Oregon birds

Oso

Just got back from two weeks in Oregon and ended up with a lot of birdie images. Three that kinda turned out:



Mallards, Hosmer Lake



Common murres, Yaquina Head (looks better large; here's a crop from similar image that shows incredible density of these things)



Western grebe, Klamath Lake (this color photo may be better)



Took this one on the Klamath Lake canoe trail. Not sure what type of bird. Help!

Thanks for looking,

Steve

Photo blog: http://stevehymonphotos.blogspot.com/
SmugMUg: http://stevehymon.smugmug.com

CraigK

That looks like a tree swallow.

Nice pictures. Looks like it was a fun trip.

DonFischer

Got out my field guide. That is a Tree Swallow.

joshhuntnm

Those are all nice. Unique shots. I like them all.

Oso

Hey guys --

thanks much and thanks for the bird ID!

Steve

puzzledpaul

Interesting head-on grebe shot, but (personally) would've preferred a much lower pov for this and the other grebe / mallard shots.
Each to their own, of course

pp



http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=235019&highlight=coot

Oso

puzzledpaul wrote: »

Interesting head-on grebe shot, but (personally) would've preferred a much lower pov for this and the other grebe / mallard shots.
Each to their own, of course

pp



http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=235019&highlight=coot

Not a bad idea. Took the mallard photo from a kayak and was pretty low but could have held camera over water I suppose. I was sitting on a pier for grebe photo -- there was room to lay down and get a foot or two lower. I'll give it a shot next time!

puzzledpaul

As I have no useful practical experience of taking (low level) pics from a kayak / canoe I've no idea whether the following is possible.

I am aware though of the differences (in results) that small changes in distance above water level make tho - and I'd be considering making some sort of (removable) support rig that could be hung over the side of the kayak. The gear you're using would let you get closer to water level than mine, but just holding it - unsupported - over the side - especially if trying to track a moving subject would be a difficult ask, imo.

However, trying it first - in a convenient environment - is a good first step, to see if you like the results

(lens centreline to water distance of the linked shot in previous post was probably 100 > 120mm btw)

pp

Oso

I think in stillwater -- and the water was very still for the mallard photo -- it would be possible to hold over the side. Maybe a little awkward but do-able. I have a Nikon D5100 and even with telephoto lens it's not that heavy. The 5100's screen also pivots which is very useful when holding camera over head or away from body. I'll give it a try next time on the water and see how it looks.

And if the camera goes for a swim, I'll blame you!

Steve

puzzledpaul

Oso wrote: »

And if the camera goes for a swim, I'll blame you!

Steve

Being blamed is one thing - getting the bill is another

Will be interesting to see how you get on ...

pp