Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: california condor

  1. #1
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Wonga Beach, FNQ
    Posts
    585
    Threads
    98
    Thank You Posts

    Default california condor

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    There was a period of a few years when it wasn't too difficult to see California Condors south of Big Sur. Huge soaring birds, they only normally fly when there is a good breeze or strong thermal, so generally at Big Sur only from late morning to mid afternoon on suitable days, and if you know Big Sur there are a lot of foggy days... So no golden light. I ran into one of the volunteer trackers I have knows over the years a few months ago, and although he can track them high in the peaks it is rare to see them at sea level now. It is not a bad outcome for nature, they were down getting dead sea lions at the sea lion colony, but the colony is now much healthier, so no food there for the condors. They are seeking food elsewhere. But few photos to be had now at the coast. More likely to be seen at Pinncles now, but it was never as easy to get close there.
    This is 470 Fuego, April 2016. Egg was incubated in LA, but hatched in the wild.
    400mm, 1/1600, f6.3, ISO500.

  2. #2
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    This is a mega-difficult shot on sunny days. Bright face in sun, dark and light below in shade ...Aside from the near clipping of the top primaries, I think that you could have done a bit better with the processing. It is sharp on the face and I like that you can see the red eye.

    a
    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,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  3. #3
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    26,266
    Threads
    3,976
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Tough situation you had here, as pointed out by Artie. More room all around, plus a tweaking of the blues (which seem rather "electric" as posted) would be beneficial here. Cool to see these birds, perhaps one day I will too!

  4. #4
    BPN Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Ithaca, NY
    Posts
    10,421
    Threads
    1,708
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    This is a bird you don't see very often. Like the big spread wings and that blue sky.

  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Wonga Beach, FNQ
    Posts
    585
    Threads
    98
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Artie, Daniel and John for the comments. I like to photograph endangered wildlife even if the not best of artistic conditions. This was vertical from horizontal, but no more room. Near-clipping of the primaries is actually no-clipping. I should add some canvas for better framing.

  6. #6
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by greg cowle View Post
    Thanks Artie, Daniel and John for the comments. I like to photograph endangered wildlife even if the not best of artistic conditions. This was vertical from horizontal, but no more room. Near-clipping of the primaries is actually no-clipping. I should add some canvas for better framing.
    YAW Greg. When we are faced with tough conditions is usually when our post-processing skills are most tested; my point above was that you could have done a lot better with the processing. Near-clipping is actually near-clipping :) So yes, adding canvas here would have been a big plus.

    a
    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,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics