Flying Heron and Flying Fish

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Originally Posted by Stagecoach

You are correct Dan and it's something that did not occur to me at all, perhaps due to being stunned by actually capturing this on my first short attempt.

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But it does look like a flying fish. Particularly living where they are common and therefore perhaps being predisposed to see them. As others have pointed out try staying above 1/1000 minimum, preferably higher. Though had the angle been slightly different that bit of blurred tip wouldn't have mattered. Really nice first attempt. Way better than mine.

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Originally Posted by Brownbear

Hi Grahame,

Indeed you'll have to figure out what ISO you can get away with your ideal exposure. Don't forget that any noise/speckles you see in the blue sky (common with high iso's) can easily be reduced without touching the bird. With my Sony 200 it was 400 and with my Nikon D80 it was 800. It's always a challenge with birds in beautiful but typically low light.

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Hi Christina,

I had another chance today and pushed things up a bit. Unfortunately they were not around for long again today, they seem to clear off just after I arrive and fly inland so tomorrow I be there in the morning. But there was one white one hanging around:)

1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 360, 300mm
http://i60.tinypic.com/2h5myat.jpg

1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 400, 300mm
http://i61.tinypic.com/rr38jn.jpg

No noise at all in the sky and a minor bit in the birds, again both exposed well to the right with no clipping. Just wish they had come closer:)



Grahame

Beautiful! Gorgeous exposure and sharp. The first is my favourite for the wing position, beautiful detail and the gorgeous blue water.

And likely with time, for a longer lens. :)

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Originally Posted by Stagecoach

Hi Christina,

I had another chance today and pushed things up a bit. Unfortunately they were not around for long again today, they seem to clear off just after I arrive and fly inland so tomorrow I be there in the morning. But there was one white one hanging around:)

1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 360, 300mm
http://i60.tinypic.com/2h5myat.jpg

1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 400, 300mm
http://i61.tinypic.com/rr38jn.jpg

No noise at all in the sky and a minor bit in the birds, again both exposed well to the right with no clipping. Just wish they had come closer:)



Grahame

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+1 on Christinas :)

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Originally Posted by Brownbear

Beautiful! Gorgeous exposure and sharp. The first is my favourite for the wing position, beautiful detail and the gorgeous blue water.

And likely with time, for a longer lens. :)

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Hi Christina,

I am already considering a longer lens. The old cheapo version Tamron 70-300mm (that these are shot with) I recently purchased to allow a quick replacement of my failed Nikon 18-200VR and allow me to explore a longer focal length, with primary interest in rugby and birds.

Herons are really the only species of decent sized birds here that are both accessible and easily found so at present I'm building up a knowledge base of how to capture them which should go a long way to help me make an informed decision as to which lens system to go for.

Grahame

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Originally Posted by marlunn

+1 on Christinas :)

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Thanks Mark

Hi Grahame, again nice and succesful shots. Uncroopped again? BTW although I know that you follow the threads all the time, I just would like to say that some members are quite happy with Tamron 150-600.

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Originally Posted by bnnrcn

Hi Grahame, again nice and succesful shots. Uncroopped again? BTW although I know that you follow the threads all the time, I just would like to say that some members are quite happy with Tamron 150-600.

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Hi Binnur,

Both of these were cropped by about 30% so I was quite pleased with that result. The increased speed and decreased aperture may have assisted here.

As for lenses I have heard good things of the Tamron 150-600 but I will also consider prime plus a TC. My main consideration is going to be the ability to achieve high image quality because I think that's essential to aim for with bird shots.

Fortunately there's no lens better than what I'm presently using available here so there's no easy temptation to rush out and buy one.

Grahame

Hi Grahame,

Indeed a quality lens makes a huge difference with birds. If you manage to capture a heron and make it part of the family (estuary stocked with fish somewhere in your home) your macro lens will serve you well for the interim. But he/she will place your other critters in great peril.

Parrots?

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Originally Posted by Stagecoach

Hi Christina,

I am already considering a longer lens. The old cheapo version Tamron 70-300mm (that these are shot with) I recently purchased to allow a quick replacement of my failed Nikon 18-200VR and allow me to explore a longer focal length, with primary interest in rugby and birds.

Herons are really the only species of decent sized birds here that are both accessible and easily found so at present I'm building up a knowledge base of how to capture them which should go a long way to help me make an informed decision as to which lens system to go for.

Grahame

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A couple of nice ones here Grahame. I love the light through the wing on the second shot. On white birds that's a good look. You had good so on these. Well done.

Well done Grahame :)