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RALPH ELDRIDGE | all galleries >> Galleries >> NATURE NB PHOTOS > 002 MIGRANTS
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May 24, 2011 Rae

002 MIGRANTS

Machias Seal Island, Gulf of Maine

Migration drop-out during the early morning hours of May 24,2011.
Composed mostly of warblers, this typical migrant night flight also included other species.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II ,Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 L IS USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX flash @ high speed sync. full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Kerry 12-Apr-2017 09:44
Thanks for sharing these with us butterflies😀
Carolina 24-Apr-2016 23:51
So very cool, congrats on having such a good job!
Guest 12-Apr-2016 01:19
Thank you for reminding folks to put the needs of the bird Before their desires to photograph them!
RALPH ELDRIDGE11-Apr-2016 23:30
1) it is an active lighthouse? Yes, it's active and manned.
2) if active, was the light on prior to these photos being taken? Yes, the light was on prior, during and after the photos were taken.
3) if not, why not? The light is always on.
4) was the lighthouse turned off when these photos were taken? No.
5) are the lights illuminating the pictures permanently on or just for the photos? The photos are illuminated by an on-camera flash only.
6) where the birds being handled that were apparently not-stressed taken on the same night? No. Some of the photos go back over 6 years. It should be noted that those birds were not being "handled". I simply held my out-stretched hand motionless and allowed the birds to alight, sit and depart completely unprompted as they chose. At no time were they molested.
There seems to be quite a lot of information missing insofar as distinguishing between a natural occurrence, or fallout, versus a concentration resulting from human agency.
Graeme 11-Apr-2016 23:00
These are wonderful photos but I'm curious to know if 1) it is an active lighthouse? 2) if active, was the light on prior to these photos being taken? 3) if not, why not? 4) was the lighthouse turned off when these photos were taken? 5) are the lights illuminating the pictures permanently on or just for the photos? 6) where the birds being handled that were apparently not-stressed taken on the same night? There seems to be quite a lot of information missing insofar as distinguishing between a natural occurrence, or fallout, versus a concentration resulting from human agency.

Thank you, Graeme
RALPH ELDRIDGE11-Apr-2016 11:14
Guest: feeding is an appealing thought but it really isn't a practical option.
First; many of these species are insect eaters. Even with seed eaters, the sheer volume of feed creates problems such as introducing invasive species and disease, to say nothing of the cost and disturbance.
Second; regardless of species, they rarely feed at night. They just want rest.
Third; artificial feeding enticing birds to linger in locations and concentrations that raises the level of predation et cetera.
Guest 11-Apr-2016 00:24
do you feed them at all?
Gail 19-Jun-2014 16:14
Oh my heavens Ralph, look at them all. You are so lucky to see all these like this. Amazing!
Diane 11-Jul-2011 01:32
WOW
Claude Gagnon02-Jul-2011 13:15
Fantastic fall-out!!!!
Guest 06-Jun-2011 16:08
What a small island and what a lot of birds. You were so lucky to be able to see such a site!
Guest 02-Jun-2011 21:40
And another WOW!
Guest 02-Jun-2011 12:19
wow
Guest 27-May-2011 20:20
What an incredible set ofphotos.
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