Jim Neiger
10-19-2009, 10:08 AM
http://www.flightschoolphotography.com/POST/NJM1.jpg
New Jersey - 1D3, 300mm+1.4xTC, hand held, 1/1600, F5, ISO 400, manual exposure
Hi All,
I just returned from a 10 day trip to New Jersey to photograph migrating birds of prey. My friend in New Jersey has a private spot where he sets up a decoy Owl on a pole and the birds sometimes buzz the owl as they are passing thru the area. While photographing, we cover ourselves from head to toe in camo gear. Many of the birds will not approch if they spot us. Then we sit and wait. Sometimes the action gets hot and heavy. Other times you can sit for hours without a single bird approaching. When the birds do come they arrive without warning, buzz the Owl once or twice, and then leave. It can be all over in a split second and the birds are moving VERY fast. We had a great time and were lucky enough to have quite a few opportunities.
The adult male Merlin is considered one of the most difficult and desireable subjects to photograph during the migration. Often called "Blue Jack" because of the blue feathers the adult males have on their backs, the Blue Jacks are small, extremely fast fliers that rarely buzz the owl. Most of the Merlins that buzz the owl are younger birds. One afternoon we were blessed with a visit from one of these elusive Merlins and he came while the light was sweet. He made three diving passes at the Owl and then he was gone. This was our only good Blue Jack opportunity in the 10 days that I was there. I was thrilled to come away with several images I liked including this one.
New Jersey - 1D3, 300mm+1.4xTC, hand held, 1/1600, F5, ISO 400, manual exposure
Hi All,
I just returned from a 10 day trip to New Jersey to photograph migrating birds of prey. My friend in New Jersey has a private spot where he sets up a decoy Owl on a pole and the birds sometimes buzz the owl as they are passing thru the area. While photographing, we cover ourselves from head to toe in camo gear. Many of the birds will not approch if they spot us. Then we sit and wait. Sometimes the action gets hot and heavy. Other times you can sit for hours without a single bird approaching. When the birds do come they arrive without warning, buzz the Owl once or twice, and then leave. It can be all over in a split second and the birds are moving VERY fast. We had a great time and were lucky enough to have quite a few opportunities.
The adult male Merlin is considered one of the most difficult and desireable subjects to photograph during the migration. Often called "Blue Jack" because of the blue feathers the adult males have on their backs, the Blue Jacks are small, extremely fast fliers that rarely buzz the owl. Most of the Merlins that buzz the owl are younger birds. One afternoon we were blessed with a visit from one of these elusive Merlins and he came while the light was sweet. He made three diving passes at the Owl and then he was gone. This was our only good Blue Jack opportunity in the 10 days that I was there. I was thrilled to come away with several images I liked including this one.