Post your best bird shots!

[Joel Eade]

Thanks Steve,


I put up various perches, use them for awhile and then change to something else. This was the branch I used last Saturday morning and got several different birds to perch on it. (I have about 4 acres of woods so there is a never ending supply of branches falling).


I guess I should be more careful not to post too many images with the same perch but I have found, by setting things a certain way, you can predict where the birds will land and thus increase your odds of getting keeper images. The biggest challenge is that these little birds seldom stop moving even when perched.


Joel

[JJphoto]

(I have about 4 acres of woods so there is a never ending supply of branches falling).

4 acres?!!!, I can't imagine a 4 acres backyard in where I live, nice!!!

[Steve U]

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

[Joel Eade]

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

[Joel Eade]

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

[Andy Stringer]

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.


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?

[bob williams]

Andy, Welcome aboard. This is a great shot---But it

[Andy Stringer]

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)...


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)


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.

[JJphoto]

Welcome Andy, those are nice shots, like it very much!


We don

[dsiegel5151]

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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!