UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

On Monday I went to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge to see if migratory birds had arrived and if the resident birds were out. It was a sunny day in the low 40s F and a low wind. For all of the birds shots I used my new (to me) Sony 600f/4 GM with a 2xtc. I found that this configuration of the lens is very sharp, but very sensitive to movement. Except for a few later shots of small birds on a rail for which I used a monopod, all shots were handheld. The best results were using the car windows and leaning against the car. Only a few free hand shots were useful. Another thing I learned was the 1200mm focal length made obtaining focus on flying birds difficult with the narrow field of view. Any future BIF pursuits will probably be without a tc.

The first 6 shots were taken in the area before the auto tour route. Usually dry fields were flooded. I used auto ISO and had a wide variance (e.g, #1 is 5000; #3 is 1250 and #4 is 6400). I adjusted the next few shots to 100 and 160, but I had to lighten the results in post-processing.

Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Guard geese (outside the entrance)

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My usual BIF capture

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kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

A fine set, Mike. That reach does really make it difficult to handhold that combo. You did a great job.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Great set!!! Mike!!!

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Thanks, Ken, you learn by doing.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

I appreciate your generous comment, Frank.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Not bad at all!

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Nice set Mike, I really like the first Coot--up close and personal

Amator21 Loc: California

A very nice set. I especially like your "usual BIF picture"1
Poul.

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Very nice bird images Mike!

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Thanks, Barbara, on the job training.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Thanks, Jack, the coots and red wing blackbirds were plentiful and did not fly away.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Thanks, Poul, good lens but bad reactions (LOL).

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Thanks for your kind comment, Karin.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Fine job!

We're in bird mode here and walking and taking pics a few days a week. Good exercise and fun too!

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Thanks, Dave. I had to try out the new lens.