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Helen Betts | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Bird trials tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Bird trials

I've never photographed birds before, but my next-door neighbor set up a feeder like 10 feet from our front door so I've been having fun watching them and trying to get some pictures with my long lens, which I almost never use. It might be better if I could set up a tripod, but if I even move a step, the birds scatter, so I don't think that would work. Anyway, it's good practice for me, and maybe some day I'll be able to take pictures of birds in the wild!
The Cardinal Saga
:: The Cardinal Saga :: 		New neighbor
New neighbor		 Hanger-on
Hanger-on		 Inquisitive
Inquisitive
The last visitor
The last visitor		 Fight at the birdhouse (1)
Fight at the birdhouse (1)		 Fight at the birdhouse (2)
Fight at the birdhouse (2)		 My first 'real' bird!
My first 'real' bird!
The elusive cormorant
The elusive cormorant		 Iridescent
Iridescent		 After a dive
After a dive		 Invasion of the six
Invasion of the six
Buddies
Buddies		 Perch built for two
Perch built for two		 Biding his time
Biding his time		 Opposing views
Opposing views
Eastern screech owl
Eastern screech owl		 Fearless
Fearless		 Resting up
Resting up		 Feeding in concert
Feeding in concert
Bird on a wire
Bird on a wire		 Caught mid-seed
Caught mid-seed		 New perch?
New perch?		 Sharing
Sharing
Distracted
Distracted		 Alone
Alone		 Posing
Posing		 Mr. Duck struts his stuff
Mr. Duck struts his stuff
The contortionist
The contortionist		 Red-tailed hawk high above Fort Washington
Red-tailed hawk high above Fort Washington		 Two birds passing
Two birds passing		 Invader
Invader
Taken aback
Taken aback		 Confrontation
Confrontation		 Lookout
Lookout		 Mother osprey on her nest
Mother osprey on her nest
Soaring osprey
Soaring osprey		 Touchdown
Touchdown		 Two cormorants floating along
Two cormorants floating along		 Getting ready to go fishing
Getting ready to go fishing
Diving for an audience
Diving for an audience		 Osprey catches its lunch
Osprey catches its lunch		 Takeout lunch
Takeout lunch		 If looks could kill...
If looks could kill...
Heron on a golden island
Heron on a golden island		 Redeye
Redeye		 Redwing
Redwing		 Feeding
Feeding
Basking
Basking		 Ruffled feathers
Ruffled feathers		 Bad 'hair' day
Bad 'hair' day		 Dogfight
Dogfight
Coming in for a landing
Coming in for a landing		 Sitting still
Sitting still		 Rear view
Rear view		 Starling with attitude
Starling with attitude
Robin head-on
Robin head-on		 Even sparrows like to pose
Even sparrows like to pose		 Silvery starling
Silvery starling		 Old standbys
Old standbys
Feather-do
Feather-do		 Bird bath
Bird bath		 Looking at me looking at you
Looking at me looking at you		 Showing off those feathers
Showing off those feathers
Showy starling
Showy starling		 Crow watch
Crow watch		 Keeping an eye out
Keeping an eye out		 The attentive sparrow
The attentive sparrow
The leaf collector
The leaf collector		 Strange bath-fellows
Strange bath-fellows		 Starling stepping
Starling stepping		 Frazzled starling
Frazzled starling
The vulture has landed
The vulture has landed		 Fearless vulture
Fearless vulture		 A peek into the life of Mr. & Mrs. Vulture (1)
A peek into the life of Mr. & Mrs. Vulture (1)		 A peek into the life of Mr. & Mrs. Vulture (2)
A peek into the life of Mr. & Mrs. Vulture (2)
Vulture talk
Vulture talk		 The gasket eater
The gasket eater		 Starling love
Starling love		 The inquisitive starling
The inquisitive starling
Roosevelt Island resident
Roosevelt Island resident		 A cute sparrow
A cute sparrow		 Late afternoon snack
Late afternoon snack		 Lunch
Lunch
Osprey and catch
Osprey and catch		 The very distant heron
The very distant heron		 For comparison
For comparison		 The red wing
The red wing
The entertainers
The entertainers		 Keeping an eye on Stevie the chicken
Keeping an eye on Stevie the chicken		 A blue jay at last!
A blue jay at last!		 Noisy but beautiful
Noisy but beautiful
The outsider
The outsider		 Headless
Headless		 With head
With head		 Sunlit
Sunlit
Sparrow triangle
Sparrow triangle		 Posing on the bark
Posing on the bark		 Hiding in the grass
Hiding in the grass		 Enjoying the greenery
Enjoying the greenery
Backyard sparrow
Backyard sparrow		 Across the water: In flight
Across the water: In flight		 Across the water: Not all that impressed
Across the water: Not all that impressed		 Across the water: Lift off
Across the water: Lift off
Across the water: Face off
Across the water: Face off		 Across the water: Three's a crowd
Across the water: Three's a crowd		 Just sittin'
Just sittin'		 Robin in a tree
Robin in a tree
Osprey in flight
Osprey in flight		 Sunbathing
Sunbathing		 The squawker
The squawker		 Still making a racket
Still making a racket
Fearless
Fearless		 Posing
Posing		 Eating crow
Eating crow		 Sitting pretty
Sitting pretty
Heavy load
Heavy load		 Out in the open
Out in the open		 Demure sparrow
Demure sparrow		 Intent
Intent
Enjoying the sun
Enjoying the sun		 Lunchtime
Lunchtime		 Entertaining birds
Entertaining birds		 Basking
Basking
Enjoying the spotlight
Enjoying the spotlight		 Alert
Alert		 Crow chaser
Crow chaser		 Three birds in a tree
Three birds in a tree
The accommodating dove
The accommodating dove		 Surprisingly colorful
Surprisingly colorful		 Still enjoying that tidbit
Still enjoying that tidbit		 Shades of Halloween
Shades of Halloween
Duck reflected
Duck reflected		 Lookout
Lookout		 Confederate birds
Confederate birds		 Inquisitive
Inquisitive
Tidbit
Tidbit		 Unexpected visitor to the National Mall
Unexpected visitor to the National Mall		 Me and my reflection
Me and my reflection		 Just an unprepared test shot
Just an unprepared test shot
Air superiority
Air superiority		 Hot pursuit
Hot pursuit		 Dive bomber
Dive bomber		 Commotion
Commotion
Just floating
Just floating		 Seagull on ice
Seagull on ice		 The confrontation
The confrontation		 Taking a snooze
Taking a snooze
Awkward moment
Awkward moment		 Inquisitive looking
Inquisitive looking		 Eye to eye
Eye to eye		 The poseur
The poseur
Head-on
Head-on		 Chilly sparrow
Chilly sparrow		 Taking in the color
Taking in the color		 Weighing all options
Weighing all options
The latest in bird feeders
The latest in bird feeders		 The R sparrow
The "R" sparrow		 The mantle
The mantle		 The detailed sparrow
The detailed sparrow
The return of Mrs. Cardinal
The return of Mrs. Cardinal		 New neighbor
New neighbor		 Looks like a baby to me
Looks like a baby to me		 Surveying the neighborhood
Surveying the neighborhood
The elusive crow
The elusive crow		 Deep thoughts
Deep thoughts		 The beggar
The beggar		 Happy to pose
Happy to pose
Savoring his catch
Savoring his catch		 Construction worker
Construction worker		 A mouthful and then some
A mouthful and then some		 The moth-catcher, again
The moth-catcher, again
Sparrow haven
Sparrow haven		 Watching
Watching		 Bird on a wire
Bird on a wire		 'Mine!'
'Mine!'
Bathing bird
Bathing bird		 Surprise visitor
Surprise visitor		 The inquisitive flicker
The inquisitive flicker		 The showoff
The showoff
Wet sparrow
Wet sparrow		 Another bather
Another bather		 Hot sparrow
Hot sparrow		 Portrait of a wet sparrow
Portrait of a wet sparrow
Sparrow confab
Sparrow confab		 Chilly sparrow
Chilly sparrow		 Starling grabs a bite
Starling grabs a bite		 Starling takes off
Starling takes off
Cuteness personified
Cuteness personified		 Just hangin' out
Just hangin' out		 ‘Where have all the starlings gone…’
‘Where have all the starlings gone…’		 The Christmas sparrow
The Christmas sparrow
Got my eye on you
Got my eye on you		 Perky bird on a garage
Perky bird on a garage		 ‘Really?? But I was here first!’
‘Really?? But I was here first!’		 Incoming seed missile
Incoming seed missile
The starling tree
The starling tree		 Three's a crowd
Three's a crowd		 Caught mid-squawk
Caught mid-squawk		 'Uh, hello'
'Uh, hello'
Odd bird out
Odd bird out		 Sparrow and a red brick garage
Sparrow and a red brick garage		 'I was just leaving'
'I was just leaving'		 Red head
Red head
Waaay up in a tree
Waaay up in a tree		 Slow-mo
Slow-mo		 Unexpected visitor
Unexpected visitor		 Puffed up sparrow
Puffed up sparrow
'Mind if I join you?’
'Mind if I join you?’		 The unperturbed robin
The unperturbed robin		 Sparrow missing out on the bird feeder
Sparrow missing out on the bird feeder		 The encounter
The encounter
Sparrow in the sun
Sparrow in the sun		 Return of the starlings
Return of the starlings		 Welcome visitor
Welcome visitor		 Sparrow distancing
Sparrow distancing
Bath interrupted
Bath interrupted		 Happy to pose
Happy to pose		 The elusive blue jay
The elusive blue jay		 Beats a carpenter bee any day
Beats a carpenter bee any day
Twilight starling
Twilight starling		 Telling him off
Telling him off		 Sparrow on a hot tin roof
Sparrow on a hot tin roof		 Finally, a sparrow in a tree!
Finally, a sparrow in a tree!
Next door sparrow
Next door sparrow		 The contemplative robin
The contemplative robin		 Fancy feather-do
Fancy feather-do		 Sparrow eye
Sparrow eye
The pensive robin
The pensive robin		 Taking a snooze
Taking a snooze		 Pondering the next move
Pondering the next move		 Heavy load
Heavy load
Perturbed
Perturbed		 Unconcerned
Unconcerned		 ‘You lookin’ at me?’
‘You lookin’ at me?’		 Turret watchbird
Turret watchbird
Taking a break
Taking a break		 Catbird on a hot iron fence
Catbird on a hot iron fence		 Trying to cool off
Trying to cool off		 Punk starling
Punk starling
New bird on the alley
New bird on the alley		 Bedraggled
Bedraggled		 Still here
Still here		 'I give up!'
'I give up!'
‘Maybe I overdid it…’
‘Maybe I overdid it…’		 Bad hair day
Bad hair day		 ‘Splish splash (I was takin’ a bath)’
‘Splish splash (I was takin’ a bath)’		 Perky Supreme Court visitor
Perky Supreme Court visitor
Federal Reserve blue jay
Federal Reserve blue jay		 Young blue jay
Young blue jay		 The Fed grackle
The Fed grackle		 Blue jay at work
Blue jay at work
The catch
The catch		 The acrobatic fisherman
The acrobatic fisherman		 The snack
The snack		 ‘I see you!’
‘I see you!’
Well Fed
Well Fed		 The (only) Arboretum bird
The (only) Arboretum bird		 Four eating, nine lined up
Four eating, nine lined up		 Romance at the bird feeder?
Romance at the bird feeder?
Cutthroat competition
Cutthroat competition		 Egret and reflections
Egret and reflections		 Hanging around the monastery
Hanging around the monastery		 Surrounded by friends
Surrounded by friends
Sunbathers
Sunbathers		 Well fed
Well fed		 Egret celebrating his catch
Egret celebrating his catch		 ‘You lookin’ at me?’
‘You lookin’ at me?’
The curious sparrow
The curious sparrow		 The pause that refreshes
The pause that refreshes		 Sparrow on our fence
Sparrow on our fence		 ‘Uh, is this really a skull I’m standing next to?!’
‘Uh, is this really a skull I’m standing next to?!’
One of the last
One of the last		 Profiled
Profiled 		They’re back!
They’re back!		 Mistaken identity
Mistaken identity
A mouthful
A mouthful		 The watchful sparrow
The watchful sparrow		 The good old days
The good old days		 The complainer
The complainer
The conversation
The conversation		 Infrequent visitors
Infrequent visitors		 Hiding in the shadows
Hiding in the shadows		 ‘Sure is bright out here!’
‘Sure is bright out here!’
Gridlock at the bird feeder
Gridlock at the bird feeder		 Early bird gets the worm
Early bird gets the worm		 Spreading its wings
Spreading its wings		 St. Francis and the mockingbird
St. Francis and the mockingbird
The mockingbird again
The mockingbird again		 Change of pace
Change of pace		 The wait
The wait		 Watchful sparrow
Watchful sparrow
Unexpected flyby
Unexpected flyby		 GBH fix
GBH fix		 Drenched
Drenched		 Found
Found
The elusive blue jay
The elusive blue jay		 Camera shy
Camera shy		 ‘My, what a long neck you have’…
‘My, what a long neck you have’… 		Return of the mockingbird
Return of the mockingbird
'Now where is that snack'
'Now where is that snack'		 The only bird…
The only bird…		 Bird-jam at the feeder
Bird-jam at the feeder		 On top of the world
On top of the world
Rooftop starling
Rooftop starling		 Waiting in line
Waiting in line		 Iridescence
Iridescence		 The singing starling
The singing starling
Empty
Empty		 Sitting and watching
Sitting and watching		 Sparrow in a crape myrtle
Sparrow in a crape myrtle		 ‘Uh, I think you’re in my spot’
‘Uh, I think you’re in my spot’
'I wonder for what'
'I wonder for what'		 The apparition
The apparition		 Examining the crape myrtle
Examining the crape myrtle		 Bedraggled
Bedraggled
Graceful perch
Graceful perch		 Back for a New Year’s meal
Back for a New Year’s meal		 The Three Starlings
The Three Starlings		 The Grinch
The Grinch
Unperturbed
Unperturbed		 Backyard sparrow
Backyard sparrow		 Hungry sparrow
Hungry sparrow		 Watching me watching you
Watching me watching you
Annoyed
Annoyed		 Quizzical
Quizzical		 A woodpecker on Capitol Hill!
A woodpecker on Capitol Hill!		 Woodpecker pecking wood
Woodpecker pecking wood
Regular visitors
Regular visitors		 Yellow-bellied sapsucker once again
Yellow-bellied sapsucker once again		 Getting some almost shut-eye
Getting some almost shut-eye		 One among hundreds
One among hundreds
The intense pigeon
The intense pigeon		 Grumpy pigeon
Grumpy pigeon		 Posing in front of the Washington Monument
Posing in front of the Washington Monument		 Accommodating model
Accommodating model
Spreading his wings
Spreading his wings		 Breakfast is served
Breakfast is served		 My first woodpecker
My first woodpecker		 ‘Mine!’
‘Mine!’
Grackle at the doggy bowl
Grackle at the doggy bowl		 Checking out the scene
Checking out the scene		 Yellow-bellied sapsucker, again
Yellow-bellied sapsucker, again		 ‘Is that pesky squirrel still at my feeder??’
‘Is that pesky squirrel still at my feeder??’
Determined grackle
Determined grackle		 Second biggest jerk at the feeder
Second biggest jerk at the feeder		 One of many
One of many		 New wave
New wave
The curious starling
The curious starling		 Another elusive woodpecker
Another elusive woodpecker		 Intent
Intent		 Posing for pictures
Posing for pictures
Next-door starling
Next-door starling		 Contemplating the iron fence
Contemplating the iron fence		 Inquisitive starling
Inquisitive starling		 Surrounded by color
Surrounded by color
New bird on the block
New bird on the block		 When all else fails
When all else fails		 Hungry grackle
Hungry grackle		 Disputed territory
Disputed territory
Dove in the shadows
Dove in the shadows		 Contented starling
Contented starling		 One advantage of early spring
One advantage of early spring		 Hungry youngster
Hungry youngster
Feather display
Feather display		 ‘Do you mind??’
‘Do you mind??’		 Monastery robin
Monastery robin		 The contortionist
The contortionist
‘Now how do I get to this stuff??’
‘Now how do I get to this stuff??’		 Contemplating a dip
Contemplating a dip		 Pondering starling
Pondering starling		 Hot starling
Hot starling
Lone bird
Lone bird		 Voracious sparrows
Voracious sparrows		 Interrupted
Interrupted		 Perfectly positioned
Perfectly positioned
In hiding
In hiding		 Catching a ray
Catching a ray		 Determined starling
Determined starling		 A bit agitated
A bit agitated
Sparrow and the ghost bird
Sparrow and the ghost bird		 New neighbors
New neighbors		 Favorite spot
Favorite spot		 The encounter
The encounter
Christmas Day sparrow
Christmas Day sparrow		 Determined sparrow
Determined sparrow		 Wistful sparrow
Wistful sparrow		 Sparrow alert!
Sparrow alert!
Pause that refreshes
Pause that refreshes		 Inconvenient perch
Inconvenient perch		 Hiding in the branches
Hiding in the branches		 ‘Hey, what’s going on up there?!?’
‘Hey, what’s going on up there?!?’
Cold mourning dove
Cold mourning dove		 Furrowed brow
Furrowed brow		 Color coordination
Color coordination		 He’s back!
He’s back!
Fearless
Fearless		 On the wrong side of the alley
On the wrong side of the alley		 High-up starling
High-up starling		 Keeping an eye on things
Keeping an eye on things
Mockingbird enjoying the cherry blossoms
Mockingbird enjoying the cherry blossoms		 Another fearless mourning dove
Another fearless mourning dove		 Looking for a handout
Looking for a handout		 Keeping watch
Keeping watch
Time to go look for lunch
Time to go look for lunch		 Lunch catch
Lunch catch		 Playing hard to get
Playing hard to get 		Heading home, empty-clawed
Heading home, empty-clawed
Blending in with the greenery
Blending in with the greenery		 Accommodating
Accommodating		 Gotcha
Gotcha		 Busy blue jay
Busy blue jay
Oblivious
Oblivious		 Not a show-off for the camera
Not a show-off for the camera		 Finishing off the sunflower
Finishing off the sunflower		 ‘Satisfied’ sparrow
‘Satisfied’ sparrow
Vanishing sparrow
Vanishing sparrow		 Frenzy at the suet feeder
Frenzy at the suet feeder		 Spring sparrow
Spring sparrow		 Resting
Resting
Crowd at the suet feeder
Crowd at the suet feeder		 ‘Quit hogging the bird feeder!’
‘Quit hogging the bird feeder!’		 Back in force
Back in force		 Enjoying the fall leaves
Enjoying the fall leaves
Lineup
Lineup		 The conversation
The conversation		 The shy sparrow
The shy sparrow		 Pretty sparrow
Pretty sparrow
Sunbathing
Sunbathing		 Chilly cardinal
Chilly cardinal		 Most popular spot on our block
Most popular spot on our block		 Puffed-up sparrow
Puffed-up sparrow
Four’s a crowd, in this case
Four’s a crowd, in this case		 ‘Food!’
‘Food!’		 Enjoying a snow cone
Enjoying a snow cone		 Sparrows on an interesting perch
Sparrows on an interesting perch
Finally, a different kind of visitor!
Finally, a different kind of visitor!		 Dining among the skeletons
Dining among the skeletons		 ‘Can’t you hurry it up a bit??’
‘Can’t you hurry it up a bit??’		 5 doves in a tree
5 doves in a tree
The advantage of winter trees
The advantage of winter trees		 Bird bath at the memorial
Bird bath at the memorial		 Singing robin
Singing robin		 Sparrow confab
Sparrow confab
Catbird on a shady wooden fence
Catbird on a shady wooden fence		 The catbird next door
The catbird next door		 Surprise visitor
Surprise visitor		 Unfazed
Unfazed
Dan Opdal10-Jan-2024 23:47
Wonderful Collection! V
carabias20-Jan-2023 13:45
Great variety of birds in your city, Helen! A wonderful gallery. V
Jean D12-Oct-2022 01:02
Terrific collection of bird photos in this gallery, all shot well, Helen. ~V
Buz Kiefer26-Sep-2022 16:48
Outstanding gallery! BV
Dan Greenberg08-Mar-2022 00:26
You have captured a bunch of really great bird images here. Keep them coming! I'm surprised I never posted a gallery level comment yet. ~BV~
ragnarandren09-Oct-2020 19:11
More good pictures, of course! There are plenty already! Sorry for my mistake with the formulation!
ragnarandren09-Oct-2020 19:08
A new branch for you! Well done! Just stay curious and good pictures will come!
fotabug20-Jul-2020 17:05
Love all of your bird images!
Range View 17-May-2020 08:21
Marvelous collection of bird photography Helen.
David.
larose forest photos26-Jan-2020 01:11
You have a remarkable gallery of bird shots, all of them a joy to look at. Very well done, Helen! VV
Nestor Derkach24-Jan-2020 17:19
You have a nice collection of birds shots and there is much time involved getting a decent photo.
You have done a great job assembling this huge gallery of nice sharp shots.
Vote
Marisa Livet26-Dec-2019 13:39
You are really doing well with your photos of birds. It's a splendid gallery, I like visiting it often
exzim10-May-2019 18:18
Stupendous
Richard Chu05-May-2019 18:29
Absolutely awe-inspiring! V
Philip Game05-May-2019 07:48
It's official: the trials have been judged an unqualified success! Beautiful clarity, detail and composition.
Ann Pettigrew15-Feb-2019 21:50
You are making a great start with your bird portraits, Helen! Do you feel as though you see more birds here than where you lived overseas? I am always disappointed in the lack of numbers of species in France.
Alexander Kazakov10-Nov-2018 10:55
Lovely shots! V
exzim27-Sep-2018 17:56
A good image, and I love the title
Range View 16-Aug-2018 23:03
You have taken to the bird photography very well Helen, many super shots in this gallery. V
Barbara
Liz Bickel12-Aug-2018 00:34
Wow! This gallery has really grown. It's full of really top notch images that anyone would be proud of. Super photography.
Buz Kiefer09-Aug-2018 17:02
Excellent gallery with many top notch photos. Vote.
barbarajoy01-Aug-2018 05:41
Excellent gallery Helen! Agree with Tom. V
carol j. phipps30-May-2018 14:46
Lovely Helen.
Wintermeer26-May-2018 22:30
Lovely gallery, you are doing great! ~V~
victorswan24-May-2018 13:12
Wow very nice image of these vultures, we do not come across this sort of thing, beautiful specimens and cleverly portrayed BV
Tom LeRoy25-Apr-2018 08:32
Bird photography is a challenge and you've managed to get many fine shots. Admirable work! V
Pierre16-Apr-2018 12:19
Une très belle aventure la photographie d'oiseaux, bravo pour ce magnifique début et ces superbes photos! V
exzim07-Apr-2018 21:45
Lovely picture, buy the camera.!!
❏07-Apr-2018 16:35
Vote !
danad05-Apr-2018 14:57
At last this is a "tour de force" for your first try ! V.
Buz Kiefer03-Apr-2018 17:12
Great gallery with many lovely photos of a good variety of birds of N. America. Vote.
Jeff Real02-Apr-2018 14:32
This is a great gallery showing us your fascinating bird photography
I admire it
V
John Hamers01-Apr-2018 14:41
This has become a great gallery of bird images. A pleasure to view !V
Paolo Peggi (aka Bracciodiferro)25-Mar-2018 13:43
Amazing photography:brava Helen.V
Paolo
Dave Petersen Photography24-Mar-2018 17:09
A wonderful gallery comprised of images with excellent detail and lighting. Looking forward to seeing more. V
barbarajoy28-Feb-2018 00:42
You are doing very well with bird photography Helen. These are all lovely! V
Zoltán Balogh31-Jan-2018 05:06
I like this new gallery of yours Helen and can't wait to see more and more captures of these lovely birds. V
Patricia Kay27-Jan-2018 12:17
Fabulous collection of beautiful bird images Helen...you are doing great....BV
Don24-Jan-2018 22:40
You're doing wonderfully well as your birds are all full of character.
LynnH24-Jan-2018 17:14
You'll have to create some sort of blind to hide yourself. :) The sparrows are quick to spot movement. :) V
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