tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

WMarcoux and I were having a discussion earlier (Topic: Kingfisher) about how to best capture Kingfishers, Pelicans and other downward-diving fish-eating birds. The problem is how to keep track of them when they're making their final diving descent because thus far (and I'm new to this technique) the birds (Pelicans in my case) drop faster than I can keep track with hand-held camera & lens. (Canon 5DMII + 100-400 4.5L IS or 300 f4 L IS). I'm wondering if a gimbal head might help or am I destined to be outsmarted by those pesky pelicans? Help! I'm getting more pelican poop than pictures to be proud of!

DickC Loc: NE Washington state

Wow! I should have stayed out of this post! I haven't a clue. Sorry! :|

tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

I don't either. That's why I wrote the post. Besides, almost everybody is clueless here in the UHH:)

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

I am still working on the same thing. But, I have watched others take great shots and they all use hand held. Check out swampgator's shots in the BIF/BOW section. Personally, I think it just takes practice, and then more practice. i know I could never do it using a tripod, but that is just me.

tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

Thank you Elliern. I definitely agree that practice makes perfect but I'm always looking for shortcuts to success:) When it comes to capturing birds in flight I need all the help I can get. Thanks again for the feedback.

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

LOL...I love short cuts and easier is always the best.
Let me know if you find any good short cuts. Right now I try to shoot some BIFs every day. Most go directly to the trash can, but sometimes I surprise myself and find one I really like.
:)

tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

I usually subscribe to Rule No 1: If you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin'. I'll let you know if I find the magic potion to BIFs if you'll do the same:):):)

HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

A gimbal head may be a solution. Some fellow hoggers that have captured bif's (Bird In Flight)can be spotted using the "Search" function above. A link below should help:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search.jsp?q=bif+&u=&s=0

Check out some of their avatars & posts - may be a handy resource in the future!

Best wishes!!

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

Ya mean like these brown pelicans from last month? Or this osprey?

I shoot stuff like this hand held. Tripod with gimbal head is of little use when trying to track and follow these birds.

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

Also consider getting the birds when they are leaving the water after the dive.

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

amehta Loc: Boston

As you practice, you should get more used to keeping up. One thing you could do is zoom out so you can keep the bird in the frame. You won't get the best shots, but you will get the experience with the speed which will allow you to zoom in as you get used to it.

tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

WOW! I love 'em all but especially the third shot where you nailed him right when his head hit the water. My only "near miss" was similar but badly angled and not very sharp. I'll stick with hand-held as per your suggestion and keep practicing even though I have a long way to go before I'm as good as you and these beautiful bird shots. Thanks for sharing and I'll post later when I have something worthy of consideration. Cheers Bird Man:)

amehta Loc: Boston

BTW, if it was easy, everyone would get the shots, and you'd have to find something else to get "special" shots. :-)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

TM, I knew we could count on Swampy to save the day! He always has great stuff. and he does it all with a 300 f4. Imagine what he could do with a real lens!! Swampy, just kidding! :lol:
TM, there's a huge diff between a kingfisher and a pesky pelican. One is huge and slow moving, the other is nearly a stealth bomber!
First, once your skills get better, you will struggle with your 5dll. I'm not saying change it, but you'll have to get that much better, as it has only one cross-point, the center one.
So, keep your birds in the center. Also use AIservo. Depending on the background, I sometimes enable all my focus points, since one of then is likely to track the bird, and the servo should keep him there.
With your zoom,(it's a light lens, but I realize that light is relative), zoom back so you can find the bird and lock focus, then once your following him, zoom in and start firing shots. Anticipation is always recommended, and once focus is Locked, you can do either continuous or control it yourself. I rarely use a burst, but anticipate the bird and shoot. Shutter lag is pretty short on your camera. And as long as the bird is going straight down or accross, they are pretty easy shots. Tough is when they are coming straight at you.
The 100-400 is a pretty slow lens, but you already know that. Shoot it wide open and only on sunny days for faster focus and good detail and color.
Use as low an ISO as possible. On sunny days I try to stay at 100. I'll use about 1000th and pan with the birds on Tv. Also try auto ISO on nice days as it will keep the ISO low and the lens as wide open as possible. Only jack up the ISO if you're out of options. Bird feathers are very delicate and even slight noise reduction will kill the detail. Without feather detail, you actually don't have a shot, just an image of a bird. We see that way to often.
I shoot the 5ll just as you do, and it's a struggle sometimes. Just keep working on it. If you get too frustrated, the mklll will do wonders for the frustration! :lol:
good luck
SS

SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina

You might try getting some very young pelicans and training them to perform at your command. That way you'll know what they're going to do, when they're going to do it, and where they're going to do it.

:roll:

Then just keep doing it until you get it right.