Billings Area, March 18th

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More Billings area birding; however I ended up with more mammal photos than avian photos

This was both ends of the day. I started an hour and a half before sun up to go out and watch a Greater Sage Grouse lek (no activity). A few birds in the area, a few hairs out enjoying sunrise near the Prairie Dog town. I left there and headed to an area that is know for Owl activity (heard but no visual spots). I did come across a group of what I believe were hybrid does feeding on the other side of some shrubs, I could not go through/over/under so I shot through, I think it made for something interesting (I love 2.8).

In the evening I headed out to some clifs to check on the birds of prey. Some luck, not really with photos; but a treat to see them at work. I did play around with the 300 and TC's with a Hair and Pigeon.

Billings Area, March 16th

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I swear I am not a birder; but I went out again tonight.

With the incoming weather things were a bit different.
And gave me lots of reason to head out to shoot.

Saw some Horned Larks again.
Saw two Rough-Legged Hawks, one normal one Dark Morph.
Then the usual Canadian Goose, Mallard, Domestic Mallard, a pair of American Wigeon, a Graylag Goose, and from what I could see a few Greater Sage-Grouse hens.

Billings Area, March 15th

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A cloudy (just enough) afternoon gave me perfect reason to drive both ends of town checking on my favorite birding spots to see how this year looks to be coming along.

And the raptors proved to be out in force.

Now I am not really much of a birder so my ID skills are poorer than I would like, and when I am out I really only hope to capture a few images, that are ok'ish/usable.

Later this week it is time to head out to the Sage Grouse lek.