It Turned Into A Turkey Shoot
Mar 2, 2021 07:52:14 #
I did not follow my own advice a month ago and went to the zoo in the late afternoon to avoid the morning cold. Many animals were taking their afternoon rest. However, it was getting time to feed the eagles which means the Turkey vultures were paying a visit to the zoo to get a share of it. I had my camera for over a year but had never really tried using what Olympus calls the Continuous Auto-focusing + Tracking mode on large soaring birds. So while they are not the charismatic soaring raptors, Turkey vultures are terrific at soaring with the wingspan of a Bald eagle and 25-30 percent of the weight they can soar for hours. It's scientific name is Cathartes aura and is in the same family as the California condor. Excellent time to try the Tracking mode and start practicing before seeking out raptors. This is the first attempt and I've identified some changes for next time which was my goal, but still rather satisfied with the result.
Launching from a 25 foot tall snag.
(Download)
(Download)
(Download)
(Download)
(Download)
(Download)
(Download)
Mar 2, 2021 08:02:51 #
Were these taken at the Detroit Zoo?
Thanks
Brian
We can look north 1/2 mile down our street and see the zoo wall, great place.
Thanks
Brian
We can look north 1/2 mile down our street and see the zoo wall, great place.
Mar 2, 2021 08:06:45 #
Yes, great place for photography too. Thanks for commenting and maybe we can meet up there sometime.
Mar 2, 2021 08:15:26 #
Mar 2, 2021 08:41:01 #
Mar 2, 2021 08:54:14 #
Bison Bud wrote:
These look more like Black Vultures, rather than Turkey Vultures, but I could be wrong.
Definitely Turkey Vultures. The beak color is the big clue.
https://www.avianreport.com/6-simple-steps-to-tell-a-turkey-vulture-from-a-black-vulture/
Mar 2, 2021 08:55:48 #
John from gpwmi wrote:
I did not follow my own advice a month ago and wen... (show quote)
Nice series. Good birds to practice on with your "new" camera.
Mar 2, 2021 11:43:31 #
Mar 2, 2021 12:03:44 #
JohnnyDW
Loc: Richmond and Sunshine Valley British Columbia
Beautiful shots John! Your autofocus/tracking seems to be working well as it stays locked on the birds while
branches appear in the foreground. I practiced my BIF chops on seagulls because they are always around here.
branches appear in the foreground. I practiced my BIF chops on seagulls because they are always around here.
Mar 2, 2021 12:17:35 #
yssirk123 wrote:
Very nicely captured John - well done!
Thank you, Bill. It's a start.
Mar 2, 2021 12:20:37 #
Bison Bud wrote:
These look more like Black Vultures, rather than Turkey Vultures, but I could be wrong.
Thank you for viewing and commenting, Bud. They are Turkey vulture identified by red head and brown wing feathers. Black vultures have both black faces and feathers.
Mar 2, 2021 12:21:35 #
MadMikeOne wrote:
Definitely Turkey Vultures. The beak color is the big clue.
https://www.avianreport.com/6-simple-steps-to-tell-a-turkey-vulture-from-a-black-vulture/
https://www.avianreport.com/6-simple-steps-to-tell-a-turkey-vulture-from-a-black-vulture/
Agree. Thanks for commenting.
Mar 2, 2021 12:22:44 #
MadMikeOne wrote:
Nice series. Good birds to practice on with your "new" camera.
Thank you very much, Mike. Haven't had a chance to get back. but will soon.
Mar 2, 2021 12:25:24 #
kpmac wrote:
You had a successful trial run, John.
Thank you very much, Ken. Well everything seems to work. Need to change some setting and practice.
Mar 2, 2021 12:26:57 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.