Just shakin' the water out of my feathers!
Sep 12, 2014 11:45:47 #
I spent the day yesterday at E B Forsythe NWR in NJ. The tide was quite high due to the recent super moon so there weren't many shorebirds to photograph but there were Terns, both common and Forster's, feeding at several of the sluiceways. I have hundreds of pictures of Terns in flight and was trying to get something a bit different. One thing that I had noticed about most species of Terns that plunge dive is that they come up out of the water and at some point, shake the water out of their feathers. That takes about a half second and I had to spend some time figuring out about when they would do it so I could be ready. I think I did pretty good as the attached photos will bear out.
Getting something "Different" has been one of my goals in improving my bird photography. I have been concentrating on photographing behaviors such as preening, feeding, fighting, caring for young etc. I'm looking to do better compositionally, too.
All were shot with the Canon 7D, 100-400mm L, ISO 800, f/10. All were shot at 1/5000 except the last one was 1/2500.
Getting something "Different" has been one of my goals in improving my bird photography. I have been concentrating on photographing behaviors such as preening, feeding, fighting, caring for young etc. I'm looking to do better compositionally, too.
All were shot with the Canon 7D, 100-400mm L, ISO 800, f/10. All were shot at 1/5000 except the last one was 1/2500.
Sep 12, 2014 12:02:24 #
You have caught them in such unusual poses. I have never seen a bird flying upside down; really unique photos, well done!
Sep 12, 2014 12:42:35 #
Sep 13, 2014 08:03:18 #
Sep 13, 2014 08:16:37 #
Sep 13, 2014 08:36:51 #
Sep 13, 2014 09:09:38 #
Sep 13, 2014 10:48:14 #
Sep 13, 2014 11:46:59 #
Really nice shots. Ive seen them shake off water before but never caught one w/ the camera. Right place, right time makes for great pictures. Gary
Sep 13, 2014 11:49:23 #
Photo Girl wrote:
You have caught them in such unusual poses. I have never seen a bird flying upside down; really unique photos, well done!
The bird isn't flying upside down, it's wings, body, and feet are in the regular position. These birds can rotate just their heads when (as the title states) they are shaking off water.
Ed, excellent flight shots of these small fast flyers!
Tough shots done well.
Sep 13, 2014 12:23:42 #
Sep 13, 2014 13:33:50 #
Swamp Gator wrote:
The bird isn't flying upside down, it's wings, body, and feet are in the regular position. These birds can rotate just their heads when (as the title states) they are shaking off water.
Ed, excellent flight shots of these small fast flyers!
Tough shots done well.
Ed, excellent flight shots of these small fast flyers!
Tough shots done well.
Thanks, Phil, I appreciate your comments. I can't emphasize more the need to practice when shooting BIFs. Especially the smaller, faster, more erratic birds. I have always recommended finding a flock of gulls and practicing on them, even if you have to bait them in with some McDonalds French fries! You will soon be better at getting the bird in the viewfinder, focusing, and framing it for the shot. I do this myself whenever I get a chance. On Thursday, I took about 1200 shots of the Terns. After about the first 8-900 or so, I decided to focus on this particular facet of their flight. I don't really need more Tern flight shots. I already have thousands in my library. Those first shots were a warm-up for the game of trying to nail the shake-out. I ended up with about 18 shots of the shake, not all of which were that interesting...no water droplets or weird position etc.
I'm not saying this for your benefit. I know you are the master of BIFs I am saying it for all those out there who are trying to get better at this. It takes practice just like any other skill.
Sep 13, 2014 13:35:13 #
Photo Girl wrote:
You have caught them in such unusual poses. I have never seen a bird flying upside down; really unique photos, well done!
Not really upside down but they really twist their bodies around. Thanks for commenting.
Sep 13, 2014 13:35:36 #
Sep 13, 2014 13:35:59 #
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