Nikon Z9 Backyard Birds

by Stanley LearyPhotography

Northern cardinal in our backyard. [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 8000, 1/500, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 600)]

“Cardinals appear when angels are near”

– Victoria McGovern

Today we had winter advisory for our area. So, I was having to stay put and decided to use this as opportunity to photograph birds in our backyard.

House Sparrow [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/2000, ƒ/11, (35mm = 600)]

When there isn’t snow the photos look like this. The snow changes the lighting, background and when the snow is falling creates more depth with snow surrounding the birds.

Cassin’s Finch & Brown-Headed Nuthatch [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 2500, 1/640, ƒ/5, (35mm = 420)]

When the snow started to fall the trees were still not covered.

Female Northern Cardinal [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 2500, 1/640, ƒ/5, (35mm = 420)]

Slowly through the day the snow steadily came down. Changing the look of the same spots where the birds came to feed.

Pine Warbler [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 2500, 1/800, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 420)]

One of the fun things to do is research and see what is visiting the backyard bird feeders.

Bluebird [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 6400, 1/800, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 600)]

White-breasted Nuthatch [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/1250, ƒ/11, (35mm = 600)]
Red-bellied Woodpecker [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 25600, 1/2000, ƒ/8, (35mm = 600)]

Eastern Phoebes [NIKON Z 9, VR 120-300mm f/2.8G, Mode = Manual, ISO 8000, 1/500, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 600)]