Bernie, Huan, and the Hawk

Harryb · November 15, 2005

Hi you'll,

On Saturday I had the privilege of shooting with Bernie Campoli (aka Popeye) of Panama City, Florida and Huan Pham of California. Bernie is an extraordinary photographer who did some work with the Kennedy Space Center setting up their cameras to record launches. I met Huan at my Reznick Workshop last year.

You will note that Bernie shoots with an 800mm lens and needs a tripod for the lens and a mono pod for the camera body. Don't you just hate those show-offs with their long glass.

To all you westies out there we had pizza for lunch and Huan had the good taste not to order a pineapple pizza.

During the day I ran into this broad-winged hawk three times. He loved to perch on signs but hated being photographed.

At the end of the day I said Good-by to Bernie and Huan and tehre was enough time for me to do one final run through the Wetlands. On my way out I looked at a fence post and there was that hawk again

I was going to get that hawk this time! So I stealthily exited my car, bent low and slid down the embankment on my butt and took some shots.

I wanted more so I crawled a little closer and took some more shots.

Suddenly I realized that the whole time i had been sliding and crawling the hawk had been watching my every move, I decided to stand up and take a step toward him and I took a pic

The simple fact was that all of my stealth had been wasted. The hawk didn't care, I could have stood and walked and he wouldn't had flown. I think he enjoyed watching me make a fool out of myself. Birds are evil creatures

jeff lapoint · November 15, 2005

Outstanding series!

You know you're good when you get sharp shots using 700mm focals and 1/320 shutter speed! Tell me you at least had a monopod

And please refrain from mentioning yur butt in future posts

Osprey Whisperer · November 15, 2005

It's not the size of the lens...but rather the color. I notice it's not white..like the good guys wear.

That's some serious glass. Damn. He'd probably laugh at my 200mm.

I like the challenge of getting close. :uhoh

Some nice pics, Harry. I'm not diggin' that post but what a purdy bird. Maybe photoshop a "real" tree stump over that man made post? Oh well...at least you have raptor shots...unlike some others here. :cry

jwear · November 15, 2005

I see that you all shoot real close to the trunk ,well all but the butt sliding [more ifo than needed

mental image :uhoh ]it may have been a shot I can add to the collection

great work Harry .I have found if they let you into the zone then you can get close until they leave .Great shots ,oh and the easty westy that is why no pineapple

I do not want to carry a 500 ,tripod and a sidekick around but we walk 5 miles some days .very good shooting mr h

Harryb · November 15, 2005

jeff lapoint wrote:

Outstanding series!

You know you're good when you get sharp shots using 700mm focals and 1/320 shutter speed! Tell me you at least had a monopod

And please refrain from mentioning yur butt in future posts

Thanks Jeff. I regret to inform you that all the shots were handheld. There was just no way I could bring the ole tripod on this mission.

If you want to talk butts you have to talk to Jeff the "Butt King". Just be grateful that all my butt regerence were in text. The next time they could be photographs.

Osprey Whisperer · November 15, 2005

Harryb wrote:

If you want to talk butts you have to talk to Jeff the "Butt King". Just be grateful that all my butt regerence were in text. The next time they could be photographs.

Ahh I didn't realize you had an ULTRA WIDE ANGLE lens in your bag.

:hide

Sorry.....that was evil of me. Couldn't resist.

ehughes · November 15, 2005

Great series Harry ( as always ) I really like the "One Way" shot

ginger_55 · November 16, 2005

Good shots, Harry!

I am seeing raptors here. Why?

also, a car? You got a car into the wilderness?

I love the shots!

Butt shots are fine with me if they are commendable in some other way.

ginger

Thusie · November 16, 2005

Harryb wrote:

The simple fact was that all of my stealth had been wasted. The hawk didn't care, I could have stood and walked and he wouldn't had flown. I think he enjoyed watching me make a fool out of myself. Birds are evil creatures

Hum..Yea I would say 4 & 6 are certainly the hawk 'stupid human' look:D

Nice shots Harry

Harryb · November 16, 2005

Bird Man Photographer wrote:

It's not the size of the lens...but rather the color. I notice it's not white..like the good guys wear. That's some serious glass. Damn. He'd probably laugh at my 200mm. I like the challenge of getting close. :uhoh

Some nice pics, Harry. I'm not diggin' that post but what a purdy bird. Maybe photoshop a "real" tree stump over that man made post? Oh well...at least you have raptor shots...unlike some others here. :cry

Thanks Mike. I was happy he was on a fence post that was a major improvement over the signs he had been sitting on the first 3 times I saw him.

Ric Grupe · November 16, 2005

I like seeing shots like that first one.

It gives me insight into your world....a very interesting one!:D

Bernie does have a big one....

....a Sigma, I think.

Harryb · November 16, 2005

jwear wrote:

I see that you all shoot real close to the trunk ,well all but the butt sliding [more ifo than needed mental image :uhoh ]it may have been a shot I can add to the collection great work Harry .I have found if they let you into the zone then you can get close until they leave .Great shots ,oh and the easty westy that is why no pineapple I do not want to carry a 500 ,tripod and a sidekick around but we walk 5 miles some days .very good shooting mr h

Thanks Jeff. You never really know with raptors what will set them off. I had an eagle take off on me yesterday and I was pretty far away from him. This hawk flew off three times before when I wasn't as close as I was during our last encounter.

Osprey Whisperer · November 16, 2005

Harryb wrote:

Thanks Mike. I was happy he was on a fence post that was a major improvement over the signs he had been sitting on the first 3 times I saw him.

Actually...I like that "One Way" shot. Albeit...not a "natural wildlife lookng shot"..it does speak to many..I'm sure. ..nice captures.

Harryb · November 16, 2005

Bird Man Photographer wrote:

Ahh I didn't realize you had an ULTRA WIDE ANGLE lens in your bag.

:hide

Sorry.....that was evil of me. Couldn't resist.

Cheap shot! :pissed

I really expect better of you Mike. I want a little more imagination and effort on these put downs.

Seesh, if you let one slide the whole forum will go to the dogs. God anything but the dogs.

Osprey Whisperer · November 16, 2005

I was trying to butter you up for the challenge selection, Harry. I'll try harder next time.

Michael Allen · November 16, 2005

Nice shots Harry, it's not fair! I can walk half a day and not see the raptors you get.
1- you guys pull up in a car
2- pop the trunk
3- pull out those telescopes
4- set up tripods
5- set up monopods
6- finally shoot

I'm definately doing something wrong.

Angelo · November 16, 2005

In recognition of your fine butt work...
Very nice shots Harry./

Harryb · November 16, 2005

ehughes wrote:

Great series Harry ( as always ) I really like the "One Way" shot

Thanks a lot Ed.

ginger_55 · November 16, 2005

Well, mentioning my favorite shot, it is of the bird all messed up from shaking himself, or whatever it is that birds do: shaking it all about?

I do like the first shot, too. For different reasons than the other shots.

ginger

bfjr · November 16, 2005

Good Set Harry neat story/background
Little butt sliding is good for you :lol
I am sorry that you would not let poor Huan enjoy a proper pizza, but I commend him for his politeness

Harryb · November 16, 2005

ginger_55 wrote:

Good shots, Harry!

Thank you

I am seeing raptors here. Why?

Because raptors live in your part of the USA.

also, a car? You got a car into the wilderness?

Its not easy but the roads through the wetlands help a tad.

I love the shots!

Thank you very much

Butt shots are fine with me if they are commendable in some other way.

I'm afraid that any shot of my butt would have nothing to commend it.

Harryb · November 17, 2005

Thusie wrote:

Hum..Yea I would say 4 & 6 are certainly the hawk 'stupid human' look:D

Nice shots Harry

Thanks. That hawk watched every move I made. I'm sure he enjoyed the show.

Harryb · November 17, 2005

Ric Grupe wrote:

I like seeing shots like that first one.

It gives me insight into your world....a very interesting one!:D

Bernie does have a big one.... ....a Sigma, I think.

Hiya Ric,

Bernie's lens is a Nikon. I alway enjoy getting the chance to shoot with other photographers.

Bernie, Huan, and the Hawk

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