Birding
I started my birding journey during the summer months of the 2020 pandemic watching backyard birds and I instantly fell in love with birds! One thing lead to another, and I bought a pair of binoculars, a camera, zoom lens and most importantly, joined eBird. I love the challenge of growing my life list, learning about bird ID field marks, trying to photograph as many birds as possible and making friends with other bird watchers. I am also curious about ornithology, though admittedly I don’t know much about it!
So far, I’ve seen 1053 bird species worldwide, including 497 in India and 494 in USA (check out my full eBird profile here). I am particularly fond of Indian birding, and in March 2023, I got a chance to speak at the Hampshire Bird Club on my birding adventures in India. Check out the presentation on this link!
In this page I’ve posted some bird photographs I clicked during my first year as a bird watcher (2020-21). My more recent photos are available on eBird (link), I will post some of them here when I get a chance. All photographs here have been taken using a Canon EOS 90D with a Sigma 100-400mm Contemporary DG OS HSM lens. All photos use shutter priority with auto-ISO and optical stabilization. Shutter speed is generally 1/640 for stationary birds and 1/800 for birds in flight. I also often over-expose birds in flight (using 1-2 stops of exposure compensation) due to white skies. To see the original resolution picture, right-click and open the image in a new tab, or download the image.
White-eyed Buzzard (Butastur teesa)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/white_eyed_buzzard.jpg)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/kinglet.jpg)
Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/pine_grosbeak.jpg)
Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/red_necked_phalarope.jpg)
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/robin.jpg)
Willet (Tringa semipalmata)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/willet.jpg)
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/northern_waterthrush.jpg)
Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/red_crossbill.jpg)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/yellow_rumped_warbler.jpg)
Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/snowy.jpg)
Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/evening_grosbeak.jpg)
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/bald_eagle.jpg)
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Veery (Catharus fuscescens)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/veery.jpg)
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/tree_swallow.jpg)
Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons)
Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/snow_goose.jpg)
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/finch.jpg)
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
![](https://martiansideofthemoon.github.io/assets/birding/mallard.jpg)
Peregrine Falcon ( Falco peregrinus)