Some Avian Portraits

riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
edited April 6, 2009 in Wildlife
Hi all!
Haven't been posting for some time now.
I think I've been suffering from a mild case of 'stage fright',
I keep comparing my images to all the great posts I see on this and other forums
and keep trying to measure up.
Anyway, I've now finally worked up enough courage to venture out again and
share some of my recent photographic attempts :cry :cry :cry

OK, enough melodrama and on with the show :barb :ivar :barb :ivar :D

Here's my recent attempt at avian portraiture.
As usual, C&C are welcome.


HOUSE FINCH POSING
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MISS PYRRHULOXIA BEING PRETTY
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MR. PYRRHULOXIA CHECKING HER OUT
499799514_seUBo-O.jpg





MR. VERDIN KEEPING AN EYE ON THINGS
499799342_fX7nh-O.jpg





HOODED ORIOL SIPPING ON THE JOB
499799285_rpNYc-O.jpg





ROADRUNNER...NOT RUNNING?
499799570_VhHFM-O.jpg





MR. & MRS. GAMBEL'S QUAIL ON STAGE
499799427_Ghq2a-O.jpg





499799495_CVukj-O.jpg





AND MR. NORTHERN CARDINAL SAYING "HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW"
501315172_RMVyJ-O.jpg
Russ
«1

Comments

  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited March 31, 2009
    "I keep comparing my images to all the great posts I see on this and other forums and keep trying to measure up." rolleyes1.gif

    Good meeting you the other day at San Joaquin, Russ. Now stop making fun of us. We are doing our best! :D
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited March 31, 2009
    Well Gee , looks like ya got over your Stage Fright
    in fine style rolleyes1.gifl

    Like em all thumb.gif
    Benjamin
    My Galleries
    Flicker
    G+
  • saurorasaurora Registered Users Posts: 4,320 Major grins
    edited March 31, 2009
    Beautiful set and what a variety! Love Mrs. Quail iloveyou.gif
  • DrinDrin Registered Users Posts: 139 Major grins
    edited March 31, 2009
    I love these. They are unbelievably adorable. The Hooded Oriol one is my favorite, the composition is really dynamic and the thorns really make it pop. Thanks for posting these.
    Canon EOS 1000D (Rebel XS)
    EF-S 18-55mm
    EF 75-300mm
  • hTrhTr Registered Users Posts: 361 Major grins
    edited March 31, 2009
    Not simply Photos Russ, Works of Art!!!clap.gif
    gary
  • stevehappstevehapp Registered Users Posts: 635 Major grins
    edited March 31, 2009
    Fantastic photos, russ..

    What was that about stage fright?

    boo hoo..

    rolleyes1.gif
    Canon 40D, 50mm f/1.8, 400mm f/5.6L, sigma 105mm Macro.
    Blog + Twitter
  • kgarrett11kgarrett11 Registered Users Posts: 525 Major grins
    edited March 31, 2009
    #1 is great and they just kept getting better from there. Good job.
    www.Prideinphotography.com
    Powered by Smugmug
    Three passions wildlife, golf and the STEELERS
    Equipment
    Nikon D4, D300
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited March 31, 2009
    All are super, Russ. thumb.gif

    I prefer the ones with darker backgrounds...the bright blue sky shots are nice but not nearly as engaging as some of the others.
  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited March 31, 2009
    Fabulous photos Russ thumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gif
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
    Facebook Fan Page
  • bhowdybhowdy Registered Users Posts: 658 Major grins
    edited March 31, 2009
    Now stop making fun of us. We are doing our best! :D

    Very nice series Russ. thumb.gif
    Keep in mind that this is a friendly forum. If you get out and take photos you will improve your skills. If you post them here and ask for critque .... you will receive it as well. Not always in a response for all to see, sometimes in the form of a PM or email.

    We all take bad photos, but we only try to post the better images. :ivar
    ________________

    Bob
    Maryville, TN.
    http://bhowdy.smugmug.com/
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 31, 2009
    I can see why you haven't been posting those ccaptures really suck. rolleyes1.gif


    Outstanding work Russ. clap.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
    edited March 31, 2009
    raptorcaptor wrote:
    "I keep comparing my images to all the great posts I see on this and other forums and keep trying to measure up." rolleyes1.gif

    Good meeting you the other day at San Joaquin, Russ. Now stop making fun of us. We are doing our best! :D
    Oh oh! Now my cover is blown :cry
    I needed an excuse to start posting again and the 'poor me' approach seemed as good as any at the time.
    As long as it doesn't backfire eek7.gifrolleyes1.gif
    Great meeting you too Glenn, finally got to match the face to the name.
    Saw your Florida post, awesome pics man thumb.gif
    Russ
  • riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
    edited March 31, 2009
    bfjr wrote:
    Well Gee , looks like ya got over your Stage Fright
    in fine style rolleyes1.gifl

    Like em all thumb.gif
    I don't know, my knees are still kind of wobbly, I'm still running a cold sweat,
    can't eat, can't drink and still feel those butterflies in my tummy :D
    Heck, but it's nice to be posting again!
    Glad you like them Ben, thanks
    Russ
  • riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
    edited March 31, 2009
    saurora wrote:
    Beautiful set and what a variety! Love Mrs. Quail iloveyou.gif
    Thanks Susan
    Russ
  • luisvluisv Registered Users Posts: 132 Major grins
    edited April 1, 2009
    Excellent set, Russ. These pictures are really beautiful.
    clap.gifclapclap.gifbowdown.gifbowbowdown.gif

    Where are you located?
    --
    Luis
  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited April 1, 2009
    Hey Russ, would you mind sharing what you do to actually get shots this good.

    Thanks,

    Dan
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
    Facebook Fan Page
  • riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
    edited April 2, 2009
    Drin wrote:
    I love these. They are unbelievably adorable. The Hooded Oriol one is my favorite, the composition is really dynamic and the thorns really make it pop. Thanks for posting these.
    Thank you for the complement, much appreciated.
    This hooded oriole was very skittish but I was fortunate to get close enough to get this almost full frame shot of it.
    Russ
  • riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
    edited April 2, 2009
    hTr wrote:
    Not simply Photos Russ, Works of Art!!!clap.gif

    Your compliment is highly appreciated.
    Russ
  • riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
    edited April 2, 2009
    stevehapp wrote:
    Fantastic photos, russ..

    What was that about stage fright?

    boo hoo..

    rolleyes1.gif

    Oh! just looking for some sympathy :cry :D
    Actually, this was just my silly way of reintroducing myself to this forum since it's been a while since I've posted here.
    Thanks for your compliment Steve
    Russ
  • riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
    edited April 2, 2009
    kgarrett11 wrote:
    #1 is great and they just kept getting better from there. Good job.
    Thanks Keith
    Russ
  • riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
    edited April 2, 2009
    Ric Grupe wrote:
    All are super, Russ. thumb.gif

    I prefer the ones with darker backgrounds...the bright blue sky shots are nice but not nearly as engaging as some of the others.
    Much appreciated Ric
    Russ
  • riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
    edited April 2, 2009
    dlplumer wrote:
    Fabulous photos Russ thumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gifthumb.gif
    Thanks Dan
    Russ
  • wholenewlightwholenewlight Registered Users Posts: 1,529 Major grins
    edited April 2, 2009
    Wow, amazing shots
    Did I say Wow? Wow!
    clap.gif
    john w
    http://cspics.smugmug.com/

    I knew, of course, that trees and plants had roots, stems, bark, branches and foliage that reached up toward the light. But I was coming to realize that the real magician was light itself.
    Edward Steichen

  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited April 2, 2009
    Well that's it! Now you have given ME stage fright! You mongrel Russ! eek7.gif

    Great set, as always. clap.gif
    Mike Helbig

    http://www.michaelhelbigphotography.com
    http://www.thewildpig.blogspot.com
  • riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
    edited April 2, 2009
    bhowdy wrote:
    Very nice series Russ. thumb.gif
    Keep in mind that this is a friendly forum. If you get out and take photos you will improve your skills. If you post them here and ask for critque .... you will receive it as well. Not always in a response for all to see, sometimes in the form of a PM or email.

    We all take bad photos, but we only try to post the better images. :ivar
    Thanks for your reassuring guidance and compliment Bob thumb.gif
    Russ
  • riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
    edited April 2, 2009
    Harryb wrote:
    I can see why you haven't been posting those ccaptures really suck. rolleyes1.gif


    Outstanding work Russ. clap.gif
    rolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gif
    Thanks Harry, it's good to be posting again.
    Sorry I missed you in Bosque, I looked you up at your hotel but by then you had already checked out.
    I guess I'll have to make that dreaded trip to Florida wings.gif :ivar
    Russ
  • riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
    edited April 2, 2009
    luisv wrote:
    Excellent set, Russ. These pictures are really beautiful.
    clap.gifclapclap.gifbowdown.gifbowbowdown.gif

    Where are you located?
    --
    Luis
    Thanks for your compliment and inquiry Luis.
    I live in Los Angeles but took these images on a recent trip to southeastern Arizona.
    Russ
  • riddim_makerriddim_maker Registered Users Posts: 1,835 Major grins
    edited April 2, 2009
    dlplumer wrote:
    Hey Russ, would you mind sharing what you do to actually get shots this good.

    Thanks,

    Dan
    Not at all Dan.
    These are all wild birds drawn to a small pond in the middle of the Arizona desert.
    We setup some food and perches, wait in blinds and shoot.
    We try to ensure that there's good distance between the perches and the background
    to produce a nice bokeh.
    I used a 500mm lens + 1.4 TC
    This was actually my first time doing this, it seems to be a very effective method for producing images
    of birds that would otherwise be difficult to reproduce consistently in the wild.
    Russ
  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited April 3, 2009
    riddim_maker wrote:
    Not at all Dan.
    These are all wild birds drawn to a small pond in the middle of the Arizona desert.
    We setup some food and perches, wait in blinds and shoot.
    We try to ensure that there's good distance between the perches and the background
    to produce a nice bokeh.
    I used a 500mm lens + 1.4 TC
    This was actually my first time doing this, it seems to be a very effective method for producing images
    of birds that would otherwise be difficult to reproduce consistently in the wild.

    Thanks Russ. Where in AZ are you. I'm in Tucson. I have a 300 and 1.4, a fountain, food, perches, but no blind. Maybe that is my next challenge/purchase. Your shots are amazing.

    Dan
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
    Facebook Fan Page
  • Osprey WhispererOsprey Whisperer Registered Users Posts: 3,803 Major grins
    edited April 4, 2009
    Hey stranger....... Real nice series Russ. thumb.gifthumb.gif
    Mike McCarthy

    "Osprey Whisperer"

    OspreyWhisperer.com
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