Bird Thread

[kgosden]

Gavin, great shot. What areyou shooting with? Are you in a blind?

[iiaGavin]

Gavin, great shot. What are you shooting with? Are you in a blind?

I use a Nikon D200. The lens for this shot was the less-than-stellar Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF, hence the poor-ish IQ (the fact that it's somewhat cropped didn't help either :) ).

As for where I was, the nest is located atop a telephone pole on the side of a fairly busy street. I was essentially in the parking lot across the street (an area which is elevated from the level of the street below.

Gavin

[Syndam]

We had an unusual visitor last week.
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/7118/74684317.jpg
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/4086/74127064.jpg
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/5329/79046125.jpg
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/4114/72399687.jpg

[devin]

Hello Mr. Duck: :)

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/djphonics/Art%20Photos/09LaurelhurstPark072009.jpg

[SpecialK]

San Clemente pier.
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[KevinMelody.net]

In a fluster...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emcw/3753851667/

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

I like the movement effect Kevin but I'd prefer posting the photo rather than the link.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Cheating, I blued the sky a lot in post. Took a while, my photoshop skills suck!

[raven15]

That's a great picture.

My photoshop skills finally reached the point of acceptability after nine months of practice. Then I got a new camera and everything I used to do now just makes things worse.

[Elisha]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/elishajesudason/_DSC2260.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/elishajesudason/_DSC2261-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/elishajesudason/_DSC2496-2.jpg

[Elisha]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/elishajesudason/DSC01040-1.jpg

[devin]

Ha! Nice one Elisha! :)

[raven15]

This birdie isn't so cute.

I was driving along when I saw it. Since I was heading for the mountains I had my new E-620 with 70-300mm lens already attached. Unfortunately I was in a hurry to get the shot (the bird left soon) and my last settings had been for macro, so I was shooting at f/14 which reduced the shutter speed to 1/250s on a 600mm equivalent lens. Yay for IS!

[Spookonthe8ball]

Nice capture of a bird & their prey. Very rare shot raven15.
Spook

[raven15]

I'm not entirely sure it's not road kill :o.

[Spookonthe8ball]

Arguing about that with the rapter would be like getting a pork chop away from a pitbull. Nice shot non the less.
Spook

[Phill D]

Yes some excellent shots on here lately guys well done. I especially like the flying shots SpecialK & DPR those ducks Elisha are priceless & that prey capture shot Raven right place right time & well shot.

[Rooz]

raven that 2nd shot is awesome !

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3503/3790989225_4852390dcf_o.jpg

[K1W1]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/3799541311_9fe9a735ab_b.jpg

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Just noticed your sig K1W1 "I think that its time for a new signature", cute

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Bored with a camera in hand and kids on the loose

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

One more rat with wings

[kgosden]

A couple of our local nature center rescue birds.

[iiaGavin]

@kgosden....I love the owl pic.

Follow the leader....

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/3826071613_d5463fa819_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3510/3826071219_2c47a87fdc_b.jpg

[GabrielC]

[QUOTE=iiaGavin;386207
Follow the leader....
[/QUOTE]

I like the first one more - excellent mood!

Some from around here, taken last week :

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[toriaj]

Excellent shots, Gabriel. I especially like the color variations in #2.

[GabrielC]

Thank you for your comment.

[AdamW]

Yeah, Gabriel, the colors in those are really lovely. I also like the composition of #1: the soft blurry green background behind the sharp multi-colored birds. Nice!

[Phill D]

This thread just gets better & better.
That's a beautifull flying seagull shot DPR. I tried some birds of prey in flight shots recently but they were rubbish. I find it so difficult any tips gratefully received.
kgosden the darker background you got on your eagle makes for a nice shot. Wonder what that owl is thinking?
Gavin I love the first follow the leader shot. You could do a little PP on it to clone out the distracting background top left and for my preference I'd just loose a bit of the water at the bottom to give it a more panaramic look. Then it would go on the wall.
Gabriel the colours & composition are excellent nice shots.

[Phill D]

Here's one from me taken at a falconry centre on the Isle of White.
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[Rooz]

thats awesome phil !!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/3911231915_b8c8e54399_o.jpg

[Gintaras]

Here's one from me taken at a falconry centre on the Isle of White.
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scary beautifull

[Rooz]

just a duck..

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/3922765334_cd3d00bd28_o.jpg

[Phill D]

Rooz & Gintaras praise indeed guys thanks for the kind words.
Rooz those last two shots you posted had incredible dof control just perfect for the depth of the birds. Did you calculate what you wanted in your head first or do you just instinctively know what aperture you need?

[Rooz]

Did you calculate what you wanted in your head first or do you just instinctively know what aperture you need?

oh hell no Phill, just shoot the 300VR wide open and let the camera/lens do the rest. lol

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/3924812823_21077d58e9_o.jpg

[Phill D]

Ah the point & shoot technique huh ;) only joking. That bird's expression is really cool. they look like a comedy double act lol.

[GabrielC]

Phill - Awesome indeed
Roz - Your photos are excellent, great impact on the viewer - on me anyway!

Just to keep the pace, here's one who looks like having a hangover... An explanation could be the busy night before (shot taken very early on a sunday morning ...)

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[Phill D]

Thanks Gabriel, that duck's expression is definately an "oh no it's morning moment". I like the way the cool background colours add to the depressing expression too.

[iiaGavin]

Northern Flicker

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2642/3937738662_b865a373b3_b.jpg

[Rooz]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2653/3937025494_3be72c6971_o.jpg

[Elisha]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3446/3939995284_383b9f5ef3_b.jpg

[jekostas]

And a little chickadee, with its beak in a pinecone

[K1W1]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/3973852146_621eae802e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2520/3973849956_f15b8827db_b.jpg

[mackagata]

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/17/aa/a3/a-bird-s-eye-view.jpg

Birds eye View

[K1W1]

From the garden at home on Saturday.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2463/3976539580_0b3eb97d66_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3483/3976531680_0e74d55bd7_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2604/3975782233_4f87eaccf2_b.jpg

[jekostas]

From the garden at home on Saturday.


Snarky looking little birds, aren't they?

Anyways, fall time 'round here, Mallards are all fledged and getting ready to head out.

[toriaj]

K1W1, those shots are amazing. I especially like your #2. #3 is also really funny, the birds seem to be showing personality.

[GabrielC]

Two from me, just walking around the city lately:

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This one is NOT rotated with 180, just the birdie's natural position...

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[iiaGavin]

K1W1, great shots.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3937718798_342e2f0041_b.jpg

[BikerJohn]

Gavin, I love that one!

This is a copy of Rooz's framing method.

[Elisha]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2653/4033079930_ed02a42083_b.jpg

[Hal43]

This Red-Tailed Hawk was enjoying his dinner in my front yard when I took these pictures.



http://home.comcast.net/~hwarnock/hawk01.jpg



http://home.comcast.net/~hwarnock/hawk03.jpg

[GabrielC]

Profile ...

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[Falconest174]

Here are some shots I took this summer with My Fuji S700 and S1500.Used the 700 when the Batteries of the 1500 went dead.
The first two shots are with the 1500 and the last one is with the 700.

[GabrielC]

Great Tit ... autumn style!

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[Falconest174]

This is a shot of a Heron that was still here as of 11/07/09.
We had already had several sub-freezing nights. Was very surprised to see this one still here.

[GabrielC]

Great tit - winter style !

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[Phill D]

My first post of 2010 but a shot from last summer hols in the IoW. Slightly cropped to remove rubish in background and auto contrast tweak are only PP applied.
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[Steve_W_1962]

Very nice shot Phill, what lens did you use?

Oh, and a Happy New Year to you and yours :)

[builder24car]

Great pic of a beautiful bird Gabriel! I wish I had that one here to add to my life list.


Your owl pic is nothing short of incredible Phil, thanks for sharing!

[Phill D]

Thanks & a Happy New Year to you all too Steve, back to work all too soon though:(
I took the shot with my Olympus 70-300 zoom at 70mm. The Owl was actually in the shade of a large tree so light levels were a bit lower than I'd have liked so I had to use iso 400 to get the shutter speed up to 1/160s at f5.6. DoF is pretty small at the larger apertures with this lens so I was very pleased to get this hand held one with the eye & beak in focus.

[Phill D]

Thanks builder you're too kind. I was pleased with it too although it's not as sharp as the other bird of prey I posted a while ago that I shot at the same time. It just goes to show that the 70-300 is a good lens when the operator gets it right, there's no PP sharpening on that image only a slight contrast tweak.

[Steve_W_1962]

Thanks & a Happy New Year to you all too Steve, back to work all too soon though:(
I took the shot with my Olympus 70-300 zoom at 70mm. The Owl was actually in the shade of a large tree so light levels were a bit lower than I'd have liked so I had to use iso 400 to get the shutter speed up to 1/160s at f5.6. DoF is pretty small at the larger apertures with this lens so I was very pleased to get this hand held one with the eye & beak in focus.

Yes, the Christmas break seems to have passed with the blink of an eye, really looking forward to Monday :rolleyes:

Very impressive shot for a hand held one with a 70 - 300 zoom, obviously a combination of your skill and the quality of the lens :)

I would love to replace my 17 year old Canon zoom of the same range, optically there seems to be a massive difference between it and some of the kit available nowadays, will have to see how the funds are over the next few months ;)

[SpecialK]

At the Huntington Beach pier.
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[Falconest174]

Here is a gull from last August. It is now 14F here.BRRRRRRRR!! No pics today. I wish it was August again.

[GabrielC]

Just another philosopher in the park ...

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[Falconest174]

Here is a shot from today. Posted another of this bird in the Nikon pic of the Day thread. As you can see from the feather fragments the falcon has been feeding. The kill was one the many pigeons infesting the area.

[kgosden]

Beautiful shot Falconest.

[GabrielC]

Great tit... again!

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[Falconest174]

Gabe, no fair, you Romanians have all the colorful small birds through the winter. Around here all we have with any color are Cardinals and Blue Jays, both larger than tits. This is one of the most common birds around here an ordinary Sparrow. One of several shots that I took through the branches.

[jekostas]

Mating pair of Bald Eagles

[Falconest174]

Jekostas;
Sheesh Am I jealous. Great pics.
Rich

[jekostas]

Jekostas;
Sheesh Am I jealous. Great pics.
Rich

Thanks. Couple more from the same set. In the second one, the second eagle is yelling at some crows just out-of-frame.

[rawpaw18]

Taken at Bombay Hook in Delaware

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4281515750_cdba688361_o.jpg

[MaggieMae]

Some shots from a recent trip to the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico.

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[LBGChris]

Three ducks stand atop a piece of driftwood, playfully bathing in the afternoon sun.

[rawpaw18]

He was kind of chatty this morning
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4299547332_873c1d0a19_o.jpg

[kgosden]

Great shot Rich. I never get a chance at them with the wings open. They are pretty skittish at least in my area.

[rawpaw18]

Got lucky, I just set up near the edge of the water and waited.
He landed nearby and hung around for a few minutes.

[GabrielC]

Small birds, again:

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[rawpaw18]

Gabreil those are fantastic, love the low angle
of the shots. Really nice work.

[kgosden]

This fellow has been stalking my bird feeder the past few weeks. Today he landed about 30 feet away. The sliding glass door doesn't help the focus or detail much.

[rawpaw18]

I would love to get that close to a hawk, very nice.

These guys were just waking up.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4331099473_20bd19828f_o.jpg

[rawpaw18]

Bought some seed and a feeder,
been hanging around the house since getting snowed in.

1.
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2.
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3.
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[Falconest174]

Here is a Downy Woodpecker on a neighbor's suet block. This was during yesterday's snowstorm.I also saw but did not shoot (wrong lens on camera:mad:) an eagle weaving between trees on west bank of local river. I keep missing the good shots on that bird. 1/500 f6.3 ISO 400 tammy 70-300 at 300 about ten feet away.

[rawpaw18]

Nasty couple storms we have had huh? you'll get that Eagle yet.
Good looking Downy.

[donjoe]

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZrcHAhXQxgip_lHtARx7yw?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Aeja5Mo1SWEM8W_aG6Ypow?feat=directlink

[Don Kondra]

Couple of recent shots....

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/Chickadee9feb2010.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/Afterthestorm.jpg

Cheers, Don

[Falconest174]

Hey Don:
You stealing my Downy?;)
Here is a chickadee on the same suet block.

[Don Kondra]

I can't believe how well the suet feeder works. I would see one downy off in the bush once every couple of weeks.

Now there are seven individuals visiting regularly :cool:

This is the second biggest female, missed big momma this morning, sigh..

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/Woodpeckertest.jpg

Cheers, Don

[puritycontroller]

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=59&pictureid=278

[rawpaw18]

Your Robins have alot more color than ours, very nice.

[kgosden]

A few visitors posing during the Great Backyard Bird Count.

[puritycontroller]

Thanks rawpaw.
Here is another shot - taken during the snow last month.
I think this is the same robin as before, because he seems to appear from
the same hole in the riverbank each time. I love his rounded little body, all fluffed up against the cold.:p

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=59&pictureid=279

[rawpaw18]

We are also under the snow as well, 49 of the 50 states have seen snow!

Makes the birds show up to my feeder more often. Seen some UK Robins on
another forum but have more blue on them, males maybe?

Couple of nice shots Kgosden, really like the Bluebird

[puritycontroller]

Seen some UK Robins on
another forum but have more blue on them, males maybe?

Apparently there are only subtle differences in plumage between male and female robins.
I've read that the angle of brown feathers on the forehead which merge into the red of the face forms a 'U'-shape in males,
and a 'V'-shape in females.
Other than that there are no real differences, but to me the red breast of the male bird seems more vivid in colour than the female.

To my knowledge, UK robins don't have any blue colouring in their plumage!

[Don Kondra]

Male downy woodpecker shot shortly after high noon today...

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/Woodpeckerportrait.jpg

Cheers, Don

[rawpaw18]

Don nice looking Downy,
missed it when you posted it apparently.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4373592540_acb7284653_o.jpg

[Don Kondra]

Thanks Rich,

Good attitude and eye detail on your mockingbird :)

Cheers, Don

[rawpaw18]

One of my latest subjects.
200mm only gets me so close, I crop the rest of the way:D

51944

[Don Kondra]

Trying something different, chickadee's in flight ;)

I did not have the light for this shot but I wanted to see if it was possible.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/Inflightthree-1.jpg

Cheers, Don

[Rooz]

Bought some seed and a feeder,
been hanging around the house since getting snowed in.


i musta missed these unless you didnt post em in POTD. the muted tones are just wonderful.

[Elisha]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/3972718411_3cafbf7749_b.jpg

[Elisha]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/3939556268_95eb1bfa1f_b.jpg

[Elisha]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3465/3932793653_513d40b422_b.jpg

[rawpaw18]

i musta missed these unless you didnt post em in POTD. the muted tones are just wonderful.

Birds are kind of boring to most so I post a few here, most
I put up on photocamel in their bird forum. thanks for the comp

[Rooz]

Birds are kind of boring to most

lol i'll remember that next time i'm about to post a bird shot. lol

[Geoff Chandler]

Elisha82 - I really liked the last 2 posts you submitted
the colour and lighting on those little baby ducks downy
furry coats is wonderful
Plus I also like the dark lighting on the gul with the catchlight in the eye that brings the whole image to life.

[rawpaw18]

Elisha, That grackle eye is just great. Like the post work,
very well done.

[rawpaw18]

Don,
I recently read that the chickadee is the easiest to train
to feed out of your hand. ever try that? Just curious

[Don Kondra]

Don,
I recently read that the chickadee is the easiest to train
to feed out of your hand. ever try that? Just curious

No, first time I've heard that :)

Must take some patience ? They usually hit the feeder and run... only the odd bird will stick around long enough to crack and eat a sunflower seed.

Cheers, Don

[Don Kondra]

Still cloudy today but had a gas ;)

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/Spreadeagled.jpg

Cheers, Don

[kgosden]

Don,

Great shot. I guess I need to move up to the brighter 50-200 from the 70-300 if I want to get above 1/200th. I rented a 50-200 for a week and decided I did not really want to carry it around all the time. Still the extra speed is nice on occasion. I took it to Road Atlanta for Petit LeMans. Close enough to the cars there that I didn't miss the extra mm on the telephoto.

[Don Kondra]

Thanks,

What you need to do is carry around a four pound Bigma for a while, then the 50-200 will seem small :)

Cheers, Don

[Prospero]

Here are some shots I took today using my Sigma 500 f/8 mirror lens:

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[rawpaw18]

Dennis those are real nice, the first one has the tell tale rings of a mirror
lens. I do not mind them except the ones on the neck. Great colors in these
too. I did not know you had this lens.

[rawpaw18]

In my back yard were a few Red-Wings, I grabbed my camera and they
started to take off. Not having time to adjust settings this is what I got.
1/25 at 200mm

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4407598960_8f4424244d_o.jpg

[AdamW]

I like that one, Rich.

[rawpaw18]

Thanks Adam, almost deleted it on the spot.
I have got in the habit of deleting on the computer
instaed of the camera, you never know.

[Prospero]

Dennis those are real nice, the first one has the tell tale rings of a mirror
lens. I do not mind them except the ones on the neck. Great colors in these
too. I did not know you had this lens.

Thanks, Rich. You're right about the first. I'll try to remove the rings in front of the neck.
I have had this lens for about a month, but due to the bad weather, I haven't had the time to test it. Yesterday the weather cleared up and I had a bit more time, so I took some photos. So far, I like the lens. As long as I shoot from a tripod, the results are quite sharp. It's a bit tough to focus it, since it is fixed at f/8 and is as dark as f/11 (T/11) due to the mirror mechanism.

Really like your shot, Rich. Great colours and it's a very dynamic picture.

[Falconest174]

The second of two crops of this shot taken after work today.
the first crop is in the Nikon DSLR Pic of the day.

[kgosden]

Rich,

I love the motion in the red wing blackbirds. But 'a few', sure wish I had a few dollars on that same scale :)

[jekostas]

Cherry blossoms, and the birds that love them

[rawpaw18]

I had the oppotunity to get close........so I did.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4430341339_e901046c62_b.jpg

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

That's a keeper Rich.

What's with the multiple light sources in the eyes?

I might be inclined to clone most out and possibly increase the contrast just on the eyes.
How'd you get so close?

[rawpaw18]

It was indoors, an Eagle festival at a wildlife refuge.
It was raining so they held the event inside. The lights are ceiling
lights, the bg is a bookcase! Great idea about the pp, thanks

[rawpaw18]

DPR, Tried to work on the owl a bit.
All contrast adjustments are global and used dust spot remover
for the lights, but I think it looks better.

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[Prospero]

Rich, brilliant shots. Amazing colours and detail. The processing on the second shot is excellent.

I actually liked the reflections in the eyes, but the second shot does look a lot more as though it was actually taken in the wild.

[rawpaw18]

Thanks Dennis, after removing the catch lights it made the eyes less lively.
Although I agree it looks more natural. So now I have both!

[TheWengler]

Nice one Rich! Its eyes look like big Fruit Loops.

[SpecialK]

Huntington Beach pier.
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[Rooz]

DPR, Tried to work on the owl a bit.
All contrast adjustments are global and used dust spot remover
for the lights, but I think it looks better.

52178

this is fantastic mate. great shot.

[rawpaw18]

Thanks Rooz and Dennis,

American Bald Eagle in mid blink.

This was a crop from full head shot, so a litttle loss of detail.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4431094238_7455c51a95_o.jpg

[Falconest174]

Finally got a opportunity to get a few shots of some Mergansers that occasionally visit the local river. Usally they are out in the main channel fishing, but this time I caught them on my shore:D.

[tizeye]

A day at the beach

[GabrielC]

Lots of nice interesting shots - I should visit more often ...

A "regular" Parus Major from me:

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[Phill D]

Lots of brilliant shots here recently well done guys.
Heres a swan that posed for me when I went out to try to grab an early morning sunrise.
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[Falconest174]

Nothing more dignified than a swan, or is that snobby?;)
Here is a duck that is new to our area. (Upstate NY, USA)
A Bufflehead.

[SpecialK]

Flamingoes.
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[Phill D]

No not snobby at all I'd say quite descriptive Falconest. Here's a different perspective of the same swan still looking dignified. Although she started to get a bit fed up being a model just after that so I beat a hasty retreat.
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[Falconest174]

Saw this mother Mallard herding her flock all 12 of them!
Must be Cheaper by the dozen. :p
Surprisingly unaware of my presence, I was able to get a number of shots as she escorted her brood around the shore area feeding in the shallows.

[Geoff Chandler]

Falconest174 - those are cute little ducklings - nicely captured on photo I mean!!!)
Here's a couple of a Mandarin Duck I saw today...
first one - getting ruffled in the wind.............
(Actually - think it was also having a bit of a shake as well!)

[Geoff Chandler]

Next shot - after the Mandarin had turned around and the wind
stopped blowing it....'I'm cool!! Now worries!
(Taken with the Tamron 28 - 200)

[Falconest174]

Is that one wild or in an Aviary?
Either way it's gorgeous.
And I am Green with envy.:D

[Phill D]

Lovely colours Geoff. That duck looks almost painted in its quality really smooth & vivid. Is that the quality of that lens you used or did you do something in PP. As Falconest said either way it's gorgeous well done.

[Geoff Chandler]

Falconest174 & Phil D - Thanks
This was taken in the middle of Richmond Park - just outside London.
They have a place called the Isabella Plantation - within that there are
some ponds - various breeds are living there freely
That lens is pretty sharp most of the time, I find it best around F8 - F11
generally and tried to keep it in that vacinity.
These 2 images were both shot at 200mm (supposed to be the soft end
of the lens!) and at F8
I don't like to process too much, I have my settings in camera sorted
(wb, Contrast, Saturation etc) to get as close to an accurate representation
as I can manage.
When I resize I usually use a very very small degree of sharpening
In photo shop that would be 40 on the amount, 1.2 on the radius and 2 on the
threshold - merely to make up for the reduction.
Here's another - a different bird - same breed - different part of the
plantation - merely reduced in size and the above minimal sharpening applied.

[Geoff Chandler]

~ Not sure what breed these ones are>>??.....

[benp]

I think they're Egyptian geese, Geoff. Kind of in between a goose and a shelduck. There seem to be lots of them along the Thames

[SpecialK]

At the park across the street.
53105

53106

[Kushnirenko]

Kharkiv, Ukraine. Canon EOS 50D. May. 2010

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1035/4604563730_71fbfd5b48_b.jpg (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1035/4604563730_51b1e82463_o.jpg)

[Kushnirenko]

Kharkiv, Ukraine. Canon EOS 50D. May. 2010

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1091/4611571795_eed53372ed_b.jpg (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1091/4611571795_60c67480d2_o.jpg)

[Falconest174]

Here are a couple from a recent walk.
The first is a female Redwing Blackbird. Big difference from the male coloration. The second is a Sandpiper very rare for our area, the first I have ever seen here.

[SpecialK]

More local birds.
53195

53196

53197

53198

53199

[SpecialK]

Circled the pond a few minutes and made a few dive-bombs.
53232

[rawpaw18]

GBH after the rain

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4621473600_55fc7e0808_o.jpg

[Falconest174]

Rawpaw;
Nice Heron. :D
They haven't gotten here, yet. Usually in June.

[rawpaw18]

Thanks, we have them year round. Saw one at local McDonalds last week
in one of those parking lot ponds. Must want the filet-o-fish sandwich.
Pretty work on the red-wing btw

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

One by my 9 year old

[Kushnirenko]

Kharkiv, Ukraine. Canon EOS 50D. May. 2010

Morning sleepiness
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/4626852753_d9c6ae60a0_b.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/4626852753_25cec53d5c_o.jpg)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4626851405_e039a81299_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4626851405_158518a431_o.jpg)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4627464844_2d98e96245_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4627464844_35658a8da4_o.jpg)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/4627462776_1bd7d9dc29_b.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/4627462776_014084267a_o.jpg)

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Nice heron Rawpaw.
Like 4 with all the reflection K.

This one's captive at our zoo.

[rawpaw18]

Well composed and exposed DPR, your daughter is doing great too!

[Kushnirenko]

Kharkiv, Ukraine. Canon EOS 50D. May. 2010

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4636187678_3b276d78ba_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4636187678_0bf69073fc_o.jpg)

[rawpaw18]

A few varieties

1. My first Goldfinch
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3366/4637604156_21f85e13c2_o.jpg

2. Housefinch
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3348/4637604352_8edbb8c157_o.jpg

3. Bluejay
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4636995015_e0dae5a83f_o.jpg

4. Male Cowbird
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3415/4637604696_491835293e_o.jpg

[Falconest174]

Great shots Rawpaw.
How did you get the Goldfinch to stay still?
All I see around here are black and gold streaks. :D
What is #4? I don't recognize it.

[rawpaw18]

Thanks, it is a male Cowbird.
Sorry thought I put ID on, fixed.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Thanks Rawpaw.
You're really working your 70-200 now, nice.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

In the zoo aviary

[rawpaw18]

Thanks DPR, using the 70-200 for all its worth. And getting
the most out of my 6mp camera too. lol

Couple bigger subjects

Great Egret
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3374/4649079118_5709ebfe05_b.jpg

Blue Heron
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3458/4649079006_f183033ee8_b.jpg

Bald Juvi
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4649079264_5fafb3f647_b.jpg

[kgosden]

Out along the river yesterday. Caught a few of this blue heron flying. Then I spied him a bit too far off while he caught his supper,

[rawpaw18]

Wow it is big fish to swallow.

[frinky77]

My parents are pretty good at getting a few baltimore orioles to feed at their house quite regularly. I brought my camera with me to our memorial day cook out to capture a few photos.

http://www.scaredycatfilms.com/photos/gallery/Birds/oriole_1_sm.jpg

Larger Size - http://www.scaredycatfilms.com/photos/gallery/Birds/oriole_1.jpg

And a second brighter one.

http://www.scaredycatfilms.com/photos/gallery/Birds/oriole_5_sm.jpg

Larger Image - http://www.scaredycatfilms.com/photos/gallery/Birds/oriole_5.jpg

[Falconest174]

Nice pics, Frinky77. We don't even see them here, at least in the city. I have seen Goldfinches streaking by in a gold and black blur:(.

[Turo]

I didn't take these next two, my girlfriend did, I'm just posting them here for her.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4624764780_237a0d06f4.jpg
flickr link (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindseynphillips/4624764780/)


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/4624160679_7ac78d4e0c.jpg
flickr link (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindseynphillips/4624160679/)

[rawpaw18]

Your girlfriend rocks, also consider yourself lucky if
she gives your camera back. :D

[Turo]

I think she's the reason I bought a D700, she wouldn't give me back the D50 lol!

[Don Kondra]

Goldfinches...

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/Goldfinch-1.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/Gold8June.jpg

Cheers, Don

[rawpaw18]

Beautiful captures Don

[Don Kondra]

Thank you Rich.

For some strange reason I doubt I've seen more than a dozen goldfinches to date this summer. And only one pair of hummingbirds have returned, sigh...

Cheers, Don

[kgosden]

Caught this series in the backyard today.

[rawpaw18]

Love the use of slower ss to show the motion. Very nice

Eastern Kingbird on a stake.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4697621251_7d41d9e00d_b.jpg

[kgosden]

This bird flew down about 8 feet away. I caught him grabbing something. I couldn't tell what it was until after I was able to zoom in and crop it at home.

[Kushnirenko]

Kremenchuk, Ukraine. Canon EOS 50D. Jun. 2010

Seagulls over Dnipo
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4719414597_57a88c9b6d_b.jpg (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4719414597_d8a3310c7c_o.jpg)

Seagull
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1188/4722786533_3a899a955a_b.jpg (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1188/4722786533_498ac27770_o.jpg)

Pigeon
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1416/4722781931_223ca77d86_b.jpg (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1416/4722781931_b145de75d0_o.jpg)

Hooded Crow
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1398/4723426000_ed3508548f_b.jpg (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1398/4723426000_323b36d84b_o.jpg)

[SpecialK]

At the park across the street.
53801

53802

[Don Kondra]

Still working on my hummingbird technique ;)

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/Morningtwo.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/Sundayhummer4.jpg

Cheers, Don

[Kushnirenko]

Kremenchuk, Ukraine. Canon EOS 50D. Jun. 2010

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1136/4731070300_3eff6dec78_b.jpg (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1136/4731070300_2d471c9b78_o.jpg)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1177/4730424999_a7fd958238_b.jpg (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1177/4730424999_1fff064f4b_o.jpg)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1242/4730298979_b76ed0df36_b.jpg (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1242/4730298979_8a91544d7d_o.jpg)

[Don Kondra]

All dressed up and giving me the tongue :)

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/Hummertongue.jpg

Cheers, Don

[Don Kondra]

The larger bird is a cowbird being fed by a mature sparrow. Apparently cowbirds will lay an egg in a song birds nest and they will adopt and raise the fledgling.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/Momfeedingbaby-2.jpg

Juvie male goldfinch enjoying a sunflower seed.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/Goldfinchpunkhair-1.jpg

Cheers, Don

[Geoff Chandler]

Is it my imagination? or does this Mr peacock look inteligent??

[kylejones]

http://phototheblog.com/wp-content/gallery/island-hopping/island-hopping-009.jpg

http://phototheblog.com/wp-content/gallery/about-face/about-face-013a.jpg

[Falconest174]

Well, It has been a long dry Summer. WE finally have had rain this last week, the first real rain since early June. The rivers had been so low that the usual selection of Herons and Egrets were noticeable by their absence. However last Thursday they showed up on my side of the river.:D 3 Egrets and Two Herons were around for the weekend and here is a sampling of the shots I was able to get.

[Anthony]

Went out looking for dragonflys - my latest obsession but ended up with some swans:

When I checked them out on the PC I thought they would look better with a blured background but when I went back they were in the water.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_twXBe0RgCpI/TFMovMkEmoI/AAAAAAAAAIs/e_2QF0zPiS8/s912/IMG_1060.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_twXBe0RgCpI/TFMoxDTPXBI/AAAAAAAAAIw/ormc47THhXs/s912/IMG_1078.jpg
I have this one as my desktop background.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_twXBe0RgCpI/TFMozH1auUI/AAAAAAAAAI8/VzzDM7WkZxI/s912/background.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_twXBe0RgCpI/TFMsaeh1BXI/AAAAAAAAAJs/uLmvk9_ECgg/s800/IMG_1097.jpg

[K1W1]

Something different.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4868529826_8d4427bbb0_b.jpg

[Falconest174]

Her is a rare visitor to our area. A Cedar Waxwing, part of what appears to be a family group of about 5-6 that have been here for several days.

[Falconest174]

Here is a series of shots taken of a pair of Herons that seemed to be disputing a fishing spot. See Nikon pic of the day for the victory flyby.:D

[GabrielC]

In a sunny morning ...


54876

[StefanoS]

Hi all, shot taken in Sweden with my Canon PowerShot SX100 IS.

Cheers,
Stefano

[StefanoS]

Nice Jay (I think this is its english name...) visiting us during our summer camping.

[StefanoS]

Regal bearing... isn't it?

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Great focussing Gabriel

[rawpaw18]

Bwwn some time since I posted here, but went to the Ocean this
week. Got upp early to try for some nice light.

1. Sanderling at sunrise
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rawpaw18/DSC_0053-9.jpg

2. Willets in the waves
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rawpaw18/DSC_0069-4.jpg

3. Sanderling with its shadow
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rawpaw18/DSC_0098.jpg

[AdamW]

The lighting is really pretty, Rich. I especially like #2.

[rawpaw18]

Thanks Adam

[StefanoS]

One of the few I've ever met...

[rawpaw18]

Nice looking Black Swan, not seen one in person,

I just got white Snowy, fluffing its feathers.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w280/rawpaw18/DSC_0105-2.jpg

[StefanoS]

Hi Rich,
this one's very nice although I like even more the pics in your previous post, really beautiful.

Cheers

[Falconest174]

Here is a group of shots taken as a sequence.

[Falconest174]

This is a sequence of a cormorant taking off. Taken while shooting high water after recent heavy 5"+ rains

[GabrielC]

Great focussing Gabriel

Thank you !

[alexrw3]

Taken with a Kodak Z915 while fishing the Ohio River. He did better than I did.

[rawpaw18]

Very nice, seen that move in the Karate Kid.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Cormorant, seagulls and a moorhen.

All I have round here is black swans, no white ones. Insane shots of the eagrets launching.

[TheWengler]

Duck, duck, duck, duck, goose! Except there are no ducks or geese. Nice shots DPR

[Don Kondra]

Caught this magpie's nictitating membrane with a two shot burst...

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/MagpieblinkMedium.jpg

Cropped..

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/MagpieheadshotMedium.jpg

Cheers, Don

[Don Kondra]

Such an amazing fall day I had to take a break and get outside :)

E-30, 50-200 + ec20 @ 400mm, handheld.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/Chickadee16Oct2010.jpg

Cheers, Don

[kgosden]

Don, Great crisp shot of the chickadee.

[rawpaw18]

Man trying to get a photo to show that is on flick r is a mess.
Anyways here is an American Bald that was feasting on a carcas
in the field. I almost blew by it.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1210/5106077146_e03a8eb984_o.jpg

[Don Kondra]

Don, Great crisp shot of the chickadee.

Thank you, appreciate it.

Cheers, Don

[Don Kondra]

On second thought I realized "we" don't know each other well enough for that kind of comment :)

Cheers, Don

[rawpaw18]

No worries at all Don, We are totally cool. I mean that.
I have made comments before that just do not translate the way I intended.
So much is lost in just text, I personally am extremely sarcastic, but it doesn't
convey in written script. Look forward to more posts on this and the other forum.

[Don Kondra]

First snow, sigh...

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/Snowchick.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg202/donkondra/Snowwoody.jpg

Cheers, Don

[kgosden]

Boy I do miss snow having moved south, but not in October.

[rawpaw18]

Love those snow shots Don, in particular the Chickadee.

[K1W1]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/5152909225_a40e5537d7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rreeve/5152909225/)

[rawpaw18]

A birders nightmare, white bird in full sun.
Looks really good even in those tough conditions.
Alot of detail in the feathers still.

[Phill D]

Some beautifully sharp shots here lately guys nice to see.
Haven't done any birds for a while so here is a close formation bombing raid.
55377

[rawpaw18]

Heavy cropped Red-Head from this summer.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1264/5163023104_01c2531ef7_b.jpg

[kgosden]

Rich,

Great color. I had a red headed woodpecker in my yard most of the Summer, but he never sat still for me.

[rawpaw18]

This tree must of had plenty for them to eat.
At times three would on the same tree.

[SpecialK]

Heavy cropped Red-Head from this summer.


Very nice.

[Falconest174]

Here is a simple plain old sparrow that I shot at a local shopping center as it perched on a sign.

[rawpaw18]

Thanks all,

Falconest174 Just plain ole sparrow huh? Looks great.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5174142273_feef686262_z.jpg

Winter American Goldfinch

[Kushnirenko]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5179267248_7eafa5c4c2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kushnirenko/5179267248/)

[Switchblade906]

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h134/switchblade906/DSC01050_2.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h134/switchblade906/DSC01035_2.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h134/switchblade906/DSC01039_2-1.jpg

[rawpaw18]

Great in flight Kush
SB love that first crane.

[Switchblade906]

^Thanks rawpaw

[Kushnirenko]

Kharkiv, Ukraine. Canon EOS 50D. Nov, 2010

After bathing
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1378/5181781435_bdaba2c7c1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kushnirenko/5181781435/)

Duck dances on water
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1108/5182382652_7e0ceec6cd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kushnirenko/5182382652/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1025/5182383412_2aaea39101_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kushnirenko/5182383412/)

[kgosden]

Drunk geese mooning the photographer.

[Switchblade906]

At Sea World
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h134/switchblade906/DSC01263.jpg

[kgosden]

Dull and gray today, but my backyard was visited by a couple of very large birds. Very distant too unfortunately. The red tailed hawk in the first one managed to find every perch with obstructions for the hour he hung out. I thought he was tough to capture until I spent an hour on the deck following this pileated woodpecker from limb to limb. Neither one got much closer than 100 feet.

[kgosden]

I had a little better success with the smaller birds like this pine warbler. They are Winter only residents here in Atlanta. They do make up for the goldfinches moving on.

[SpecialK]

Taken with an 800mm and a lightweight tripod...

55899

55900

[vid500]

I shot those in our garden.

http://vidfaith.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/pc257910.jpg

http://vidfaith.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/pc257897.jpg

http://vidfaith.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/pc257911.jpg

http://vidfaith.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/pc257927.jpg

http://vidfaith.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/pc257930.jpg

http://vidfaith.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/pc257857.jpg

http://vidfaith.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/pc257855.jpg

[kgosden]

Several inches of snow and below freezing temps makes everyone hungry.

[Falconest174]

Kgosden;
Getting more snow today I see. Snarling traffic and making a mess for those who are not used to seeing the white stuff. Drive careful, keep posting.:o

[kgosden]

The snowbound birds continued to flock to my feeders. One of our neighborhood bluebirds, our state bird, the thrasher and our loudest the Carolina Wren.

[Steve_W_1962]

Here are a couple I took yesterday with my new 70-200 lens

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o179/evetsdaehdoow/Nature/20110121_ShipleyPark_9999_13.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o179/evetsdaehdoow/Nature/20110121_ShipleyPark_9999_12.jpg

[Falconest174]

Great pics of the Swan and mallard. Love the reflection with the swan.

[Phill D]

Yes those are lovely Steve. Looks like you are going to have a good time with that lens. Results like that will help to ease the pain in your wallet and I'm sure the first few pictures of the kids you get with it will make you wonder why you hadn't bought it long ago. I look forward to many more posts in future.

[Steve_W_1962]

Falconest174
Thanks for your comments, very much appreciated :)

Phill
Yes, my wallet did take quite a hit for this lens, but I'm sure it'll repay me in time by delivering some top quality results (as long as I do my bit with it and the camera of course :) )
It's definitely in a different league to the lens it's replaced in my kit bag.

[SpecialK]

The periodic fountain scares the birds.
56113

So did I, though this guy relaxed a little after this shot.
56114