Went on a bit of birding adventure today
Actually, I just drove about five miles down the road where there are a bunch of old oaks. I see birds there all the time so I wanted to see what I could capture. As luck would have it, it was a huge party for robins more or less. I really need to practice on focusing manually. For some reason, what I think is in focus through my viewfinder doesn't always turn out so, but anyhow, I got a few captures of some robins.
They were mostly hanging out in and amongst the branches like this.
But ocassionally they would pop out in the clear.
Here I didn't get the focus correct, but to tell you the truth, I need to look at the exif, because I may have been in auto.
However, while I was walking in and around the brush, I kept hearing this pecking. I knew there had to a woodpecker nearby and sure enough after some quick glances in the general direction of the pecking sound some black and white caught my attention. It was a downy woodpecker.
Of course, as luck would have it, a branch obscures my view. :mad: :banghead:
It starts to feed on some berries. I say, "it", but I think it is a female because I do not see the red feathers associated with the male downy. Anyhow, the branches still wreak havoc.
She rights herself on a branch but turns away from me.
Then she turns her head but my shot came out a bit soft. Nevertheless, the view is nice.
She jumps over to another branch before flying away. You will see more branch obstruction.
As I walk further down the oak treed lined path, I hear the pecking again. This time it is a male who doesn't give me much of any time to snap a picture. He gives me his back first.
Almost instanteously he turns to show me his bright red feathers.
The rest of the shots just didn't turn out. I need to do a lot of practicing in 2007.
They were mostly hanging out in and amongst the branches like this.
But ocassionally they would pop out in the clear.
Here I didn't get the focus correct, but to tell you the truth, I need to look at the exif, because I may have been in auto.
However, while I was walking in and around the brush, I kept hearing this pecking. I knew there had to a woodpecker nearby and sure enough after some quick glances in the general direction of the pecking sound some black and white caught my attention. It was a downy woodpecker.
Of course, as luck would have it, a branch obscures my view. :mad: :banghead:
It starts to feed on some berries. I say, "it", but I think it is a female because I do not see the red feathers associated with the male downy. Anyhow, the branches still wreak havoc.
She rights herself on a branch but turns away from me.
Then she turns her head but my shot came out a bit soft. Nevertheless, the view is nice.
She jumps over to another branch before flying away. You will see more branch obstruction.
As I walk further down the oak treed lined path, I hear the pecking again. This time it is a male who doesn't give me much of any time to snap a picture. He gives me his back first.
Almost instanteously he turns to show me his bright red feathers.
The rest of the shots just didn't turn out. I need to do a lot of practicing in 2007.
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BTW, you did good ..... cant wait to see more!
happy new year
troy
www.capture-the-pixel.com
I've had horrible luck with birds so I understand completly!
Psst, just curious...how long is your lens?
Thanks and Happy New Year!!
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Equine Photography in Maryland - Dressage, Eventing, Hunters, Jumpers
Thanks. I use a Canon 100-400 F4.5-5.6L series lens. I have only had about two weeks and I already want more reach. Is that not screwy?
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Haha, lenses are an addicition! I have to 70-300 4-5.6 which I was happy with since I was shooting mostly horse shows and it was longer than the usual pro lens 70-200 2.8. I went out and got the 70-200 2.8 and while I love the image quality I'm now using it more often and I want MORE reach. I'm like ooohhh for a 500mm! However...price is another story! Ah well.
So, not screwy at all!
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Equine Photography in Maryland - Dressage, Eventing, Hunters, Jumpers
Dave
You can say that again! But they aren't as bad as finches.
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Your exposures were a tad off in the latter shots (underexposed).
You were dealing with extremely difficult shooting conditions.
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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!"
Thanks Harry. I tried AF as much as I could but you are correct, my camera kept focusing on a limb or branch or leaf and not the subject. I also had to switch to manual for most of the last round of downy woodpecker shots becaue I was dealing with some bad shadows that would not allow auto focus. I didn't up the exposure because I was afraid the little would fly away.
I am definitely going to try to use AF more. I have been doing mostly manual focusing but my eyes must be bad because my shots are not always very sharp.
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