How can I take better pictures of this scene

[JJphoto]

these two pictures show there are 3 nets on the tree, and from the cropped one you can clearly see baby heronses. I took this picture from far distance( from the east to west in the afternoon) the tree is pretty high, but I can get close to the tree in any direction. because I can't fly like a hummingbird, so i really want to hear some suggestion from you guys,and I'm going to take some pictures on Friday.my longest lens is 300mm plus 1.4X TC and 1.6X cropped body.


no helicopter please!


thanks!


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[Bill W]

JJ....I have similar situation w/my GBH rookery, it's surrounded by water and I shoot w/a 100-400 on a 40D.


My suggestion for you is to try to rent a larger lens, e.g. 500 f4 and to shoot facing the west in early morning light and vice versa in the later afternoon light.


GBH rookeries are great location for shooting....good luck

[JJphoto]

Ok, I went to shoot the GBH rookery. kind of disappointed, I didn't have enough time to wait for something great, also 420mm plus cropped body still wasn't long enough to get good shots.anyway, here is couple of shots I took at about 4:00/pm and I thought you guys might be interested to take a look. the first picture is an uncropped picture just to show how close I could get.I'll try to shoot in the morning as soon as I get a chance. I also tried B&W, it didn't seem like excited either. thanks for viewing.


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[mbaltrusitis]

You are not too far off with your current composition. I would definitely consider returning at sunset/sunrise depending on which will give you better cover. If you can't get more color in there though, it would make a very nice looking B&W conversion, great shapes in there.

[Rodger]

Looks like a nice spot! I agree with the others' suggestions. I think the composition is good, but go back at another time.


I would go there a half hour before sunrise and stay a half hour after. Same with sunset, although I wouldn't stay after lol. But nature photography isn't my forte.


-Rodger

[Dan Fleming]

I would suggest evolving wings... [:P]


In all seriousness different light, or time which would achieve different light, is the ideal. (seeing as that is what everyone is saying!) If you can figure out some habits of those birds, when they are most likely to be in the nest, when the parents feed flightless young etc that could improve the interest level too.

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

why can't you get close? Is the area fenced off?

[Chuck Lee]

why can't you get close? Is the area fenced off?

I would guess altitude. The closer one gets the higher the nests.


Not quite as easy as water fowl at sea level..........LOL!!! [] (forgive me, I couldn't resist..[6]) You know I admire your work.


I had that problem with shooting an architectural shot not too long ago. Mounted my camera on my Paul Buff 13 foot light stand. Stood it up in the back of a pickup truck and fired the remote release with 10 sec timer to allow all vibration to settle. I was shooting at 17mm on a full frame camera. I could not begin to think how difficult the composition would be at this compound focal length. ? 448mm equiv. ?


Obviously, the higher the better and the longer the focal length the better. Also, remember relative humidity and try on a evening or morning that is fairly dry. Atmosphere is a killer on long range shots. Try to pick a day after a high pressure system has moved in.


Oh, and good luck!!