Falcon Pics...

ront

I don't generally post a lot of bird pictures for a couple of reasons. Number one is that I don't seem to get many chances to take them and frankly when I do, they are not great. Well, I am not sure that these are great either, but they are some of the best I have taken to date.
This last Saturday, a man was in one of the wheat fields behind our house working with his birds. He had a Gyr/Peregrine and a Peregrine falcon. If you have never had then chance to watch this up close and do get the chance, take it!! It is awesome to watch and a bit challenging to capture the birds in flight.
The following are a few pics that I took and a link to the rest of them can be found in this link.
http://ront.smugmug.com/gallery/7958636_n4mHE#517673698_R9AhJ
I used my Sony A700 and Sony18-250mm lens on these.

I hope that you enjoy these.

Ron

dnie

personally, I think they are great. What an opportunity!!

dlplumer

bfjr

Way cool
and you very well with the captures and story

Yes would love to be part of that

ront

Thanks for the replies.
I have a question maybe you can help me with please.
Do the pictures where the birds are flying show motion? In other words, do the birds look like they are moving? I have a friend that is telling me that "You see speed in the pictures because you were there and saw it, so your mind’s eye sees speed when you look at the pictures". He says that "a blurred background like this doesn’t provide a point of reference for someone to start with. It looks pretty much the same as an intentional blurring that one uses to cause the viewer to focus on the subject".
Now to me, the background looks blurred because I was panning with the bird, but I am just wondering what you all think also. I am here to learn.


Thanks for any input, Ron

imagesofhim

What an amazing experience!! I'm no one to take advice from, but I "see" the speed in his wings... just my humble opinion (which, with ten cents, you can buy a cup of coffee)!!

ront

Thanks Marjohn.

I would really like some input on my question if possible.

Thanks, Ron

timcallow

I'm sure some experienced photogs will respond to your post, but when I took a second look, as a pure spectator of the shot, the falcon looks like it is almost photoshopped on to the background, it does not look like it is in flight to me. I am no expert, and haven't tried it yet, but I have read about some techniques for showing motion, I might be a little naive, but here is a link that might help.

http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-capture-motion-blur-in-photography