Birds Birds not in Flight Thread - Post Your Shots Here

[Richard A]

These things are extremely difficult to photograph even in captivity.

 

[Slug]

Backyard bird!
Rainbow Lorikeet.

• ILCE-1
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 560.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 2500

 

[iamdlewis]

Found this sleepy head today

• ILCE-1M2
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 4000

Great Horned Owl

 

[THXGEEK]

Nice!

I've never had a camera nearby when I've spotted an owl. I need to add that to my 'to-do' list!

 

[spudhead]

sparrow

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1000 sec
• ISO 2500

 

[RogerSmith]

Ospreys go on alert after helium balloon flies by

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 560.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/3200 sec
• ISO 640

 

[jacobomerced]

Scaly-Naped Pigeon (Paloma Turca).
Rosario Peñon, San Geman, Puerto Rico

• ILCE-7CM2
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 336.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/250 sec
• ISO 100

 

[spudhead]

linnet

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1250 sec
• ISO 640

 

[spudhead]

meadow pipit

• ILCE-1
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 500

 

[jacobomerced]

Bananaquit. (Reinita Comun).
San Juan, Puerto Rico

• ILCE-7CM2
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/100 sec
• ISO 400

 

[THXGEEK]

• ILCE-1M2
• 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports 024
• 500.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 250

• ILCE-1M2
• 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports 024
• 500.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 2000

• ILCE-1M2
• 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports 024
• 500.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/1600 sec
• ISO 400

 

[CrankinSteve]

Well, it is not a memorable or an impressive shot, but it is the first time for me capturing a Bald Eagle and its nest. I am not yet fitted with a super telephoto, so this is taken with the 70-200mm f4 G OSS II with the 1.4x Sony Teleconverter. I was on the other side of the Connecticut River in Deerfield, MA about 1000 feet away from this raptor. Anyway, I gave it my best shot. By the time I got home and grabbed the equipment, after spotting that nest in the tree, the eagle had gone from the nest to the lookout branch. It is a start and possibly will lead to that 200-600mm lens at some time down the road. Right now, I am focusing on other forms of photography, but I could not pass this one up. It is fascinating.

• ILCE-7CM2
• FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 280.0 mm
• ƒ/20
• 1/500 sec
• ISO 1000

 

[iamdlewis]

Anyway, I gave it my best shot. By the time I got home and grabbed the equipment, after spotting that nest in the tree, the eagle had gone from the nest to the lookout branch. It is a start and possibly will lead to that 200-600mm lens at some time down the road. Right now, I am focusing on other forms of photography, but I could not pass this one up. It is fascinating.

And so it begins

 

[THXGEEK]

Lady Cardinal, looking pretty...

• ILCE-1M2
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 420.0 mm
• ƒ/7.1
• 1/500 sec
• ISO 1250

 

[Phil Vetra]

Well here we are Fox Sparrow and I checking each other out!

• ILCE-1
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 840.0 mm
• ƒ/9
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 25600

 

[RogerSmith]

Great horned owl on nesting site

• ILCE-1M2
• FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/2.8
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 1250

 

[CrankinSteve]

And so it begins

Well, today I broke the bank and purchased a Sony 200-600mm. So, for now I firmly believe this completes my lens collection. Hard to believe I have six lenses spanning from primes of 20mm & 40mm. And zooms including 28-60mm, 35-100mm, 70-200mm w/1.4x teleconverter, and now 200-600mm. I am going to take a break and work on putting them all to use. Using all I have learned in the art and science of photography. Like you said, it actually began a few months ago and the more you learn the more you work toward having the best tool for the task at hand. When I do get an exceptional result (it won't be easy), I will post it here. I have been told time and time again that photography takes a whole lot of patience. So much to learn!

 

[iamdlewis]

Well, today I broke the bank and purchased a Sony 200-600mm. So, for now I firmly believe this completes my lens collection. Hard to believe I have six lenses spanning from primes of 20mm & 40mm. And zooms including 28-60mm, 35-100mm, 70-200mm w/1.4x teleconverter, and now 200-600mm. I am going to take a break and work on putting them all to use. Using all I have learned in the art and science of photography. Like you said, it actually began a few months ago and the more you learn the more you work toward having the best tool for the task at hand. When I do get an exceptional result (it won't be easy), I will post it here. I have been told time and time again that photography takes a whole lot of patience. So much to learn!

Find a local birding group, most have open walks at parks, this will help you find subjects and learn about them. Find a feeder you can practice at, start with photos at the feeder then the trees/shrubs around. For birds in flight start with the larger birds (don't go for big bird as there is only one and isn't much of a challenge), then work to smaller ones, gulls/geese are the best starting birds.

Don't post on FB.

 

[CrankinSteve]

Thanks, this is helpful. However, I decided overnight not to go ahead at this point with the 200-600 as I am being pragmatic and trying to determine how I will focus my photography efforts. I expect others have gone through this thought process as you work to determine how you spend your time. For now, I will take some time to experiment with bird feeders and other fenced in animals throughout all of the farms that surround me using what I have in lenses which should be good enough to see how I feel. I get the idea that those who invest in these super telephotos are using them regularly and for now I don't see that happening. I might even rent one for a week. Anyway, I just thought I should be honest about my decision. I will do my best using my 70-200mm with the 1.4x teleconverter and APS mode. We shall see if this becomes frustrating. One thing I have learned in the last few months is that it is very easy to purchase really amazing equipment.

 

[THXGEEK]

I was gladdened to see the return of my downy woodpeckers this spring. Their previous hole was enlarged by Yellow-bellied Sap Suckers over the winter and is now a bit too 'open concept' for nesting.... The Downies are now working on a new condo below and on the other side of the trunk...

• ILCE-1M2
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 420.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/1000 sec
• ISO 160

 

[iamdlewis]

I few from a nice morning out in early spring.
Canada Goose

• ILCE-1M2
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 535.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/3200 sec
• ISO 3200

Double Crested Cormorant

• ILCE-1M2
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/1250 sec
• ISO 6400

Mallard

• ILCE-1M2
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 1000

• ILCE-1M2
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 1000

Northern Cardinal

• ILCE-1M2
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/3200 sec
• ISO 8000

Wood Duck

• ILCE-1M2
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/800 sec
• ISO 1000

• ILCE-1M2
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 2000

• ILCE-1M2
• FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/800 sec
• ISO 400

 

[CrankinSteve]

A camouflaged bird. Looks like a Mourning Dove. Very common, but still getting the shot was important to me.

• ILCE-7CM2
• FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 280.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/200 sec
• ISO 640

 

[CrankinSteve]

In my effort to improve my skills, I went out today to a nearby Audubon sanctuary. It was chilly at 30 degrees. This place had a field with some bluebird boxes and some trails in some very thick dark woods. Not optimal for warming up or for visibility. Anyway, I did capture this White-breasted Nuthatch deep in the woods and this Eastern Bluebird on my way out. These outings are similar to the way I felt way back when I played golf; you start to question why you're doing it (slice after slice) until you hit a great shot on the 17th Par 3 and all is well. Each time I have gone out, I feel darn good if I can get just one decent photo. I don't expect anything amazing. Yesterday, I did not see a bird, but I simply characterize that as a nice 3-mile hike. Anyway, I am moving in the direction of that super telephoto. Which one will be the question.

• ILCE-7CM2
• FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 280.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 6400

• ILCE-7CM2
• FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 280.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 1600

 

[iamdlewis]

Each time I have gone out, I feel darn good if I can get just one decent photo.

Good goal. I've been out 4 times in the last week and in one of the days I just ended up deleting every image I took. But I had a nice day out so all is good. This is a define plus for digital over film.

Yesterday, I did not see a bird, but I simply characterize that as a nice 3-mile hike.

Have you ever been on a bird walk with a guide? If you haven't I highly recommend finding one and at least for the first walk leave the camera at home, they will most likely have extra binoculars. I would also recommend downloading the app "Merlin" to help with identifying birds from their calls (no always correct but helps more often then not) so that you can at least understand what you might be looking for. It also wouldn't be a bad idea to get a decent binoculars (the $250-400 range) I recommend the Nikon M5 8x42 or 10x42.

If you want an exercise to help with this I can suggest:
1. In any larger room of the house find 3 objects of different length from you
2. Use any non-macro lens that has good AF speed
3. With the camera use Center focus area or Medium/Small focus area but leave it centered
4. Look at one of the objects and bring the camera to your eye and take a photo of whatever is centered
5. Put the camera away from your face, best in whatever position it would be in on your walk
6. Repeat step 4 with a different object
7. Repeat for a while and then see how you did

I would suggest the 200-600 it has a great balance of reach and weight.

 

[THXGEEK]

My Downy WPs have succeeded in making a viable hole in the trunk! Yea!

They are now doing final renovations - carving out the bits and pieces to make it 'just right' and spitting out the debris:

• ILCE-1M2
• FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS + 1.4X Teleconverter
• 420.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/500 sec
• ISO 320

 

[CrankinSteve]

Good goal. I've been out 4 times in the last week and in one of the days I just ended up deleting every image I took. But I had a nice day out so all is good. This is a define plus for digital over film.

Have you ever been on a bird walk with a guide? If you haven't I highly recommend finding one and at least for the first walk leave the camera at home, they will most likely have extra binoculars. I would also recommend downloading the app "Merlin" to help with identifying birds from their calls (no always correct but helps more often then not) so that you can at least understand what you might be looking for. It also wouldn't be a bad idea to get a decent binoculars (the $250-400 range) I recommend the Nikon M5 8x42 or 10x42.

If you want an exercise to help with this I can suggest:
1. In any larger room of the house find 3 objects of different length from you
2. Use any non-macro lens that has good AF speed
3. With the camera use Center focus area or Medium/Small focus area but leave it centered
4. Look at one of the objects and bring the camera to your eye and take a photo of whatever is centered
5. Put the camera away from your face, best in whatever position it would be in on your walk
6. Repeat step 4 with a different object
7. Repeat for a while and then see how you did

I would suggest the 200-600 it has a great balance of reach and weight.

I greatly appreciate this guidance. The camera aiming exercise is similar to what I have been doing, but even better. Thanks for that.

I thought about how wonderful it is to use digital photography, especially when shooting rapid fire. No doubt, this is quite a learning experience and I am developing a great level of patience. Like you said, each time I go out I do enjoy the day. It will be good when it gets a bit warmer here starting next week.

Again, thanks.