Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Dragon Slayer (Great-crested Flycatcher).

  1. #1
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    26,311
    Threads
    3,979
    Thank You Posts

    Default Dragon Slayer (Great-crested Flycatcher).

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    These guys were nesting in a man-made box, which I am not a fan of including in the image for photography, but from experience with this species I knew I could get in closer and go for tight portraits as they landed on the nest-box's roof before going in to feed the young. Here is one of the more impressive catches I got to photograph! No amount of stopping down would have made the body all within dof, so I went for a good compromise to get the full face of both bird and prey sharp. I was praying for it to swing its' body around to face me, or even better square to the sensor, but it was not to be, at least not with this catch.


    Canon 7DII + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC III, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/250s., f/8, ISO 1600, small crop for comp (about 90% FF).

  2. #2
    Avian Moderator Brian Sump's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Location
    Golden, CO
    Posts
    2,658
    Threads
    230
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Impressive is the right word Daniel... my goodness.

    Not much to say from here other than BRAVO, first and foremost. Astounding.

    Otherwise, interesting subjective choice to leave the little feather on the right side (unless it's a cloning remnant or something).

  3. #3
    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Portland, Oregon
    Posts
    8,833
    Threads
    1,358
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Very cool insect macro. Don't know how you could do better....
    Dan Kearl

  4. #4
    BPN Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Lakeland, FL
    Posts
    7,533
    Threads
    2,043
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Dan, really like the image. The feather detail, exposure and background pretty much spot on. One thought, stopping down may not have provided the depth of field for the whole body but taking off the 1.4 may have. Thank you for sharing,
    Joe Przybyla

    "Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams

    www.amazinglight.smugmug.com

  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    143
    Threads
    25
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Well, you certainly got the primary objects (face, eye, dragonfly) in perfect focus. Sometimes the birds cooperate and sometimes they don't but you certainly made the best of it. As an aside, how high do you run your ISO on your 7D2. For me, 1600 is about as high as I go, but you are much better at judging exposure than I am and I am always fearful of underexposing.

  6. #6
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    26,311
    Threads
    3,979
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks guys!

    Brian, yes, that is a piece of feather...now I see it as big as the dragonfly, thanks!! lol.

    James, I'm comfortable up to ISO 3200. I am at 800-1600 most of the time but will bump it up for good opportunities. Here's one I posted a few weeks a go at ISO 3200:
    http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...rn-Screech-Owl

  7. #7
    BPN Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Sunrise, Fl
    Posts
    3,241
    Threads
    525
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Everything pops off that dark BG and just perfect DOF and framing, IMHO. TFS

    ps
    Who needs eye detection...

  8. #8
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Eagle Mountain, Utah
    Posts
    2,709
    Threads
    475
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Cool Shot. Prey dominates the image.
    Wish for better Head Angle.

    TFS

  9. #9
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,127
    Threads
    821
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Daniel:

    The eye/dragonfly combo really does dominate the image, so the OOF back is less noticeable on first glance.

    As I continue to study the image, it is the contrast between the dark background and the relatively bright lower back that makes that area jump out more. You could selectively lower the brightness and contrast of the lower back a bit. I tried it and I find it downplays that area without looking unnatural.

    Excellent capture by you and the bird.

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

  10. #10
    BPN Member Robert Kimbrell's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Ft. Myers Fl.
    Posts
    1,135
    Threads
    99
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Well presented image Daniel. I like the view of the forehead through the wing. I do wish the far wing was a little more in focus.
    Robert Kimbrell



  11. #11
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Ithaca, NY
    Posts
    10,421
    Threads
    1,708
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    A great frame of this flycatcher with that dragonfly. The dark background works very well.

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