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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Thank you Joel, that explains a lot. My few attempts at trying to get good images of the birds around my place hinted to me that there is a lot involved with set up, lens selection and more than anything patience.
The shots from your perches deserve to be in an encyclopedia.(excuse the spelling, if incorrect, but these were big fat books that had beautiful pictures in them. They were used before the internet. heh heh)
Steve
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
JJphoto.....well rural Kentucky is a lot different from Califronia, (I think I remember you being there?) especially real estate prices!!!
I am actually in a rural subdivision but my house is on a cul-de-sac and the "backyard" drops off steeply down to a small creek and farm land behind me. Because of the steepness of the terrain it could not be used to build a residence so my lot is much bigger than average but I really like it....lots of wildlife and lots of privacy.
Joel
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Thanks Steve for the kind words:
The setup is not complicated or expensive, I posted some pictures of it in this forum a few months ago.
Patience, trial and error are the key
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Since I'm quite new here, I'd just like to say that I think this is one of the most interesting threads on the forum, seeing the amazing variety of bird life from all over the planet. I've been visiting for a while, but just got round to joining in. I'll start with one of my favourite shots.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5285/...4be6b2b2_b.jpg
5D Mark II, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM + 1.4x@200mm, f/4, 1/2500s
Emperor Penguins near Snow Hill Island, Antarctica. I say 'near' the island because we were actually on the frozen Weddell Sea here. We were not allowed to approach within 10m of the birds, but there's no rule against them approaching us. I know the guy is using a Nikon, but we're an inclusive bunch here aren't we?
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Andy, Welcome aboard. This is a great shot---But it
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Thanks, Bob. There are not too many Emperors around here either (Aberdeen, Scotland), but just as much snow and ice at the moment. There is plenty more to come from that trip and others. For now, I hope you don't mind another couple of teasers (I'm new to Flickr too, so I'm still uploading stuff there to share here)...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/...cc35b83e_b.jpg
5D Mark II, EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM @400mm, f/5.6, 1/1600s, ISO 100
Emperor penguins jumping from the sea behind our ship (we were parked in the ice at the time)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5050/...20e140b5_b.jpg
5D Mark II, EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM @400mm, f/7.1, 1/2000s, ISO 100
Brown skua harassing an emperor penguin creche. The skuas will eat eggs and tiny chicks, but these chicks are old enough to be safe from attack. The skuas also feed on penguin poo, which is in plentiful supply in the colony.
Both of these are heavily cropped.
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Andy -
Welcome!! Your shots are amazing and I also enjoy reading your explanations of them ...very much looking forward to more photos and education from you!
Denise
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Welcome Andy, those are nice shots, like it very much!
We don
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[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/700x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/0284.Penguin.jpg[/img]
Unfortunately the only time I've ever seen one is at the zoo. But I can always go back and look at my photos and pretend!
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsiegel5151
Unfortunately the only time I've ever seen one is at the zoo.
That doesn't matter, you've posted something that I've never seen in the wild either, so thanks for sharing. Is that a young Magellanic penguin?
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Here's a few with the 300mm f/2.8L IS and 2X extender:
7D: 300mm/f2.8L IS with 2X extender @600mm, f/5.6, 1/1000sec, ISO 200 handheld, un-cropped
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/...fe7edcbf_b.jpg
7D: 300mm/f2.8L IS with 2X extender @600mm, f/5.6, 1/1000sec, ISO 200 handheld, mild crop
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/...3eb5fe64_b.jpg
7D: 300mm/f2.8L IS with 2X extender @600mm, f/6.3, 1/400sec, ISO 400 handheld, un-cropped
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/...c48b0934_b.jpg
C&C Welcome!
Rich
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Still working in the backyard .... difficult to get good light here in winter. I am using off camera flash with Pocket Wizards.
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/5050.343V9857.jpg[/img]
Man, a trip to Antarctica would be a dream come true !!! Nice penguin photos.
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
It looks pretty good to me!
Yeah.., we should all take a road trip together. Wouldn
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joel Eade
Man, a trip to Antarctica would be a dream come true !!! Nice penguin photos.
Thanks Joel. The trip was billed as "adventure travel from the top drawer". At times it was more adventure than travel, and more nightmare than dream, but that's another story for another thread sometime. It all came good in the end.
Meanwhile, back in the northern hemisphere, I'm limited to shooting birds in my back yard. I wish they were as colourful as yours. The first is a couple of years old and the second was a few days ago:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5007/...0def8dcf_b.jpg
Chilly Blackbird, 350D/XT, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 200mm, f/4, 1/60s, ISO 100
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/...660e9ed1_b.jpg
Starling, 1D Mark IV, EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM @ 300mm, f/5.6 1/320s ISO 4000
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Lane
Wouldn't that be cool!
"Cool" doesn't even begin to describe it. "Sub Zero" is closer, on whichever temperature scale you use (except Kelvin or Rankine, of course).
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Just like Nate mentioned it's been raining here in SoCal for 4-5 days, can't go out and shoot, stay at home and digging some older pictures
7D, 300mm, f2.8,1/400, ISO 400. it's a lucky shot at this slow speed.
[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/4265.IMG_5F00_1834.jpg[/img]
this one I shot about a year ago right after I got my 300mm 2.8, it was raining like this year.
7D ,300mm2.8, f4.5, 1/250, ISO 400
[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/5340.IMG_5F00_2513.jpg[/img]
thanks for viewing!
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
JJphoto,
I like the Canada Goose pose but the image has a heavy blue cast ... was this intentional?
Joel
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joel Eade
JJphoto,
I like the Canada Goose pose but the image has a heavy blue cast ... was this intentional?
Joel
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>
thanks Joel for pointing that out, I just thought the color looked a little different but didn't realized that it was too much blue cast, so I went back to the original file and checked that out...... and this is the one without any PP, I think I used Auto white balance, so what you think Joel? wrong white balance?
[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/4150.IMG_5F00_1834.jpg[/img]
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
JJphoto,
I suspect maybe a combination of color temperature and white balance .... if it
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
JJphoto,
I offer the same good wishes to you and yours as well as all the others here....Merry christmas!
Joel
(PS Looking forward to an exciting photography filled new year ... It would be fun to have our own informal "workshop")
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
I used "click" white balance in DPP.
EDIT:
I didn't realize that you had already made an adjustment to your original image until I had made this post. Hope you don't mind!
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/0576.JJphoto.JPG[/img]
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Elberson
I didn't realize that you had already made an adjustment to your original image until I had made this post. Hope you don't mind!
No, not at all Mark, I like the way you did, lt looks more natural now, thanks!
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Great shot JJ and nice editing Mark. Besides the WB correction, the image appears to be creamier for some reason with less harsh reflections on the water.
Rich
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Lucky to have an extreme close-up encounter with these and share with you...
1000D + kit lens @ 55mm, f/8, 1/80 sec, ISO 200
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_7nO3EBpvAsc/TR...0/IMG_0158.JPG
1000D + kit lens @ 55mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO 200
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_7nO3EBpvAsc/TR...0/IMG_0163.JPG
Thanks for viewing!!!
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Hi AnGeio!,
Nice portraits, well done! I am curious about the dark band across the lower part of both images? Were these captives?
This a Hairy Woodpecker from my backyard this morning.....these are VERY shy and will flee at the slightest motion.
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/3326.343V0295.jpg[/img]
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Nice woody photo there! The dark bands are part of the signature.. though they are freely perching in an enclosure and having the looks of it, they
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
I'm sure you've seen enough of my penguin shots now, so here are some birds that can actually fly. These are snow petrels, the most southerly ranging bird in the world. They've even been seen at the South Pole itself, although I was at "only" 64°S for these shots.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5081/5...4a242698_b.jpg
5D Mark II, EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM @300mm, f/6.3, 1/1000s, ISO 100
Many of you will appreciate the challenge of capturing birds in flight, but try one that's the same colour as the background. I nearly filled a 16GB card and this was the only shot I kept. More luck than skill, I think.
When the light started fading, I switched to a wider angle to capture the birds in their environment.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/...3115783f_b.jpg
5D Mark II, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM @ 24mm f/4, 1/160s, ISO 200
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Awesome shots at the south pole. I have this severe aversion to cold. So, not so sure I could make it down there!
here is one I shot over Christmas. I've not been taking bird pics lately.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/...4e1a721f_b.jpg
Canon 50D + 70-200mm f4L @ 200mm f4 1/1250" ISO-100
Thanks for looking!
Dave.
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/8875.Terns-_2600_-Egrets-279-copy.jpg[/img]
Not my best, but certainly my favorite shot. That was one hell of a day and sequence of shots from about 3 years ago.
Don't remember the exact exposure but I know it was on a 1D Mk2 and 300mm f/2.8 L
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
In the right place at the right time.
And then a great shot, well done.
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Great action shot Mike,love it.
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Williams
Very Nice Shot Dave :)
Thanks, Bob.
Great catch on those egrets(sp?), Mike! Glad this thread is coming back around.
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Hi! guys! just got my new 500mm 4.0 and did some test shots[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/3113.IMG_5F00_2276.jpg[/img]
[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/5531.IMG_5F00_2338.jpg[/img]
shot these wide open and only resized to 800 , no cropping, sharpening or any other PP
first impression, maybe a little softer than my 300mm 2.8 but a lot better bokeh, like it very much!
is there any problem of this lens( I mean my copy by seeing these two shots)?, does it need microadjustment?, thanks!
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by JJphoto
is there any problem of this lens?, does it need microadjustment?, thanks!
My copy is very sharp, as sharp as my 300mm F2.8L. I like the bokeh with this lens when it is well defined. I find the bokeh a little harsh for birds on the ground, the grass tends to be course.
On the 5D's that I own, the AF is dead on with no adjustment and its the most accurate lens I have.
I have been playing with the microadjustment on the 7D and don't feel I have it right yet.
Other problems...hopefully it will loose 2 pounds when version II comes out. Maybe a few inches?
Really its a great lens.
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by HDNitehawk
Other problems...hopefully it will loose 2 pounds when version II comes out. Maybe a few inches? I
exactly what I'v been hoping for!, thanks for your inputs.
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Re: Post your best bird shots!
JJphoto,
Those images look very sharp to me....assuming you have no "in camera" sharpening turned on I would say the lens is fine based on the two images you posted....unless you use something like Lens Align, you will just have to shoot pictures to see if there is a problem. If you are getting a percentage of sharp images then I wouldn