cmc65

Most of the young are out of their nests now an two have been showing up on the pond like clockwork. Ive been clicking a zillion frames and not having good results with the full frame. I'm going to pack it away for this coming week and use the 7d 2 for awhile again. The birds are very far away and the huge crops are problematic with the 5ds r and the 100-400L mk2. I have to get closer...so I got a boat instead of a longer lens, we will see how that works out.

1/2000 AV 5.6 ISO 1250 @400mm

(Download)

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

That is a great shot with the bird just flying into the light.
Good luck with the boat, looking forward to pics.
Btw, very clever way to get a boat. Lol! "I had to dear, it's the only way we can get close"

cmc65

Thanks for looking Bassman. On this particular stretch of water early in the morning there is either really good light with the sun just coming over the trees or deep shade under the trees. Selecting the correct exposure for the body is proving to be my downfall. I choose the widest aperture to minimize the background, and try to use 1/1000 to 1/2000 because they really can come in quite fast. The 5ds r is not happy with iso above 800 and I'm blowing out the bodies on these osprey. trying to find the balance is hard. Practice, practice ( and in this case give the other camera body a chance ) It may narrow down what I am doing wrong. It was easy to get a boat and motor for my 50th wedding anniversary, I simply talked about really needing a 600mm II lens to solve my distance problem. My husband thought he was coming out ahead by surprising me with the boat and motor.

r.grossner Loc: Rockford IL & Sarasota FL

Very nice shot. I like the light, color and eye focus. Exposure and PP details? I'm looking at a G2 Tamron or Sigma C 150-600 for "getting closer" for birding. Cheaper than a boat and I wont take my D750 in a Kayak. I have shot Bald Eagles in Canada and find a rocking boat to be a PITA. BTW we have an Ospray nest at the end of the street next to Sarasota bay and now that the youngsters have learned to fly is mostly vacant. I know what you mean by huge crop while shooting a pileated woodpecker in a pine across the street on an dull overcast day with a 70-300. PP was required.

cmc65

Thank you for taking the time to look and comment r.grossner. I am lucky that most of the water I want to explore is inshore. Either fresh water ponds or salt ponds. I ended up with a 14ft jon boat and an electric trolling motor with 55 lb thrust. We'll see how it works out. I think it will be stable enough for what I want to do , I have it trailered and will have to put it in and out whenever I use it, at least for this year. If you only see posts of bubbles in the days to come you'll know it didn't work out so well.

Carolina Wings Loc: Flew from North Carolina to Pennsylvania

Really nice flight shot

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Nice shot, cmc65!

angler Loc: StHelens England

Good shot Cmc65.

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Beautiful download!