird and Crab A266-Birds-365-Red-Winged-Black-Bird-Crab-Applepples

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Northern Lights on the Horizon (Knife River Hiking Trail)
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Days 217 to 219: Birds of the Aurora!

Year 1, ,

The past several nights have been fantastic for viewing and photographing the Northern Lights up here near the Canadian border in Minnesota. My total number of sleep hours remains small, but the fun quotient is HUGE! Obviously the 365 “Days” of bird photo project must be continued. Thus, here are my aurora birds!

However, before the Aurora bird photos, here is one of my photos from my Northern Lights night sessions (see next blog entry for many more). This particular photo has gone viral via Flickr Explore, and has had several thousands views so far in just a couple of hours.

Northern Lights Over Boulder Lake
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Day 217: Dive, Captain Dive: Ruby Throated Hummingbird
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Day 218: Canadian Geese in Final Landing Approach
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Day 219: Great Blue Heron Inspecting Me!
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