Got Beetle?

I knew, going into today, that it was going to be a rough one for a variety of reasons. So I had low expectations for getting a blip... I basically envisioned an iPhone blip of my shoe... :-/

I got through the meat of the day and actually felt like picking up my camera, so a little hope for a decent blip returned. While I was talking on the phone, an oriole came to feed on our oranges and didn't freak out at the sight of my camera. So, through the dirty window I snapped while I talked and got a nice shot. Done! The blipping day wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! After my call, I picked up my camera to head to the computer and see what I got... but before I got too far this Rose-Breasted Grosbeak landed next to the oranges. I thought to myself, "Do Grosbeaks like oranges?" Well, I still don't have the answer to that question, because he abandoned the oranges for my dog's water bowl on the deck. "Is he going to take a bath??" Nope. There was a live, giant beetle swimming around in the water... Dinner for the Grosbeak! I couldn't get a good shot through the glass at that angle. So I quietly slipped out the side door and made my way back to the deck. He was still there under a small table eating away. He saw me, but just peeped like a baby bird might do (soft, quiet little noises). Eventually he moved to the edge of the deck, but he was determined to finish the beetle and didn't care that I did the duck walk to get closer and closer. Once I got to about 8 feet in front of him I decided not to push it any further. He stayed until he was finished, peeping occasionally as he ate every last bite.

My ISO was up as high as I wanted go and my DOF was already narrow, so I had to manage a clear shot at a shutter speed of 1/125 at a focal length of 270mm... hand held... I was so please to see the results on the computer! Not too many blurry images. This on was my favorite expression during his beetle feast. I also posted an Oriole and a less clear, but humorous Grosbeak on Flickr.

I think this guy is good to go large. And if you are interested, here is the female RB Grosbeak I posted earlier this week... I've been trying to get a shot of this male since then.