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Thread: Bullfinch

  1. #1
    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
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    Default Bullfinch

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Canon 1DX Mk2
    f/4 400mm DO mk2
    f/6.3
    1/800
    ISO 2000

    During the winter months these birds gorge themselves on these Sea Buckthorn berries....I discovered a place near to my hometown where they grow along the side of a quiet road....It was perfect, I parked up, remained in the vehicle, and the birds never seemed bothered....My only issue was getting one in clear view, as they were usually in amongst the bushes...Lucky for me this bird was feeding big style out in the open.....HH, I was in the drivers seat shooting through the open passengers window...ACR, Topaz NR and PS2022.

    Will

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    Looks good Will, I really like the image. A bird I am not familiar with so nice to see. Nice subtle colors on the bird, detail looks good, perfect perch and background. 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

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Will I like the Buckthorn, cool, yet different as a perch and the colour of the berries ties nicely with some of the BKG colours.

    Were you HH or resting the lens on the door with the window dropped? Have a bean bag always in the car, fill it with seed, works two fold. I think you could have gone to ISO3200 to gain more SS, especially HH and the IQ would not have suffer, but helped. If you have the time double process and drop the Clarity on the BKG. Rarely do you get clean bills, they are mucky feeders for sure.

    TFS
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Will , oh i do love this species .
    Never really had a good chance of getting close to them here , albeit they are here whole year .
    And this one is special with the Bullfinch sitting and feeding on that bush ... having some nice colors to work with .
    Glad you got lucky with this guy , coming more into a open space .
    Personally I think the image looks overall nice and the processing looks good .

    Your shooting settings might not have been ideal for a " moving while feeding " subject .... so I would have rather upped the Iso to gain more SS .

    TFS Andreas

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Looks great, fun when fruit-eating birds come to the edge for clear and clean views like this. The dirty bill is fine for feeding images like this. I'd be OK with a bit more at right for a 3:2 ratio, but OK as is as well. Any reason you did not get out of the car for more flexibility of moving around? Would they have spooked?

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    Very nice frame Will! I like the three branches poking out to the right, it balances out the comp nicely. I like the feeding behavior and wish I had this species to shoot. I agree with Steve about getting a beanbag...I've had one for years and always loved using it when I lived in Colorado.

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Nice one Will, love the composition and the background, it all looks very natural. I see your Bullfinch is of the paler coloured type, I am unsure if the pale indicative of anything in particular of if it is down to regionalisation.

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    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
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    Thanks guys...much appreciated....I have a beanbag in the vehicle, but as I was in the drivers seat and with the front passenger window open....I couldn't use it....I did try going into the location in reverse, but I was too close to the birds and they were getting a little spooked.....so sitting in the vehicle pointing my lens to the passengers side was my best option....infact it was my only option...If I emerged from the vehicle this also spooked them....I agree about the SS...these birds are fast when plucking the berries.....Hi Jon....not sure about the colours...I did lighten the pinks a little, as I thought it looked too orange....could it be the strong colours on the berries which were surrounding the bird.....

    Will

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Will, you should look at how Artie uses a tripod in the passenger seat, might be an idea for the future. I guess the 400 is a bit short to rest the hood on the bean bag?
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  11. #10
    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Will, you should look at how Artie uses a tripod in the passenger seat, might be an idea for the future. I guess the 400 is a bit short to rest the hood on the bean bag?
    I'll have a look at the tripod scenario..Yes lens is too short Steve and too awkward ...withoot getting a sair neck the next day

    Will

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Worth a punt Will and look at Flexline ball head, they are so good and I'm probably bias for many reasons, but also ideal for travelling as they are so lightweight. Had the prototype, did a review and then bought it ASAP, expensive, but worth the investment. A nice addition for Albania.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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  14. #12
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Will if you need any advice on packing, ie some items you may not think of, drop me an email.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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