Laughing Kookaburra

[Brian Gunter]

New member - great website.

This photograph is of a Laughing Kookaburra about to land. Very swift bird and hard to keep in camera frame while panning. Image photographed at Wentworth, NSW, Australia.

Canon 1D Mark II N / 400, 5.6 L / monopod
ISO 640 / 1/6400 / f 5.6 / AI Servo / Av / RAW / No flash / Low speed drive

Cropped about 20%. I am not concerned about the background which can be Photoshopped out, but I wanted the details of the bird to be sharp.

Is it better to pan on AI Servo or pre-focus?

[Brian Gunter]

Whooops - I forgot to add the photograph. I told you that I was a new member!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Welcome, Brian! And I was wondering why the thumbnail doesn't show. :) Great landing pose captured. I wish for a bit more space at the bottom. The path (?) in the BG is a bit distracting and if you would have used fill flash you would have gotten a catchlight in the eye of the bird. Keep them coming.

[Jody Melanson]

I agree with what Axel said and also, welcome to BPN!