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03/13/2010 04:00:53 PM · #26 |
Originally posted by MaryO:
Me, me, me!! ::jumps up and down::
I love shooting birds (photograpically speaking). Just saw a new duck for my lifetime list today: a Gadwall. Didn't get all that close but a new bird is always a thrill :-)
Also saw/shot Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelers, a pair of Hooded Mergansers and assorted Mallards and Canada Geese. Worth going out to the park in the rain today! |
I know what you mean  Maryo. I just got back from Costa Rica and photographed (not all that well) many birds I did know know and had not seen before. It was very exciting and I do not even consider myself a birder. I just like them as a subject as it matches up with my love of getting out in nature.
Originally posted by hojop25:
OOOOOOOOOOH :) |
I'll have to take that as an intereted person!
Originally posted by Marjo:
Wow! Great captures. I would be interested, also. I love bird/nature shots but wish I had more lens. I am always eyeballing lenses for sale on craigslist. I have an extender for the 70-200 but miss the 2.8 when it's attached. Half the time I get error messages. I will flag this thread. Thanks! |
Marjo A 70-200 2.8 is a great lens as shown by some of your shots. We'll talk about lenses and TC's soon.
Originally posted by vawendy:
Always interested in the birds! |
Great someone who can help me learn!
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
One caveat; it might be good to find a better way to express the concept "I shot a ruby-throated hummingbird from my balcony today."
Jejejeâ„¢
R. |
 Bear_Music is a sick man.
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03/13/2010 04:16:24 PM · #27 |
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03/13/2010 04:17:00 PM · #28 |
| This thread looks really interesting. I shoot quite a few bird and wildlife photos as and when I can. Look forward to picking up some useful tips. |
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03/13/2010 04:29:14 PM · #29 |
Originally posted by chazoe:
I am very interested in this. As someone who is very new to this hobby and someone who lives in the beautiful state of Colorado, where many bird and wildlife opportunities present themselves daily, this is a must follow for me. Thank you for doing this. |
chazoe welcome to DPC and get out there in your beautiful state.
 delin I'd love to hear how the spotting scope works out as I have no experience there. |
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03/13/2010 04:34:31 PM · #30 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Sounds great, JB! I'm not a bird shooter, so it's unlikely I'll participate, but it sounds like a lively and informative thread coming up. One caveat; it might be good to find a better way to express the concept "I shot a ruby-throated hummingbird from my balcony today."
Jejejeâ„¢
R. |
The only thing I could *possibly* imagine being harder to shoot than a hummingbird with a camera would be trying to shoot one with a bullet! ROFLMAO!!!!
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03/13/2010 04:35:26 PM · #31 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Sounds great, JB! I'm not a bird shooter, so it's unlikely I'll participate, but it sounds like a lively and informative thread coming up. One caveat; it might be good to find a better way to express the concept "I shot a ruby-throated hummingbird from my balcony today."
Jejejeâ„¢
R. |
The only thing I could *possibly* imagine being harder to shoot than a hummingbird with a camera would be trying to shoot one with a bullet! ROFLMAO!!!! |
You join the Bear in the sicko of the month awards:)) |
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03/13/2010 04:40:39 PM · #32 |
melonmusketeer, cdn1, ancientimages, sceneit - wow! we are getting some great participants.
Originally posted by hahn23:
Well, the photography of birds in flight is one of my passions. I very much enjoy the substantial challenge. I have much to learn, but have had some early success. it takes good light, fast shutter speed, tripod, enough...but not too much ISO film speed, wide open aperture, at least 400mm lens focal length, accurate focus and good (lucky) timing... |
hahn23 Looks like you are doing pretty well on your own but I think with all of us sharing we will all get better!
wingyisleeds with a name Wing how could you not be joining us.
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03/13/2010 04:41:39 PM · #33 |
Originally posted by sfalice:
This got slammed in competition, but is still one of my all-time favorite shots.
I'll be looking in on this thread as well. My thanks to the OP for starting it! |
I laughed when I saw that shot! I took one very similar of a hawk sitting on the same type sign and post that said No Hunting. |
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03/13/2010 04:44:53 PM · #34 |
I'd love to learn something here, but I already have a bunch of seriously failed efforts. I am open to the possibility that it just may not be something I have a knack for, but I'm more than willing to try to do the work to give it the best advantage.
I'm not too bad if they stand still!!!
  
This was a luck shot......I'd like to lessen the odds of needing luck....
ETA: This was worse than a luckshot......this gull was accidental, but I like it. Even though it wasn't the focal point of the picture, I loved him for his positioning!
I have a 500mm full manual lens......it doesn't communicate with my camera, but it works!
Message edited by author 2010-03-13 16:51:17.
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03/13/2010 04:50:04 PM · #35 |
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03/13/2010 05:43:47 PM · #36 |
Birds move a lot, even when they are sitting still. I've found it helpful to switch my camera to use only the center focus point, rather than all nine. Then, I'll place that point on the eye of the bird, with the opportunity to recompose the scene later via cropping. The DOF plane will cover most of the bird, but will definitely cover the eyes, beak and head. For flying birds, it's very difficult to nail the focus. (I've tried servo mode, but need to work harder.) Small birds will move faster than the lens can lock on. So, if one can find a bird doing a repetitive pattern activity, like bringing insects to feed young in a nest, then you can focus on something stationary, like the nest entrance. Once I know where I want to place the DOF plane, I'll lock on the focus and switch to manual focus mode, so the lens doesn't try in vain to lock on to the moving bird. Then, I shoot a rapid series of shots as the bird approaches the DOF plane. With a fast enough shutter speed, you don't have to worry about motion blur. Camera shake is always a concern, which is why I use a tripod mount 99% of the time. With a fast enough shutter speed, one can hand hold a camera&lens, but a tripod will almost always produce a better result.
Message edited by author 2010-03-13 17:44:50. |
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03/13/2010 09:26:13 PM · #37 |
As long as we're posting here ...     The denizens of the Lake Merritt Bird Sanctuary are not tame or enclosed, but are pretty used to people hanging around nearby. |
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03/13/2010 10:18:46 PM · #38 |
| Count me in too!! Love to shoot birds. It's been one of my favorite subjects for a while now. I even have a folder titled Birds In Flight from a side challenge last year in my portfolio. Looking forward to seeing all the great shots here! |
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03/13/2010 10:39:26 PM · #39 |
I would love to learn more, our habitats are on the most part different as are your birds, we don't have hummingbirds but we do have sunbirds that are similar1
Thankyou for starting a very positive vibe thread! |
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03/13/2010 10:40:59 PM · #40 |
I'll be watching this thread, thank you for taking the time. I've had some luck, and this thread should help me have some more!
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03/13/2010 11:32:14 PM · #41 |
| Man, while driving up to Portland today a bald eagle flew low over the I-5 with a dead pigeon in its talons, neck flopping all about. Geez, and my camera was all the way in the back... |
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03/13/2010 11:36:25 PM · #42 |
| Count me in. I have a few bird shots I'm proud of, but they are more the result of luck than skill. I'm always interested in learning. |
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03/14/2010 12:38:04 AM · #43 |
Does a snowbird nest count?
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03/14/2010 01:13:05 AM · #44 |
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03/14/2010 01:23:49 AM · #45 |
| Oh! A bird thread! I may be too chicken to post, but will defintely keep an eagle's eye on this thread! |
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03/14/2010 01:36:32 AM · #46 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Man, while driving up to Portland today a bald eagle flew low over the I-5 with a dead pigeon in its talons, neck flopping all about. Geez, and my camera was all the way in the back... |
Don't you just hate it when that happens! I came out of grocery store a year ago only to see a Peregrine Falcon take a dove right out of the sky in the parking lot. He took it down to the pavement and then it took him three attempts to get the meal in the air. And my camera was in the car. By time I got to it the falcon was on his way with lunch.
Stuff happens. |
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03/14/2010 03:05:19 AM · #47 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Man, while driving up to Portland today a bald eagle flew low over the I-5 with a dead pigeon in its talons, neck flopping all about. Geez, and my camera was all the way in the back... |
Originally posted by jbsmithana:
Don't you just hate it when that happens! I came out of grocery store a year ago only to see a Peregrine Falcon take a dove right out of the sky in the parking lot. He took it down to the pavement and then it took him three attempts to get the meal in the air. And my camera was in the car. By time I got to it the falcon was on his way with lunch.
Stuff happens. |
That's why my camera lives right next to me in the car.....there's a spot right at my right arm where it rests.
I also take it with me when I go into buildings. Every where. All the time.
Saw him from the road......pulled over....
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03/14/2010 10:25:51 PM · #48 |
Watch this thread!
The first lesson posting will take place Monday around noon PST US. Aren't you excited!
edit: damn fingers
Message edited by author 2010-03-15 01:40:24. |
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03/14/2010 10:29:50 PM · #49 |
Originally posted by jbsmithana:
Watch this thread!
The first lesson posting will take place Monday around noon PST US. Aren't you excited! |
Why, yes! Yes, I am!
(I fixed your word!)
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03/15/2010 10:13:04 AM · #50 |
Yes...I am looking forward to this thread, but just so you know...all of my models will be vegetarians!
I really don't need a photo of a dead pigeon with a flopping head...no matter how handsome the hunter bird is...Ewwwww!
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