My first foray into feathered fauna

[cdifoto]

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2008-05-13-0037.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2008-05-13-0038.jpg

[cdifoto]

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2008-05-13-0042.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/2008-05-13-0049.jpg

[24Peter]

Nice shots Don. Which lens?

[cdifoto]

Thanks Pete. 70-200 IS. Longest I have anymore.

[AdamW]

Nice ones, Don. I especially like #3. With the bird's pose and your composition, it seems like he's looking suspiciously out at the viewer from behind the branch.

[Nickcanada]

Looking good Don! Is that flash I see?

[24Peter]

Is that flash I see?

Flash is evident - but I don't think he could have shot it any other way. The hardcore birders often use multiple off camera flashes around feeders (and remote shutter release) to even out the lighting, or blinds on the ground or in the trees positioned to take advantage of natural light. Either way, too much work for me! :D

[cdifoto]

Thanks Adam, Nick. I was dickin' around with a cheap old Focal (Kmart's house brand) flash. I didn't go out with the intent to shoot birds...I just wanted to see if the flash worked. Either way, no flash would have meant near-silhouettes.

[AdamW]

You guys have me beat. I can't tell that a flash was used.

[cdifoto]

You guys have me beat. I can't tell that a flash was used.
It's in the shadows. Specifically the shadow cast onto the birds by the branches right in front of them. It's a hard distinct line, and since the subjects are backlit by the sun, that means it can only be from direct flash. The specular catchlights are also a pretty good cue most of the time.

[talkingdog]

I have one of those flash unit somewhere in my house too from when I used to use my A1. I should dig that camera out from storage.

[njoy_az]

It's in the shadows. Specifically the shadow cast onto the birds by the branches right in front of them. It's a hard distinct line, and since the subjects are backlit by the sun, that means it can only be from direct flash. The specular catchlights are also a pretty good cue most of the time.

Now that you mentioned it, I looked for (and found) tiny relections in the birds eyes, I still have a hard time finding any (distinct) shadows, though ... :o

Did you use the flash off camera?

[adam75south]

very cool pictures. great contrast and colors that really complement each other. these are really nice don. and definitely nice use of flash. i didn't realize it was flash either til pointed out.

but if only i could tell who the photographer was by looking at the pictures...lmao.