Dirt Bird(s) #2

These squabbling Long-billed Curlews were photographed at Morro Bay, CA with the Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens and the EOS-1D Mark III. (Gitzo 3530 LS, Mongoose low foot, and the Mongoose M3.5.) ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop. Flash at zero with Better Beamer.

This image was created after sunset. I remember praying for the lens to focus but after the battle I did not think that I could have gotten anything sharp at the relatively slow shutter speed so I was more than pleasantly surprised when I saw this on my laptop. You gotta love it.


Don't be shy; all comments welcome. I am here to learn too.

I like the golden water and the blurring and the behavior. This time wouldn't a higher angle give you more of the golden water? Oh, and what was your shutter speed?
John

I love the out of the box technique with the flash... a special photograph. However, I wish you would have photographed it from a higher angle as I do think the line between the water and that beautiful orange beach is a bit too harsh...and the dark top of the image is slightly boring. If you would have photographed it from a higher angle you might have been able to have a complete orange background, which would have been more spectacular imo.

Artie,
I agree with Jasper. More of Orange would have been great. The behaviour capture is very nice. I would like to know the exposure details.

This image has great texture in the orange sand. I would crop a bit from the top and leave dark strips at the top and bottom. I like this image.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

Ooops. The shutter speed was 1/250 sec. (at f/5.6). Yes, I would have liked all orange behind the bird. I was, however, standing at full height behind my tripod and, the fight lasted about five seconds... I was amazed and thrilled to capture a relatively sharp image with two nice poses and two good heads angles... Not to mention the correct exposure, so yes, you guys are all tough critics.

I think it is funny when people suggest the impossible., now if you had your 12 foot step ladder in tow, you would have been fine! (but then the angle would have been too steep)

superb image Artie, a great reason to carry a flash, I would have ended up with a silhouette!

I cannot see anything wrong with this image to be honest. THe mere fact that you said (Artie) the entire sequence lasted five seconds and the fact you could frame and capture this I am amazed. But that is why you are who you are. :)

Fabulous is probably the best way to sum it up.

BTW, any thoughts on the 800mm? I remember you mentioning previously that you would prefer a 600mm with a 1.4x so I am curious to know how you find the lens. I was fortunate enough to have a play with one for a few hours a couple of months back and I think it is superb.

Thanks guys. The 800 is totally amazing. The whole point is that you do not need a TC in cases where you used to need the 1.4, or that you can use the 1.4 in cases where you needed the 2X. George Lepp once wrote something like this: with a 1.4X TC, you will lose 14% sharpness, 28% with a 2X. (He went on to say that modern glass and TC quality allows us to create prefessionally sharp image even with these losses.)
I plan on doing a full review in about 2 weeks but trust me, sell your 600s now!

Your timing was awesome and the lighting and action superb. I would have been thrilled too !!!!!

Wonderful action - you made the most of the opportunity.

Fantastic short Artie, great timing. The birds appear to me to be a bit dark or perhaps a little too much contrast - but I have to say I have never seen these birds - I am assuming they are a similar plumage to Curlews? .......or more likely have I just shot myself in the foot!

Jon