C&C - Some Florida birds!

[Brendan7]

Hi all,


I've been getting some time each day for some bird photography down here in FL, so far 3 out of 4 days have been overcast/rainy but the forecast predicts sunny weather for at least the next five days. Anyway, here are the best so far. I actually realized that overcast weather can help photography, because with no sunlight penetrating the clouds there are fewer photographers and idiots that throw food at the birds AND fewer nasty shadows on the birds. :)


All images taken w/ 7D, 300 f/4IS.


American Coot - f7.1, 1/320, ISO 640.


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Female Anhinga ~ f/8.0, 1/500, ISO 640.


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Pied-Billed Grebe ~ f8.0, 1/400, ISO 640.


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Green Heron ~ f9.0, 1/500, ISO 640.


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I'm not sure what to make of this one, while it does seem overexposed at first the whites in the bird are true, and I sort of like the abstract-y feel of it. Opinions?


Great Egret ~ f8.0, 1/250, ISO 400.


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That's all for now, all critique is appreciated.


Brendan

[nathansym]

Love the lat picture (of the white egret)

[Sheiky]

Cool birds!



Green Heron ~ f9.0, 1/500, ISO 640.


Haha it doesn't really look green to me, nice colors that's for sure, but I wouldn't know why they called it a green heron [:P]


Anyway your pictures look good Brendan and I could see why you enjoy it out there, lovely wildlife!



I'm not sure what to make of this one, while it does seem overexposed at first the whites in the bird are true, and I sort of like the abstract-y feel of it. Opinions?


Love the artsy thing in the wings, but I don't really like it that I can't separate head from rest of the body due to the whites. A little bit more cropping so it isn't in the center would maybe make it a bit stronger as well.


Have fun the rest of your trip!


Jan

[Brendan7]

Haha it doesn't really look green to me, nice colors that's for sure, but I wouldn't know why they called it a green heron /emoticons/emotion-4.gif


True. Whoever names all these birds had a very creative mind. Sometimes the name isn't accurate (Green Heron), sometimes it's rather weird (think: Blue footed booby ~ the spaniards named it a booby or "dunce" because it was unafraid of humans) and sometimes the name hampers identification ~ the American Goldfinch male is golden yellow, but only in summer. Females, juveniles and winter males are actually quite pale.


About that egret, it was actually an accident! I was taking pictures of a moorhen when the Egret flew overhead; I didn't have time to adjust settings and so at first I thought it was washed out. Still having mixed opinions about that one.


brendan

[Sheiky]

Brendan one thing: I see that you use "tweener" iso settings. From what I've heard, iso640 is nothing more than iso800 metering and then adjusted 1/3 of a stop. So quality-wise it wouldn't make sense to use it. Just wanted to say that. I don't know what reasons you have and I guess at these ISO values the damage isn't great, but with larger values you might want to check it out.



True. Whoever names all these birds had a very creative mind


I really don't get it. Sorry I'm also not really a "birdsman" so I don't have any idea, but I never would have guessed the right color if they asked me [:D]


Jan

[Brendan7]

Brendan one thing: I see that you use "tweener" iso settings. From what I've heard, iso640 is nothing more than iso800 metering and then adjusted 1/3 of a stop. So quality-wise it wouldn't make sense to use it. Just wanted to say that. I don't know what reasons you have and I guess at these ISO values the damage isn't great, but with larger values you might want to check it out.


I didn't know that! I don't really have a reason to be using 640 is 800 is basically the same. I understand photography from the artistic perspective more than the tech perspective and don't really get all the....complicated stuff. [um]

[neuroanatomist]

I see that you use "tweener" iso settings. From what I've heard, iso640 is nothing more than iso800 metering and then adjusted 1/3 of a stop. So quality-wise it wouldn't make sense to use it.


True. Personally, I have C.Fn I-2 set to 1 so only full stop ISOs are available. That also makes it much easier to rapidly adjust my ISO. Note that if you use Auto ISO, the camera will still use the 'tweener' 1/3 stop ISOs even withC.Fn I-2 set to full stops.

[Brendan7]

Going to Wakodahatchee Wetlands tomorrow, me thinks [ip]

[Sheiky]

I use that option for a while now. I don't really use autoiso, but I will believe you for that matter. I find it very easy and much more relaxt to change my iso quickly a step higher when I really need to. I rather have a constant iso and change aperture or shutterspeed to control the light then have iso control things for me.


Brendan, you'll never be outlearned believe me [:D]

[Brendan7]

rather have a constant iso and change aperture or shutterspeed to control the light then have iso control things for me.


For me, aperture cannot be changed. I usually need a narrow aperture of at least f/5.6, sometimes f/8, f/9, and not unusually f11. Shutter Speed has to remain high, birds are highly mobile. And so I end up boosting ISO, with the 7D I can shoot ISO 1250 no sweat.



Brendan, you'll never be outlearned believe me /emoticons/emotion-2.gif


It's true [8-|]

[Brendan7]

One more :)


f8, 1/200, ISO 500.


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[MrGreenBug]

Stunning photo of the white egret!!!

[crosbyharbison]

I'm a fan of your second image in your first post.

[Brendan7]

Thanks Mr Greenbug.


Crosbyharbison, that one is my favorite too. Hope to get some more shooting 2day :)

[Jayson]

Love the last picture. I maybe blown out a little bit in this case, but it really works. I like it.


Nice work on the others as well. I got a chuckle out of the feet on that first bird. Haven't seen feet like that before, but then again, I am from the sticks.


Jayson

[Brendan7]

It's true, those coots have HUGE feet; it's for walking on lillypads and fighting with each other (coots are extremely pugnacious).

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

nice set Brendan, images are all sharpers and well exposed this time. Pay attention to the head angle, the coots, anhinga and the greenie are looking away from you, only the grebe has good head angle. I like the egret affect, however looks like you missed the focus on the head, it looks soft.

[Brendan7]

Pay attention to the head angle


Will do!



I like the egret affect, however looks like you missed the focus on the head, it looks soft.


Thanks! It was a complete accident, I was photographing a Glossy Ibis in the water and didn't have time to change settings for the BIF shot....