I shot this Tuesday morning at a small pond in the desert not far from Green Valley, AZ. These birds are fairly common around here but I]'ve never been able to capture one. We were setup about 20 yards from the pond in pop up blinds. I was shooting my 40D with a rented 500 f4 off my wheelchair accessible quad pod. I got some earlier shot of one of these guys but the background and shot angle wasn't what I wanted. Then about 7:45am I got this shot which I liked.
1/1600 at f8 ISO 250 Exp Comp -1. Any and all CC needed
Beautiful bird and very nice pose. This would also work as a vertical crop and you could sharpen the bird a bit more and tone down the top of the upper mandible. Thanks for sharing!
I too vote for the vertical. I also, in addition to the above, might tone down the saturation a bit. I see you live in Apache Junction. I was there way back. My friend Steve Trice still lives there. He makes doors for a living. How do you get around in the wheelchair and photograph? I would love to see a image of your setup to encourage other similar persons so they too may take up the craft of photography. Please keep posting your art work.
A little too much saturation, I too agree about the vertical crop. I was at that location last year, great spot, lots of wildlife available. Did you manage to get the female too?
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. When I get home this weekend I will try following them.
Grady, check my web site for some info and pictures of adaptive equipment.www.NatureCallsPhotography.net
I try to write articles and show shots of getting out there in a wheelchair.
Alfred, I am trying to find a longer lens. Right now a 300 f4 is it. I've tried the 500 and 600 and they are really too big for me to handle without help. I tried the Bigma last fall and sidn't like the IQ I got. Same with the 100-400 I rented. I was thinking about the 400 DO mostly because of the size and weight but have seen some poor reviews on IQ. Was thinking about a 300 2.8 and a TC. Guess I need to try the DO. Thanks
Hey Guerry, Yes to desaturating the yellows and reds and yes to more sharpening on the birds. As for the 400 DO, I can guarantee that the lens is much better than the photographers who are commenting on it. E-mail me for a copy of today's Bulletin. I used the 400 DO as my big lens on the Wild Britain cruise and on the Gaspe gannet trip.... I use it hand held and on a tripod with both the 1.4X and th 2X II TCs. If the lens were not sharp I would not be using it.
ps: Check out my post tonight...
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
Hi Guerry,
I tried the DO because lugging around the 500 was sapping the enjoyment out of my hiking/photography trips. While my photos are nowhere near the quality produced by Mr. Morris, it's certainly not the fault of the DO. It feels surprisingly comfortable in the hand and the shorter length makes it a little easier to wield. It also takes the 1.4xTC quite well giving you a shorter, lighter 500 with IS. If you're interested in some links/reviews, I can send them to you via a PM.
Steve
Male Pyrrhuloxia
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