Portrait of a WILD bird - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

12/18/2009 05:05:52 AM · #26

Originally posted by rider:

I didn't start this to pi** people off snaffles i thought it would be a good challenge and would teach people the difficulty in shooting wild birds in their environment! most times when you see a bird shot at 24mm or less it is captive i didn't think so many people would have a problem with the idea, and i didn't think so many people were worried about cheaters guess i'm too honest and many here believe that many here are not. OH THANKS FOR THE LINK GENERAL E!!!

Never said you did set out to pi** people off. I think it's safe to say enough people already know how difficult it is to shoot 'wild birds in their environment' - nobody argues that. But I am playing devil's advocate and pointing out, as have many others, that unless you do see a cage or falconer's equipment, there really is no way to tell if a bird is truly wild or not.

And where did I,or anyone else on this thread, say anything about being worried about cheaters? Apart from you, nobody. Though some members here are serious enough to pack around a 100-400mm lens, or a 500mm prime lens, well, a lot of us don't have that kind of $$, or access to a super-wide variety of wild birds all year round. Lighten up!

Message edited by author 2009-12-18 05:12:37.

cynthiann

Nikon D810

12/18/2009 11:40:01 AM · #27

I think Head to Toe Wild Birds is a great idea. You can actually capture one without a large expensive lens.

This was taken through a blind with a 50mm.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

12/18/2009 08:39:11 PM · #28

Here are two WILD birds, one that is NOT an escapee from a raptor show, but in full flight too:

And this guy

doesn't take flight when disturbed. He relies on camouflage so he stays very, very, still. Which is how we were able to shoot him from maybe 4 ft away.

Shot both with my measly little 18-200mm lens.

ETA: It should be noted that this thread was started to encourage a challenge of birds shot in their own environment. Well, sometimes the birds decide that a man-made environment is a pretty sweet deal.

About midsummer I missed what would have been a frickin spectacular shot. I was crossing to the States via the Ogdensburg bridge, on which stopping is NOT allowed for any reason except an emergency. And there, at pretty much exactly the midway point, I saw a good-sized bird perched on the railing, calmly watching traffic go by...

It was a peregrine falcon!

No mistaking that slate plumage, the markings, size, etc. Had I been able to stop and leap out, or even just stop, roll down the passenger window and shoot, I would have been approx 5 ft away.

Ok, so it wouldn't have been in full stoop, or hunkered down mantling an unlucky bird. But there it was, clearly feeling very at home so close to humans. Wonder how close its nest was. Still wish I had just hit the brakes and taken my chances - anything to have gotten that shot.

Oops, maybe I'm suffering British Photographer syndrome? ;-)

Message edited by author 2009-12-18 20:54:24.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

12/18/2009 09:02:21 PM · #29

Originally posted by rider:

OH THANKS FOR THE LINK GENERAL E!!!

You're welcome! There are some places such as the Lake Merritt Bird Sanctuary where the birds are free to come and go, even though within an urban environment. I've shot there a couple of times, and there was even a DPC GTG (which I missed) there. You can often get quite close to the birds, even though they are not captive or tame.

The only real "problem" with this idea is that unless you limit it to birds in flight (and maybe not even then), there's no way to prove whether or not a bird is shot "in the wild." Remember we don't usually DQ for DNMC, and to try and do so for this type of challenge could be quite problematic.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

12/18/2009 09:04:38 PM · #30

cynthiann

Nikon D810

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

12/18/2009 10:36:46 PM · #31

aliqui

Nikon D300s

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

12/19/2009 02:41:05 AM · #32

Oh, hay, I just realized I have a recent example of my own to contribute to this thread! I'm all for bird challenges of any kind. Even if I can't get a shot of my own, they're always a great joy to browse through and comment on.

GiorgioBaruffi

Apple iPhone 5s

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS

12/19/2009 04:40:40 AM · #33

this is a portrait of a wild bird...

the bird is a young of a night heron (nycticorax nycticorax)

is an my old shot...

rider

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS USM

12/19/2009 04:51:07 AM · #34

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by rider:
OH THANKS FOR THE LINK GENERAL E!!!

You're welcome! There are some places such as the Lake Merritt Bird Sanctuary where the birds are free to come and go, even though within an urban environment. I've shot there a couple of times, and there was even a DPC GTG (which I missed) there. You can often get quite close to the birds, even though they are not captive or tame.

The only real "problem" with this idea is that unless you limit it to birds in flight (and maybe not even then), there's no way to prove whether or not a bird is shot "in the wild." Remember we don't usually DQ for DNMC, and to try and do so for this type of challenge could be quite problematic.

Well can't we just go with the trust thing and not dmc or dq unless we see something that is plainly not right? and if it has to be in flight so be it perhaps if it is in flight could we let it run a little longer so as to give folks time?

Message edited by author 2009-12-19 04:52:42.

Jedusi

12/19/2009 05:13:41 AM · #35

Originally posted by GeneralE:

The only real "problem" with this idea is that unless you limit it to birds in flight (and maybe not even then), there's no way to prove whether or not a bird is shot "in the wild."

What about a note from their Mum ?

:- P

There has been a BiF suggestion before Birds in Flight and I still think it's a good idea. The problem with captive / tame / wild is that not only is it hard to prove, but it is also shades of grey . .
Easy enough to say that a bird in a cage is captive, but what about a bird in a sanctuary ? I know a few locations where people regualarly put food out in the wild to encourage the birds - and since the birds get used to the idea it's easy to take photos - is that really wild ? I would suggest not, because the situation is being manipulated with the introduction of food that wouldn't be there otherwise.

To be honest I don't get over excited about getting too purist, I like photographing animals, and as long as they are well cared for, Zoos and sanctuaries give me a chance to see animals that I would otherwise simply not have the chance to see - including Eagles and Owls. Both of these I have see in the Wild and got no decent photos . . but I can go to a local Raptor centre where the birds are very well cared for and get good shots of both either stationary, or in flight.

But hey - any bird challenge sounds good to me :- )

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

12/19/2009 08:44:40 AM · #36

The point I was trying to make - whether birds are being fed intentionally or not, the plain and simple fact is that many birds cohabitate quite happily with us. In many cases we are a critical part of their environment - I've yet to see a barn or arena where there wasn't a resident pigeon or swallow population. That peregrine falcon I mentioned in the earlier post wasn't hunting, just hanging out near their home, probably in the girders under the bridge.

scooter97

Canon EOS-6D

12/19/2009 09:31:10 AM · #37

Now back to some bird pix :D

cynthiann

Nikon D810

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

12/19/2009 10:17:01 AM · #38

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

12/19/2009 10:19:20 AM · #39

That's the problem, where do you draw the line for wild birds? Even if you have a feeder, it doesn't make it that much easier to shoot the birds. I got very proficient with the blue birds, but I never managed to get a good mockingbird in flight. The woodpeckers are next to impossible. Also, I have birds don't eat from the feeder, but they come to see what the commotion is about. Are they fair game?

I'd say that feeders and preserves are fair game, because you don't have people controlling the birds. If I walk outside, they fly away. It's not like an animal program where you know the owl is going to be flying from this person to that one.

I like the idea, I think that it's a little confusing to know what's acceptable and what's not.

rich

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

12/19/2009 10:25:23 AM · #40

Feeders are a tremendous advantage in shooting smaller birds. One of the easiest tricks is to attach natural branches to the feeder, you can comfortably drink coffee in your kitchen and get a great variety of very natural looking shots.

desertoddity

Nikon D300s

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

12/19/2009 11:02:45 AM · #41

here's mine. sandhill cranes

TrollMan

Fujifilm X-T4

Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4

12/19/2009 11:09:04 AM · #42

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

12/19/2009 01:24:13 PM · #43

Originally posted by rich:

... you can comfortably drink coffee in your kitchen and get a great variety of very natural looking shots.

Like this ...

see

Canon PowerShot S95

12/19/2009 01:58:09 PM · #44

I cheat....;p

TrollMan

Fujifilm X-T4

Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4

12/19/2009 02:42:24 PM · #45

American Kestrel

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

12/19/2009 03:11:19 PM · #46

rider

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS USM

12/19/2009 03:29:54 PM · #47

didn't think this would be very good when i took it but i like it