Critters

My 75-300mm telephoto lens disappeared mysteriously over the last year, basically since we went to view the total solar eclipse near Waco, Texas, last year. The lost lens may eventually turn up, since we’re not generally that lax with keeping and caring for our equipment, but (s-word) happens.

So, in the meantime, before (and if) the old lens shows up, we ordered a new telephoto lens for my Canon EOS Rebel T6i camera, namely a Canon EF100-300mm replacement for the lost lens. To be sure, the new lens is somewhat superior to the old one, since it is lighter, has less chromatic aberration and is more compact than the “lost” lens.

As a quick functional test of the newly received lens, the photo above was taken of a white winged dove that perched on the bird feeder crook in the back of the house. The photo above was taken through the new lens at about a range of fifteen yards and cropped down to feature the bird. Thankfully, there seems to be no signs of chromatic aberration and the bird’s features come through very well.

Now, if the old lens turns up, it will go to one of the local charitable foundations for resale in their thrift store. The new lens, will be available for more shots like this of wildlife or whatever presents itself as we continue to photograph the world around us, both at home and on the road.

I have been observing a cactus wren nest in a cholla cactus by the west fence for a few days. I frequently see one of the wrens attending to the nest as though there may be hatchlings in it.

Today, I was lucky enough to see one of the wrens coming out of the nest. I had my Canon EOS Rebel SL3 with me on my morning walk and got the photo above. Canon Normal Program Mode with EF55-250 lens set at a focal length of 250mm.

Click on the image to enlarge.

A male cardinal “hiding” behind dead cholla branches:

A pair of cactus wrens on the block feeder:

A house finch looking at the camera:

Finally, a white-tailed antelope ground squirrel foraging:

Click on the images to enlarge.

During the morning walk, I saw several small birds flitting about up where the feeders are located in back of the house and RV drive. I took a photo of one of them perched on a rosemary shrub back there and another photo of three up in the denuded mesquite tree where some of the feeders hang.

I looked at the photos after downloading them and saw that the birds were House Sparrows (Passer domesticus). There are usually many of these birds present around the feeders most of the time during the day unless there is a predator about.

More about the House Sparrow at All About Birds:

House Sparrows aren’t related to other North American sparrows, and they’re differently shaped. House Sparrows are chunkier, fuller in the chest, with a larger, rounded head, shorter tail, and stouter bill than most American sparrows.

Male House Sparrows are brightly colored birds with gray heads, white cheeks, a black bib, and rufous neck – although in cities you may see some that are dull and grubby. Females are a plain buffy-brown overall with dingy gray-brown underparts. Their backs are noticeably striped with buff, black, and brown.

Clickable photos below . . .

Camera – Canon EOS Rebel SL3 with EF-55-250 lens at 250mm. (P)rogram Automatic camera mode, autofocus. Images cropped and resized. Click to enlarge.