Alpine Zoo-Eagle Imaging

[Telecorder]

Had the opportunity to take a day off and decided to visit the small Moonridge Alpine (~7,000' elevation) Zoo in the local ski resort area of Big Bear Lake (SoCal).
http://www.moonridgezoo.org/

They're established for adopting unique wildlife that has been injured and aren't able to survive on their own. Their current location's 50-year lease expires in 2009 and they're looking to move onto Federal property...

It was a good learning experience in using all of the different aspects of camera adjustments given the lighting, shadows and obstacles. The good aspect is one is able to get very close to the enclosures and, in some cases, be within 10' of the subjects...)

I highly recommend new and old trying a zoo/wildlife exhibit visit and spend some hours honing up on imaging techniques as a worthwhile adventure. You'll quickly learn some new techniques as well as will probably come back with some great images for some nice large portrait prints...

Manual focusing techniques are a must along with varying the aperture, shutter speed, use of EV adjustments/fill flash, differing composition angles and post processing techniques... Unfortunately, the zoo's current enclosures are not fully photog friendly (mostly chainlink fencing) but I spoke with the staff and made suggestions for their new facility to offer better camera access into their exhibits (including from at least 4 differing vantage points for the changing time-of-day lighting angles...)

These are my FZ30 hand held attempts using 5-MP EZ mode and manual focusing. I have about 330+ images to go through and PP. Most of them are with my D50/Bigma, though, as I'm still learning the combo and, of course, found its low light capabilities a definite advantage for these problematic circumstances.

All in all, though, the FZ30 was still able to get a few nice images when I dialed in some of the right settings. Use of spot AF and Exposure areas helped a lot with the varying light conditions. (Although, I had more problems with blown highlights than with my D50...) The below images were PP for levels, shadows/highlights/high pass filter -- no noise reduction used. EXIF info follows image

Caged...
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/Telecorder/Moonridge%20Alpine%20Zoo/BaldEagle-P837Medium.jpg

[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/200"
F Number = F5
Exposure Program = Aperture priority
ISO Speed Ratings = 100
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Max Aperture Value = F2.83
Metering Mode = Spot
Flash = Flash did not fire, auto mode
Focal Length = 88.8mm
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Focal Length In 35mm Film = 535mm
Scene Capture Type = Normal
Gain Control = None
Contrast = Normal
Saturation = Normal
Sharpness = Normal

A bit over processed...?
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/Telecorder/Moonridge%20Alpine%20Zoo/BaldEagle-P837Medium.jpg
[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/50"
F Number = F3.7
Exposure Program = Normal program
ISO Speed Ratings = 80
Compressed Bits Per Pixel = 4
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Metering Mode = CenterWeightedAverage
Flash = Flash did not fire, auto mode
Focal Length = 88.8mm
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Focal Length In 35mm Film = 535mm
Scene Capture Type = Normal
Gain Control = None
Contrast = Normal
Saturation = Normal
Sharpness = Normal

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/Telecorder/Moonridge%20Alpine%20Zoo/BaldEagle-P780Medium.jpg
[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/100"
F Number = F4.5
Exposure Program = Normal program
ISO Speed Ratings = 80
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Metering Mode = CenterWeightedAverage
Flash = Flash did not fire, auto mode
Focal Length = 88.8mm
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Digital Zoom Ratio =
Focal Length In 35mm Film = 420mm
Scene Capture Type = Normal
Gain Control = None
Contrast = Normal
Saturation = Normal
Sharpness = Normal

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/Telecorder/Moonridge%20Alpine%20Zoo/BaldEagle-P842Medium.jpg
Make = Panasonic
Model = DMC-FZ30
Software = Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 Windows
[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/800"
F Number = F3.7
Exposure Program = Shutter priority
ISO Speed Ratings = 100
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Metering Mode = Spot
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 88.8mm
Exif Image Width = 2560
Exif Image Height = 1920
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Digital Zoom Ratio =
Focal Length In 35mm Film = 535mm
Scene Capture Type = Normal
Gain Control = None
Contrast = Normal
Saturation = Normal
Sharpness = Normal

And a D50/Bigma image...
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/Telecorder/Moonridge%20Alpine%20Zoo/Eagle_6027Medium.jpg
Make = NIKON CORPORATION
Model = NIKON D50
Software = Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 Windows
[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/500"
F Number = F6.3
Exposure Program = Aperture priority
Exposure Bias Value = -2.33EV
Max Aperture Value = F6.28
Metering Mode = CenterWeightedAverage
Flash = Flash fired, auto mode, return light detected
Focal Length = 500mm
Custom Rendered = Normal process
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Digital Zoom Ratio = 1x
Focal Length In 35mm Film = 750mm
Scene Capture Type = Normal
Gain Control = None
Contrast = Soft
Saturation = Normal
Sharpness = Normal

Now, the fun parts starts... learning how to post process chain link fencing/shadows out of the images...

[jcon]

TC, excellent pictures, you did very well!

[Mike63]

Very nice. Reminds me of when my wife and went into a wildlife refuge. We had our Boston Terrier with us so we asked if she could come in, they said no problem if we carry her. I walked into a room that had a Bald Eagle sitting on a post carrying the dog, you should have seen that eagle go into point mode. It totally focused on the dog and kept moving its head side to side as if to get a better view. I bet the eagle was thinking, oh good you brought dinner!

http://www.mike63.smugmug.com/photos/42909560-M.jpg

[Tyler]

All nice Dave but love that last one the most. Nice isolation of the bird from the cage and the background compliments it very nicely. Might have to go try that place out soon.

Ken Tyler