A Few More Birds from Harry's Shoot

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Harry posted some shots of smaller birds and vultures, so I'll start with a Ruddy Turnstone.

I saw these fellows scatttering around while we were shooting the pelicans, and I took this record shot so I could find out later what kind of bird they are. I had never heard of a Turnstone, let alone a Ruddy Turnstone, but that is what this bird is, in its winter plumage I believe.



This shot demonstrates how you go about removing a fish hook from a pelican's gullet.... That is Nightingale in pretty pink in the background



Here is a pelican landing - you would think they make a bigger splash wouldn't you??



We've seen several GBH's, but here is one in flight


And a portrait of a GBH - In Indiana I am lucky if I can even identify a GBH in the frame at all.


And I know Harry said no more egrets, but this nest building egret in flight I can't resist. Sorry Harry:dunno



And how about some B&W work Harry...or is that only for shots in the NY subway system and street shooters??





And lastly a non-bird wildlife shot - this little fellow would just not hold still, nor stand up like the fellow captured over at the Nikon Cafe




Once again, I want to thank Harry for putting up with all of us yahoos who joined him in Florida for this lovely experience shooting widlife.:thumb :clap :clap

Rohirrim

Great series Path. That GBH portrait is exceptional thumb, the rest are very nice as well.

pathfinder

Thanks, Steve.

GBHs here is Indiana must have a 75-100 yard flight radius - I have tried and tried to capture them here at home without much success. This fellow in Florida was on vacation; he just sat there with half a dozen shooters less than 15 yards away for 15 minutes before he finally had enough and lofted.

Harryb

Very nice set PF. I liked the B&W conversions a lot. Good capture of my hand on the pelican's back also.

I'm glad you enjoyed the session with the GBH. He charged me three frogs to sit for y'all.

pathfinder

Here's another one of the pelican wrestling:D You can see the monofiliament by its right foot.

ginger_55

Nice series of shots, PF. On the black and white one, the Snowy Egret, I loved it til I got to the feet. Looks like he is wearing bright white gloves. . Maybe you could tone them down or something. I have not seen that effect before.

ginger (I love that first one especially, the little bird)

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I see what you are referring to with the "Michael Jackson" looking feet, Ginger. The birds's feet are actually a bright yellow, even though its legs are black

ehughes

Great series PF

pathfinder

Thanks Ed.:):

What's up these days on the Left Coast?

Trish323

Hi jim,

great meeting both you and Kathy!

Your shots are wonderful!

pathfinder

Thanks, Trish.:): I cross posted some of them over on the dark side last night.

saurora

Really nice series of shots. I especially like your 5th shot, the portrait of the GBH. You can count the feathers on his neck and the background is perfect. Would look great framed! I'm very new at this and don't do bird photography. What kind of equipment do you use? Could anyone recommend what would be the "minimal" equipment needed to take shots such as these? I've seen some great bird shots...I could get interested!

pathfinder

Thanks you Saurora. Bird photography can be very engaging and educational as well. You can shoot pictures of birds with any camera if you can get the birds to hold still, but that of course is the problem and the challenge. Birds can fly, and depart whenever they wish. And they most certainly do loft.

So.... most of the bird shooters here use DSLRs of some sort - a digital single lens reflex camera - where you actually look through the shooting lens.
Most of us use a Nikon or a Canon camera body - almost any of the digital SLRs from Nikon or Canon can be used successfully for capturing birds. The better cameras focus better and shoot much faster.
Then after a camera body comes lenses of some sort. Cameras are the cheap part. Good lenses are not the cheap part.

Most birders think 400mm is the bare minimum and I am inclined to agree with them. Then you need a good tripod to stabilze the camera and lens. And you still need a bird to hold still and put up with you while you get set up. It can be challenging like I said.

In Indiana, trying to shoot GBHs will drive you crazy. I have never got closer than 75 yards before they loft and fly away. But in Florida, this particular bird let us get within 45 feet for aver 15 minutes. It was great and the closest I have ever been to a GBH. Harry said that GBH charged him three frogs. I think Harry got a great bargain. I would have offered even more!

You can get the information about the image by going to my gallery and clicking on the exif data button. This was shot with a 20D and a 300mm f2.8 IS L with a 2x Telextender, from a tripod - f8 1/500th ISO 200

Bird shooting can be very addictive, and expensive, but a great deal of healthy fun in the outdoors.