American Pipit tucked into some rocks – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday morning while photographing birds on Antelope Island I heard then saw a few American Pipits fly overhead and they reminded me of a series of photos I had taken last fall of pipits at Farmington Bay WMA. I had edited some of the pipits photos but hadn’t shared them here yet. Today I am sharing some of those pipit photos before I forget to again.
These are a few of my favorite photos that I have taken of American Pipits. Ever. Part of the reason they are my favorites is because of the sweet morning light. That touch of golden light that I seek in my bird photos.
American Pipit in sweet morning light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The other part of why these are some of my favorite American Pipits photos was the experience of having so many pipits around me that I had a hard time deciding which of them to aim my lens at. The pipits seemed to be every where, on the rocks, the ground, the marsh and the sky.
American Pipit perched on a rock in early morning light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Some of the American pipits were resting, some were active, some were perched and just wagging their tails while others were busy chasing each other around on the rocks or in the air.
American Pipit walking on a pile of rocks – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
With dozens of pipits flying in, flying out and moving around on the rocks or the marsh it was a challenge to decide which bird to have in my viewfinder.
American Pipit perched on some rocks – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
That morning I focused on getting a mix of all the backgrounds that I could and I photographed the pipits at varying distances.
American Pipit in golden light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Some of those pipit photos even turned out looking a bit 3D. The sweet, soft morning light helped with that. This pipit looks as though it could fly off of my screen and land on my desk.
American Pipit shaking its feathers – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I still have hundreds of American Pipit photos to go through from that October morning at Farmington Bay. I might find a few more gems among them.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American Pipit photos plus facts and information about this species.
What a wonderful series of shots! The contrasts and textures you captured, along with the fine detail in the Pipit, are all terrific. Thanks Mia.
What a complete charmer – or to be more accuate series of charmers.
They were obviously enjoying that sweet golden light as much as you were.
This morning (hooray) I didn’t have to re-enter my details to comment.
What a delightful way to start my day! 🙂 These are definitely charmers. I’m drawn back again and again to the second shot – I think it’s the slight head cock that makes this one special.
What a cute little bird. I know we have them around here but I have yet to see one. OR….I have seen them & thought they were LBJs.