More birds

[Davejl]

Another fine winter's day, though bitterly cold so that I could barely operate the camera. Used the Sigma 150-500mm.

Gull in flight


Posh-looking duck

[Wavelength]

Lovely shots....

[Geoff F]

Exposure and focus are good. My only slight complaint is that from your shooting angle you have obscured the gull's head. Good wing detail, but I do like to see a bird's eye.

I'm not sure about the identification of the duck; could it be an imported ornamental bird?

[Davejl]

Exposure and focus are good. My only slight complaint is that from your shooting angle you have obscured the gull's head. Good wing detail, but I do like to see a bird's eye.

I'm not sure about the identification of the duck; could it be an imported ornamental bird?

Thanks Geoff.
I wondered about posting this one, with hidden eye, but I liked the wing shape. I shot with AI Servo focusing, trying to follow the birds. I have plenty of other shots, some with eyes visible, some with birds all over the place. It is the first time I've tried shooting like this and I'm quite pleased with the result. I think I did well to get the bird in the frame as much as I did!
It was the ability to shoot faster that was one of the chief reasons I upgraded from my 450D to a 70D. Today it was so cold in a biting wind with still-frozen ground, however, that it was an uncomfortable session. My hands were very painful.

The duck is presumably an escaped exotic or its descendant. There are a few around here, of different sorts, besides lots of the usual species.

Dave

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Dave,

The gull is sharp, but I do miss the eyes

The duck shot is typical of one I would often shoot - until I realised that like this, you cannot really see its eye either, the knack is to wait a few seconds - they'll usually be scanning about, looking this way and that, so you just have to wait until it turns its head a little further to the right so the sun catches this side of its head and shows us the eye.

It is all a matter of patience - that said, it might turn about and thwart your desired angle, but that's life, wait a little longer (perhaps on a day less cold!) and it will probably come around again.

Keep it up, you seem to have the technical aspects well under control, just a case of improving your timing with a bit more practice and behavioural experience.


I'm pretty sure the "posh-looking duck" is a female Red Crested Pochard.

If you haven't got half a dozen ID books yet - start collecting
It is much easier to ID by flicking through pages than an internet search for an unknown bird, then you can confirm on line if needs be.

Cheers, Dave

[chauncey]

Done a lot of bird/lady pictures Dave...never once gave a whit as to their breed...

[NorthernFocus]

Dave H. pretty well summed up my thoughts. Great techs. Time in the field will produce the desired poses.

[John 2]

Exposure and focus are good. My only slight complaint is that from your shooting angle you have obscured the gull's head. Good wing detail, but I do like to see a bird's eye.

I'm not sure about the identification of the duck; could it be an imported ornamental bird?

My thoughts also. If you have the means to lift the shadows, there is all the detail you need in the ducks eye socket.

[Davejl]

Hi Dave,

Thanks. I do agree about the eye. I was trying to catch the eye of swans and mallards which passed (I noticed that the mallard's head changed from the brilliant green to black with the angle). Unfortunately, I've never seen one of these Red Crested Pochard here before (thanks for the I.D.), so I was keen for a shot. But this place is chaotic for shooting, and the problem I had was trying to avoid another "bird melee" shot. There are hundreds of birds at this location, swimming in front of each other, gulls taking off everywhere, and then joining in a general punch-up when someone arrives with food. Perhaps I shouldn't have gone during half-term holiday. And I need to return on a day when it is more pleasurable to be holding a camera!

Dave

[Davejl]

My thoughts also. If you have the means to lift the shadows, there is all the detail you need in the ducks eye socket.

Thanks, I'll try a selective shadows/highlights edit.

[IzzieK]

Next time bring a tripod. It is easier on the arm and hand bit and although you will still feel the cold you can rest in between when your eyes are not stationed in the viewfinder.

Good job! You've passed the first bit -- technically. Now to get to some serious shooting...

[Shadowman]

Nice set.

[wtlwdwgn]

Great shot of the posh duck.