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Birding Photography

The Birds at Baldwin Spring

Baldwin Spring is my favorite bird photography spot in the Black Hills. I just wish some “new” birds would show up. I get photos of the same species every year. It is still fun to sit in my nest and take nice close-up photos. There is a perfect hiding spot (my nest) in between a juniper and some chokecherry bushes just a few feet away from the spring. I know the birds still know I’m there, but they get used to me. In the morning, the sun is behind me and usually the light is pretty nice. Today I carried the 500 f4 on a tripod to the spring. Yesterday I walked from camp, that is about 2 miles each way. I can drive to within a mile or so, depending on which route I take. One route is shorter and then one has to go down (and then up) a steep but short hill, maybe a few hundred yards. The other route is longer and downhill too but not as steep. I usually prefer the shorter route.

Yesterday I put my trail cams out at two trails leading to two other springs. There are no cattle this year so I’m hoping for something exciting to show up.

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Audubon’s race.
Spotted Towhees are a regular at the spring.
There are lots of Red Crossbills this year. They come in an amazing variety of plumages. This one is a juvenile bird, apparently they have already hatched a brood. Sometimes there will be 15-20 of them getting a drink or bathing.
Male Red Crossbill, full color. I have lots of photos.
A Gray Jay. I don’t see this species at the spring very often.
A juvenile Clark’s Nutcracker. I watched one of the parents feeding it. Note the fleshy gape.
American Goldfinch on a nice perch.

2 replies on “The Birds at Baldwin Spring”

Good bird photos. That female crossbill sure has a rainbow of colors. I hope it’s reasonably cool there. We hit 104° on Saturday and today. It doesn’t look like it will improve much this week.

It hasn’t been too bad here, maybe 90 on the hottest day. It helps a lot that I can park the camper in the shade!

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