Post Your Best Nature Shots!

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

Thank you HifiGuy1 and Jon Ruyle,


All images were photographed with 40D, 400 f/5.6L usingAperture Priority,Evaluative Metering, AI Servo AF and if I remember I set the white balance to one of the presets otherwise it's AWB. The files are recorded in RAW formatand converted in DPP to JPEG before further enhancement in CS2. I usually crop for artistic reason, increase the contrast, adjust the brightness, resize and sharpen using the USM feature.


1. Hummingbird: f/5.6, 1/1000 sec., ISO 400


2. Herons Nesting: f/6.3, 1/1600sec., ISO 250, +2/3 Exp. Com.


3. Western Grebe: f/5.6, 1/500 sec, ISO 800, Noise Ninja


4. Osprey: f/5.6, 1/2000sec, ISO 250


5. Heron with fish: f/5.6, 1/2000 sec, ISO 200


The minimum focus distance of the 400 f/5.6L is11.5ft (3.5m), so this is as close as you can get. I used to shoot with the 70-200 f/2.8L IS and was able to get as close as 5 ft to a hummer. To get close to a hummingbird, you have tomove slowlyand not make any sudden movement. The best thing to do is observing where the hummer normally comes to feed and then waitabout6-8 ft away (for 70-300, 70-200, 200 and 300 fixed). The bird may fly awayat firstbut if you patiently wait, it'll trust you andcome back. Make sure you don't wear bright color clothing. [img]/emoticons/emotion-1.gif[/img]


I don't remember the shooting distance, I apologize.

[Jon Ruyle]

Thanks for the detailed info, Sinh. Your pics make me want the 400 f/5.6 (I know that's irrational- you probably could have taken just as nice pics with any lens, and even if I had the 400 f/5.6, I wouldn't have gotten those cool bird shots []) The 100-400 objectively seems like a better deal to me than the prime: with zoom and IS it seems like it should cost more (the 70-200 f/2.8 IS costs like 3 times as much as the 200mm f/2.8 prime, for example). Yet I like the *idea* of the prime better. (Heart wants prime, mind wants zoom). Any thoughts? I hope I'm not getting too off topic.


I haven't had a problem getting close to hummingbirds. In fact, I use my 70-200 with extension tubes to get just a few feet away (you can see them at http://picasaweb.google.com/jonruyle/Hummingbirds#, and I've embedded one below... I likned to these before in an earlier thread). As you say, you just have to wait. The problem for me is everything else, he he.





[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.93/hb-1.jpg[/img]


1DIIN 70-200 f/2.8 IS + extension tubes (160mm @f/4) 1/1250 sec iso 1250

[Jarhead5811]

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.24.06/XSi-012small.jpg[/img]


XSi w/a 12 yearold EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 USM II (300mm @ f/5.6) 1/60 secISO1600

[Garrett-Grimsley]

Here's one from when it snowed here last month. Taken with the cheap Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6. About the only thing I don't like from the image, is the CA on the branches. Although not a big issue in the resize below, it's a pain to look at full size.





Canon Rebel XT 350D, 1/250 second, F/8, 300mm, ISO200

[Madison]

Wow the more pictures I see, the more I realise wildlife in my country is incredibly boring compared to the colorful wildlife of some of y'all. Those humming birds are amazing. And that red bird: woooooooow! I can only see those in a zoo here.

[Tom Alicoate]

Wow! somw great pics here already, and I am sure there are a lot more coming from everyone else. Here are my entries:





Orca near Orcas Island WA





Captive Wolf from Brookfield Zoo IL








Coyotein Yellowstone NP WY





Artist Point Yellowstone

[Tom Alicoate]

Sorry those didn't work too well.








With Flickr I seem to have the choice of too big or too small unless I repost all as originals that will fit this site. Unless I am missing something. I will go back and check the FAQs/Stickies to figure out how better to do this. in the mean time if you want to see the larger versions: http://www.flickr.com/photos/talicoa


Great thread!


Thanks,


Tom

[Dallasphotog]

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.24.00/TM_5F00_Squirrel.jpg[/img]


XTi, EF70-200MM F/2.8 L IS USM @200MM, 1/800, F/2.8, ISO-400

[pkChileHead]

Taken up in Iron Mountain, MI


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.26.68/IM-Tree-at-Sunset_5F00_edited_2D00_1_2D00_2.jpg[/img]





Canon XT, EF-S 10-22, f/4.5, 1/50th

[EdN]

Here's a three photos taken today:


Canon 5D Mk II 17-40mm F4L, f/8, 1/125s, ISO 100, 21mm[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.22.66/IMG_5F00_4901r.jpg[/img]


Canon 5D Mk II, 24-105 mm F4 IS L, f/5.6, 1/200s, ISO 100, 105mm[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.22.66/IMG_5F00_4822r.jpg[/img]


Canon 5D Mk II, 17-40 mm F4L, f/8, 1/125s, ISO 100, 17mm[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.22.66/IMG_5F00_4912r.jpg[/img]