Pretty Female Martin

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1 Ron Vasser
Posts: 584
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:26 pm
Location: Georgia/Rome

She is a beauty!

This is my first female of the year and she came home with a mate. I have 6 males and 3 females today and the males are making frequent runs to the colony with new birds in tow.

Image

Ron

Nikon D300 with 300mm
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MidTNJerry
Posts: 105
Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2011 9:14 am
Location: Tennessee/Murfreesboro

That picture really makes you appreciate nature. Look at how each individual feather on the wings blends into the others.
2013 -
2012 - Dawnsong CD playing every morning. Many, many visitors.
2011 - Many visitors.
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D'Nese
Posts: 450
Joined: Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:09 pm
Location: Unionville, TN

As usual Ron you take wonderful pics!!!!! enjoy!
D'Nese in Tennessee


2009-new house up, many visitors no one stayed
2010-3 pairs, 14 eggs, 9 babies 9 fledged
2011 20 pairs, 106 eggs, 79 fledged
2012 37 pair, 120 fledged
2013 37 pair, 173 fledged
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Leandortree
Posts: 130
Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:10 pm
Location: Saskatchewan/Grenfell

Hi Ron,

This Photograph is FANTASTIC

Thanks for sharing

Leandor
Saskatchewan "The land of living skies"
Leandortree colony
2012-46 pair 200+ Fledged
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Billy Stephens
Posts: 97
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 2:29 pm
Location: South Carolina/New Ellenton

Very Pretty, She looks nice and healthy. You would never know she just flew so far!

Billy
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Jim Rockford
Posts: 81
Joined: Sun Mar 19, 2006 12:35 pm
Location: Texas/North Richland Hills

Ron,

As always, a great pic! Thanks for posting. As a wannabe photographer to a real one, how in the world do you take a picture of a martin in flight with a 300 mm lens!?

Ed
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Don~VA
Posts: 391
Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:01 am
Location: Virginia/King George
Martin Colony History: Had a colony many years ago which dwindled over a couple of years and then did not return. Kept trying each year for almost 20 years and finally had a small success in 2011 with two pairs nesting. Colony has grown slowly each year with 22 pairs in 2015. In 2016 my gourd rack of 18 gourds filled up so I added 4 more gourds and then put up a small rack of 6 gourds. All of those were claimed within a few days so I believe I have at least 25 pairs this year.

Thanks Ron! I have been waiting for your first pic of the year and it is Beautiful as always.
Don~Northern Neck of Virginia-PMCA Member
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DakotaLady
Posts: 654
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:06 pm
Location: Bismarck, ND

Gorgeous photo of your female martin. Thank you for sharing.

I can hardly wait another month and half for martins to appear around this area.
~Tangula~

2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
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Matt F.
Posts: 3978
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:48 am
Location: Houston, TX

Great photo Ron!
Image
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birdy girl
Posts: 1179
Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:09 am
Location: Mississippi/Dumas

I really enjoy your martin photos. Hope you will post more soon.
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Keith
Posts: 435
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:45 pm
Location: Missouri/Ava
Martin Colony History: 85 pair in 2020. Seems fairly consistent the last few years.

Very nice Ron.
I can practically count the wing and tail feathers. I always enjoy the photos you put on here.
Keith
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Pappy
Posts: 15
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:37 pm
Location: Mississippi, Bay St Louis

Ron
Is that picture straight from the camera, or do you use a software program to enhance the photo. Picture has very fine detail.
Pappy
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Doug Martin - PA
Posts: 1988
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.

This one is so outstanding she now graces the background for the desktop on my computer.

Nice photo Ron!!
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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stan kostka
Posts: 154
Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 7:59 pm
Location: Washington, Seattle

Hi Ron,

Nice shot. Is it just my eyes, or my screen, or does this bird have some noticeable trace of yellow in the breast and crissum ? I've never ever read any description of martin plumage that included the word yellow. Did you adjust the colors at all ? or is this perhaps a reflection of something on the ground ?
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tonyg
Posts: 1520
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
Location: Olpe, KS
Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..

Ron your an inspiration..bought a Nikon 7000 with 300mm for Christmas..probably will never be able to take a pic like you..but I will damn well try...keep them coming.
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landonn
Posts: 282
Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2009 7:50 am
Location: Indiana/Logansport

Great photo.

Landonn
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zoefluf
Posts: 587
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2006 5:51 pm
Location: Bush, Louisiana

Ron,
Your pictures are just one of the many reasons that I look forward to Martin season each year. Please keep them coming. 8)
Jeanne
"Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap, yet your heavenly Father feeds them."
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1 Ron Vasser
Posts: 584
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2004 8:26 pm
Location: Georgia/Rome

Thanks folks!

Pappy wrote:Ron
Is that picture straight from the camera, or do you use a software program to enhance the photo. Picture has very fine detail.
Pappy, I do have some software but spend little time with it.

stan kostka wrote:Hi Ron,

Nice shot. Is it just my eyes, or my screen, or does this bird have some noticeable trace of yellow in the breast and crissum ? I've never ever read any description of martin plumage that included the word yellow. Did you adjust the colors at all ? or is this perhaps a reflection of something on the ground ?
Stan, she shouldn't have any yellow. It may be the white balance is off, color calibration, or posting to the web. I could and probably should shoot a gray card in the same light and get the proper white balance but I just grab a quick shot most of the time. Good eye!

Ron
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diane davis-ms
Posts: 131
Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:29 am
Location: Baxterville, ms
Martin Colony History: Last colony I had was in 2015.

Great Photo RON!! :grin:
I SURE ENJOY YOUR PHOTO'S :grin: They are very good!!!
~Diane~
purple martin addict!
pmca member.
2015 sy's males here hoping for new colony!
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