Bird photography

[RedRobin]

.
A mate of mine (local born and bred West Dorset man) is an experienced fly fisherman (various official bodies consult him) and tells me that where there are Kingfishers, if you stick out a long branch one will sometimes use it as a perch to hunt from. More than once he has had one land on his Carp rod!

[rich83]

^^^^ Stunning photo. I love how you have captured the dynamic legs and bird's balance.  

Great photo there... for some reason when viewing that pic online it has a blue cast. I opened it up in photoshop and the colours are completely normal 

[RedRobin]

Great photo there... for some reason when viewing that pic online it has a blue cast. I opened it up in photoshop and the colours are completely normal  

....I'm now realising that I don't look at photos with such a highly critical eye as you do, Rich. All I see (unless a cast or something is absolutely spoiling a shot) is the action or mood which is captured and composition and general colour and/or effect. It's probably because I'm using a ~£300 pocket camera and not thousands of pounds worth of finest camera gear which would give me higher expectations of.

[PND]

Great photo there... for some reason when viewing that pic online it has a blue cast. I opened it up in photoshop and the colours are completely normal 

What browser are you using Rich?  Looks the same in Photoshop as it does in Chrome for me.. 

I'm getting better results using the camera is 'sports mode' as the faster shutter speeds are giving better results.  Obviously getting high ISO values because of it as I'm pretty much at the 400mm end of the lens and therefore more noise than ideal.  Is there any way around this?  I suppose while there's plenty of light about, it's OK.  I am now aiming for quality rather than quantity when I go out!

Everyone's feedback and encouragement is very welcome!

[rich83]

Using safari mate... its odd that it displays perfectly on flickr, but not on this forum. 

Anyway...looking at that photo for example the shutter speed it 1/2000 which is very short and ISO 1000 which is very high, you could have used 1/500 and then you could have used ISO ~250. Use the camera in Tv mode and select a shutter speed of about 1/400-1/500 for birds in flight photos. 

[PND]

Using safari mate... its odd that it displays perfectly on flickr, but not on this forum. 

Anyway...looking at that photo for example the shutter speed it 1/2000 which is very short and ISO 1000 which is very high, you could have used 1/500 and then you could have used ISO ~250. Use the camera in Tv mode and select a shutter speed of about 1/400-1/500 for birds in flight photos. 

Weird!  Looks OK in Safari as well for me.  Thanks for the advice - I'll give it a go next time.  I wish I'd started 20 years ago with this photography lark!

[RedRobin]

^^^^
Viewed on latest Safari on my Mac, there is a bluish tinge to some parts but the wing's secondary feathers are pure white and any blue is tending to look like blue sky reflections on the water.

But Rich is right: All photography is a balance between aperture and speed, with ISO rating thrown in to help it where needed. So, in this case, you can afford to reduce some of your settings in order to achieve a better balance. Each setting delivers different properties.

You're doing very well, PND, in my opinion and it's more important to get the shot and enjoy it.

[PND]

Cheers Robin.  I certainly am not claiming to be anything but the lowliest of amateurs at the moment!  "All the gear and no idea!"   

I'm just very fortunate to have the perfect models right on my doorstep, well across the road anyway!

I am enjoying my new hobby very much. 

[rich83]

This is my take on the goose taking off shot...


Goose Silhouette by Rich Wigley, on Flickr

[RedRobin]

Cheers Robin.  I certainly am not claiming to be anything but the lowliest of amateurs at the moment!  "All the gear and no idea!"    

I'm just very fortunate to have the perfect models right on my doorstep, well across the road anyway!

I am enjoying my new hobby very much.  

....What you do have is an 'eye' for it - The ability to recognise the moment you want to capture and share or remember. Some people can have all the gear and the technical knowledge but not have 'the eye'. At least with all the gear, you have something to aspire to without being restricted by your gear.

[RedRobin]

This is my take on the goose taking off shot...


Goose Silhouette by Rich Wigley, on Flickr

....Stunning - as I always expect from you 

But I like PND's goose shot equally but in a different way. 

[PND]

But I like PND's goose shot equally but in a different way. 

That'll be my Mute "Goose" Swan shot then!

Great pic Rich. 

[RedRobin]

But I like PND's goose shot equally but in a different way. 

That'll be my Mute "Goose" Swan shot then!

....That's totally Rich's fault - He called it a Goose!

[rich83]

Goose... Swan... chaffinch... they are all the same! 

[PND]

A few more to keep you going..

Crow v Sparrowhawk (not Kestrel as I originally thought!)


Canada Geese


Frosty morning


Linnets


Grey Heron


Grey Heron