Whiskey Jacks

[purplehaze]

These were my first ever bird shots, taken last spring in Northern Ontario. It was thrilling to discover that I could actually shoot birds, though the first BIFs didn't come until summer.

All shot with my Nikkor 70-200 f/4 at 1/1600 sec. shutter priority in case they took wing. Which they did, but my reflexes were too slow to catch them.

#1
[IMG]_DSC3972 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr[/IMG]
f/4.5 at ISO 400 and 200 mm


#2
[IMG]_DSC3960 - Version 2 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr[/IMG]
f/5, ISO 400 and 116 mm

#3
[IMG]_DSC3941 - Version 2 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr[/IMG]
f/5 at ISO 400 and 200 mm

#4
[IMG]_DSC3874 - Version 2 by Janis Hughes, on Flickr[/IMG]
f/4.5 at IS0 250 and 105 mm

[JBW]

Janis, you can shoot anything. good backgrounds, good detail, good colours. Well done.

[purplehaze]

Janis, you can shoot anything.

Would that were so, Brian! I have so far to go.

good backgrounds, good detail, good colours. Well done.

Thanks! Actually, I have a lot with very bad backgrounds as the light was very harsh at the time. But we were eating lunch, so they hung around as long as the food was in evidence, giving me ample opportunity to get some keepers.

[bnnrcn]

Great set !

[dem]

Haha, I wondered what kept them all sitting on the same fence. Some food in exchange for modelling work that is.

Nice series. All shots look quite animated, as if the birds are up to something, not just enjoying the sun.

Nice detail, focus on the eyes, nice background. You must have been only about 2 meters away from that fence. Great job.

[Dave Humphries]

Excellent captures of small birds up close Janis.

Good focus on the eyes too.

(plus everything Brian mentioned)

Well done, Dave

[John 2]

That's a good set Janis in every respect. All excellent.

[Shadowman]

Nice set.

[mknittle]

Nice images Janis, The first one is my favorite.

[NorthernFocus]

You did well, Janis. That 70-200 f4 is an amazing lens for the price. But beware, if you get yourself hooked on the little birdies 200mm won't satisfy you for long...

[Wavelength]

So cute...so sweet...all of them

[purplehaze]

Thanks, all. Glad you like them. Yes, Dem, I was in fact quite close. I was rather appalled to see my hostess put out bread crumbs for them, but I wanted to be invited back, so I held my tongue and took advantage. It was a milestone for me, as I sincerely thought birds were beyond my reach, skill-wise. It gave me the courage to pursue the pelicans and the osprey this summer at my own lake and yes, Dan, I pine for a 400 mm or longer, but eavestroughing and fridge and washer and dryer and, and, and...

[IzzieK]

For a first timer birdie shooter,you did very well here. I like the pose of #1...all of them are really good shot for what you got. Talk about fast reflex -- this is where the remote comes in handy...